Cheese and curd market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

The Polish cheese and curd market expanded steadily in value from $2.4 billion in 2018 to $2.6 billion in 2021, reflecting consistent demand growth.

In 2020, rising consumer interest in traditional farmhouse cheeses and curd, highlighted by the establishment of a national Curd Day, helped support market growth to $2.5 billion, while the presence of hundreds of small farm dairies alongside large producers indicated a diversifying supply base.

A sharp market value increase to $3.2 billion occurred in 2022, primarily due to higher retail prices for packaged cheeses and a consumer shift toward more expensive eco-friendly and aged cheese varieties. This upward trend continued, with the market reaching $3.8 billion by 2024.

Production cheese and curd in Poland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Poland, the output value of cheese and curd reached 2 964 million US dollars in 2020, marking a 3.1% year-on-year increase. Production grew by 2.4% between 2018 and 2020, translating to an annualized rate of 0.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 874 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 0.7% occurring that same year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Poland ranked 8th globally in cheese and curd production.

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

Cheese and curd production in Poland rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 955 thousand tonnes, up 1.2% from 2019. However, between 2018 and 2020, production fell by 43.2%, averaging an annual decline of 17.2%. The peak was in 2017 at 1 680 thousand tonnes, with the steepest drop of 45.5% in 2018, followed by a 3.1% increase in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Poland in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports cheese and curd from Poland

Exports in kind, K t

Poland exported 262.9 thousand tonnes of cheese and curd in 2020, a 2.1% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 11%, with an annualized rate of 3.5%. The largest decrease was 1.1% in 2019, while the biggest gain was 9.9% in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland's cheese and curd exports in kind were spread across numerous partner countries. Germany accounted for 15.5% of exports, Czechia for 11.2%, and Italy for 7.9%, together making up just 34.7% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of cheese and curd exports from Poland stood at 923.2 million US dollars, up 3.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 15.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.9%. The highest value was 929.5 million US dollars in 2018, which also saw the largest increase of 16.3%, while the biggest decline of 4.3% occurred in 2019.

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

The structure of Poland's cheese and curd exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diversified. Germany contributed 12.8% of export value, Czechia 11.8%, and Italy 8.5%, collectively accounting for only 33.1% of total flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Poland

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year upward trend, Poland's cheese and curd import volume declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 97.6 thousand tonnes, down 6.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports rose by 9.9%, with an annualized growth rate of 3.2%. The peak was 104.0 thousand tonnes in 2019, which also recorded the largest increase of 12.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy formed the main cluster for Poland's cheese and curd imports in kind. Germany held 43.4% of imports, the Netherlands 13.8%, and Italy 7.3%, together representing 64.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, cheese and curd imports into Poland decreased. In 2020, imports totaled 422.4 million US dollars, a slight decline of 0.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 21.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.7%. The highest value was 426.4 million US dollars in 2019, while the largest increase of 14.1% occurred in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy remained the key destinations for Poland's cheese and curd imports in value terms. Germany accounted for 37.9% of import value, the Netherlands for 12.6%, and Italy for 11.3%, collectively taking 61.7% of total flows.

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

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