Cheese and curd market in Slovenia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for cheese and curd in Slovenia showed relative stability between 2018 and 2023, fluctuating within a narrow band around 50,000 tonnes annually. After a minor dip to 48,950 tonnes in 2020, consumption recovered to surpass 50,000 tonnes in 2021 and remained above this level through 2023, reaching 50,597 tonnes.

By 2024, broader market trends began to influence the sector. The digital transformation of retail, marked by the significant growth of online sales platforms, started to alter consumer purchasing habits for fast-moving consumer goods, including cheese and curd. Simultaneously, increased consumer awareness of health and sustainability spurred product innovation and a shift towards convenient, ready-to-eat options within the category.

Production cheese and curd in Slovenia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

Slovenia's cheese and curd production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 31 thousand tonnes, which represents a 1.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 6.2%, averaging an annual decline of 2.1%.

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

Exports cheese and curd from Slovenia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Slovenia exported 9 438 tonnes of cheese and curd, marking a slight increase of 1.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 6.1%, with an average annual decline of 2.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 9 274 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 10 254 tonnes. The largest year-over-year drop occurred in 2019 with a 9.5% decrease, whereas the biggest gain was in 2018 with a 2.1% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were the top destinations for Slovenia's cheese and curd exports by volume. Italy accounted for 37.3% of exports, Croatia for 35.1%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 13.2%. Together, these three countries made up 85.7% of Slovenia's total export flows in this category.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Slovenia's cheese and curd exports reached 36.3 million US dollars in 2020, showing a gradual increase of 4.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 6.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 37.1 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 6.3% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2018 with an 8.8% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina consistently led as the top markets for Slovenia's cheese and curd exports by value. Italy held 36.6% of export value, Croatia 33.8%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina 14.9%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 85.3% of Slovenia's total export value in this sector.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Slovenia

Imports in kind, t

Slovenia imported 27 268 tonnes of cheese and curd in 2020, reflecting a modest rise of 2.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 9.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.0%. The largest decrease was in 2019 with a 0.5% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2018 with a 7.8% gain.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Croatia, and Italy were the key sources for Slovenia's cheese and curd imports by volume. Germany supplied 39.7% of imports, Croatia 13.8%, and Italy 13.7%. Together, these three countries represented 67.2% of Slovenia's total import flows in this category.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Slovenia imported approximately 118.6 million US dollars worth of cheese and curd, indicating a measured increase of 4.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 13.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.3%. The largest decline was in 2019 with a 2.2% decrease, while the most substantial increase was in 2018 with an 11.3% rise.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Germany, Italy, and Croatia remained the principal suppliers of cheese and curd to Slovenia by value. Germany accounted for 38.2% of import value, Italy for 17.4%, and Croatia for 14.0%. Combined, these three countries made up 69.5% of Slovenia's total import value in this sector.

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

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