Cheese and curd market in Saudi Arabia

Earlier Report Observations

The cheese and curd market in Saudi Arabia expanded from 272.6 thousand tons in 2018 to 385.6 thousand tons in 2023. This initial growth was fueled by rising consumer awareness of cheese as a nutrient-rich food and the entry of new players introducing diverse products like feta, halloumi, and other cheeses made from goat and sheep milk.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, global supply chain disruptions posed challenges, but Saudi companies increased investments in new production lines for fresh and smoked cheese. Simultaneously, a shift in consumer behavior towards healthier, protein-rich options prompted launches of fortified fresh cheese with probiotics and vitamins, sustaining market expansion.

Subsequent growth was bolstered by the opening of new production facilities from local and international companies, boosting domestic output. Intensified competition among major firms led to specialized low-fat and fresh cheese varieties, while consumer preferences increasingly favored fresh and smoked cheese with new flavors. Updated food safety and packaging regulations further supported market standards and consumer confidence.

Production cheese and curd in Saudi Arabia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Saudi Arabia ranked as the 30th largest producer of cheese and curd globally, positioning it among the world's leading producers in this category.

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

Cheese and curd production in Saudi Arabia grew for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 253.0 thousand tonnes. This represented a 6.5% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 40.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of Saudi Arabia's cheese and curd production declined in 2020 to 979 million US dollars, a 13.8% decrease from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 32.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 1 136 million US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 28.4%.

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

Exports cheese and curd from Saudi Arabia

Exports in kind, K t

Saudi Arabia's cheese and curd exports grew for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 89.6 thousand tonnes—a significant 29.7% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 27.3%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 8.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 65.7 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 6.5% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates (22.7% of export volume), Yemen (14.8%), and Kuwait (14.7%) were the top destinations for Saudi Arabia's cheese and curd exports, collectively accounting for 52.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of Saudi Arabia's cheese and curd exports increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 346.6 million US dollars—a 5.0% year-over-year rise. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 19.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Arab Emirates (25.8% of export value), Kuwait (17.0%), and Oman (13.6%) remained the leading destinations for Saudi Arabia's cheese and curd exports in value terms, together representing 56.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Saudi Arabia

Imports in kind, K t

Saudi Arabia's cheese and curd imports increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 183.9 thousand tonnes—a robust 16.2% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 5.1%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 137.4 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 21.5% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Denmark (28.4% of import volume), Egypt (12.6%), and Poland (10.2%) continued to be the main suppliers of cheese and curd to Saudi Arabia, jointly forming 51.2% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of Saudi Arabia's cheese and curd imports rose for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 693.2 million US dollars—a modest 1.0% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 4.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 628.7 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 5.0% that year, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 9.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Saudi Arabia's cheese and curd imports in value terms were characterized by a broad spread across markets. Denmark (24.6% of import value), Poland (11.7%), and Egypt (9.6%) were the top suppliers, but together accounted for only 45.9% of total import flows.

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

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