Cheese and curd market in Peru

Earlier Report Observations

The Peruvian cheese and curd market expanded from 56 061 tonnes in 2018 to 63 027 tonnes in 2021. This growth was primarily driven by the post-pandemic economic recovery and a shift in consumer habits towards more balanced nutrition, which increased demand. During this period, the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri) actively supported the sector by promoting family livestock farming and organizing events like the Peruvian Cheese Salon to improve market access for producers.

After reaching its peak, the market volume contracted to 53 220 tonnes in 2022 and further to 50 179 tonnes in 2023. In value terms, however, the market grew to $296.6 million in 2023, indicating a rise in prices or a shift towards higher-value products. Throughout these years, Midagri continued its efforts to boost production, explore international markets, and foster innovation through events and support for artisanal producers.

The market's development has been supported by sustained government initiatives, including Midagri's promotion of the production chain and events that connect producers with domestic and international buyers. Consumer interest in over 50 differentiated cheese varieties, featuring innovations with ingredients like oregano, herbs, olives, rocoto, and wine, also contributed to the sector's dynamism.

Production cheese and curd in Peru

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

World map of production of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

Peru's cheese and curd production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 54 088 tonnes, marking a 1.2% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 16.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Peru in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Peru's cheese and curd production has continued its upward trend for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 258.0 million US dollars, showing a 2.4% year-over-year increase. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 19.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Peru in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cheese and curd from Peru

Exports in kind, t

Peru's cheese and curd exports saw a decline in 2020, following two years of growth. Exports reached 434 tonnes, representing a significant decrease of 20.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 48.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.1%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 542 tonnes, with the largest increase of 67.7% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Peru in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Peru's cheese and curd exports in volume terms were heavily concentrated, with Chile accounting for 97.0% of total shipments.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Peru in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Peru's cheese and curd export values showed notable fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was in 2017, rising to a peak in 2019, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 070 thousand US dollars, a 19.0% drop from the prior year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 557 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 78.0% also in that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Peru in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, nearly all of Peru's cheese and curd exports in value terms were directed to Chile, which held a 97.9% share of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Peru in value, 2017-2020

Imports cheese and curd to Peru

Imports in kind, t

Peru's cheese and curd imports declined in 2020 after two years of growth. The country imported 7 553 tonnes, indicating a moderate decrease of 9.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 21.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.6%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 8 316 tonnes, and the largest increase of 17.1% also occurred that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Peru in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (37.3% of import volume), Argentina (17.1%), and Uruguay (10.6%) consistently led Peru's cheese and curd import sources, together making up 65.0% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Peru in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Peru's cheese and curd import values fell in 2020, ending a two-year rise. Imports totaled 36 227 thousand US dollars, a 5.6% decline from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 19%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.0%. The peak was in 2019 at 38 384 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 12.9% also in that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Peru in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In the 2017-2020 period, the United States (34.8% of import value), Argentina (15.0%), and Uruguay (9.0%) formed the core markets for Peru's cheese and curd imports, collectively accounting for 58.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Peru in value, 2017-2020