Cheese and curd market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

The cheese and curd market in South America experienced a general upward trend from 2018 to 2023, increasing its total volume by over 450 thousand tons. After a minor dip in 2019, the market grew significantly in 2020 and 2021, with the latter year seeing an expansion of over 12%. Although growth paused slightly in 2022, the market resumed its climb in 2023, reaching 2 660 thousand tons.

A key development in 2022 was a sharp 45% drop in the farm-gate milk price paid to producers in Brazil from mid-2022 onward. This decrease in a primary input cost supported higher domestic cheese production and boosted export volumes. Concurrently, the market was influenced by a global consumer shift toward natural and protein-rich fresh cheeses, which bolstered demand. Regional specializations, such as the certified buffalo cheese from Marajó in Pará state and the sustained popularity of traditional *queijo coalho*, also contributed to product diversification and market activity.

The strong market growth in 2021 and the continued expansion in 2023 solidified the overall increase, adding over 400 thousand tons to the market volume across the five-year period despite the brief stabilization in 2022.

Production cheese and curd in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, South America produced 2,278 thousand tons of cheese and curd, representing a 5.6% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 11.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 1.8%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018 at 7.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, cheese and curd production in South America saw an upturn. In 2020, the output was valued at $10,594 million, marking a slight year-over-year gain of 0.8%. However, from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 14.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at $10,511 million, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 13.7%.

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

Exports cheese and curd from South America

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, South America exported 83,465 tons of cheese and curd, which is 9.6% higher than the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 29.2%, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of 8.9%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 1.9%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018 with a rise of 20.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export structure for cheese and curd in kind remained fragmented. Russia accounted for 18.9% of exports, Mexico for 10.9%, and the United States for 3.9%, with these three countries together representing only 33.7% of total flows, and no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, cheese and curd exports from South America increased. In 2020, exports amounted to $388.3 million, showing a year-over-year improvement of 4.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at $371.1 million, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 3.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, cheese and curd exports in value terms from South America were not heavily concentrated. Russia accounted for 22.0% of exports, Mexico for 10.6%, and the United States for 4.8%, with these three countries together capturing only 37.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to South America

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year drop, cheese and curd imports into South America increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 83,784 tons, which is 7.6% higher year-over-year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 77,875 tons, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a decrease of 6.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, cheese and curd imports in kind to South America were characterized by a broad spread across markets. The United States accounted for 16.3% of imports, the Netherlands for 9.0%, and Germany for 8.5%, with these three countries together representing only 33.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, South America imported a total of $463.8 million worth of cheese and curd, marking a moderate rise of 9.4% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 4.2%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at $424.1 million, while the highest was in 2018 at $466.1 million. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 9.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, cheese and curd imports in value terms to South America were not heavily concentrated. The United States accounted for 17.7% of imports, the Netherlands for 9.2%, and New Zealand for 7.0%, with these three countries together capturing only 33.9% of total flows.

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

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