Cheese and curd market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Portuguese cheese and curd market expanded steadily, rising from 142.6 thousand tons to 152.0 thousand tons. This growth was supported by a consumer shift toward convenient formats like sliced and grated cheese, as well as increasing interest in traditional regional varieties with protected origin status. Investments in modernizing production facilities, such as the Lactifeita factory in Mafra, aimed to meet growing demand for fresh cheese and curd, particularly from retail chains.

In 2021, market volume surged by 46% to 221.9 thousand tons, driven by a 63% increase in domestic production to 167.3 thousand tons. This leap resulted from earlier capacity investments coming online, coupled with sustained demand for convenient and differentiated products. The market consolidation intensified in 2022 following Lactalis's acquisition of Lacticínios do Paiva, strengthening major players. However, the market remained deficit, with a shortfall of 64 thousand tons indicating supply-demand tensions.

By 2023, market volume contracted to 170.2 thousand tons, a 27% decrease from the prior year. Portuguese cheese production also fell sharply to 104.4 thousand tons, aligning with the ongoing structural supply deficit noted earlier.

Production cheese and curd in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Portugal's cheese and curd production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 567.6 million US dollars, showing a measured increase of 3.4% compared to 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, production grew by 9%, which equates to an annualized growth rate of 2.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2018-2021

World map of production of cheese and curd, 2018-2021

Portugal's cheese and curd production volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, 167.3 thousand tonnes were produced, representing a strong year-over-year growth of 62.8%. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, production surged by 90.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 24.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports cheese and curd from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Portugal's cheese and curd export volume increased. In 2021, exports reached 9 557 tonnes, rising by 16.7% compared to the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 8 192 tonnes, with the largest decline of 8.1% also occurring in that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, Angola, and France were the principal destinations for Portugal's cheese and curd exports in volume terms. Spain accounted for 33.0% of exports, Angola for 17.7%, and France for 7.9%, together making up 58.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year drop, cheese and curd shipments from Portugal increased. In 2021, exports stood at 50.3 million US dollars, up by 28.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 5%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 39.0 million US dollars, while the largest decline of 10.6% occurred in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the geographical structure of Portugal's cheese and curd exports in value terms was highly diversified. Spain accounted for 18.9% of exports, Angola for 18.1%, and France for 10.9%, together representing only 47.9% of total flows. The remaining 52.1% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021

Imports cheese and curd to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decrease, cheese and curd import volumes into Portugal increased. In 2021, imports registered 64 130 tonnes, marking a substantial gain of 11.7% over the past year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2020 at 57 435 tonnes, with the largest decline of 7.9% also in that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, t

In the period from 2018 to 2021, three principal markets—Spain, Germany, and France—together accounted for 70.5% of total cheese and curd imports into Portugal in volume terms.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year fall, cheese and curd imports into Portugal increased. In 2021, imports reached 287.8 million US dollars, representing a significant increase of 20.7% relative to the prior year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 10.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 238.4 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 5.2% also in that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, Germany, and France were the principal destinations for Portugal's cheese and curd imports in value terms. Spain accounted for 41.1% of imports, Germany for 14.9%, and France for 14.2%, jointly making up 70.1% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Portugal in value, 2018-2021