Cheese and curd market in Sudan

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, cheese and curd production in Sudan gradually increased from 208.6 thousand tons to 211.0 thousand tons, while market volume rose to 211.2 thousand tons. During this time, local dairies produced various cheese types including traditional braided cheese, Romani, and Mozzarella, though some lines were discontinued due to low demand and economic inefficiency. The unique Doum cheese, a Sudanese specialty with export potential, highlighted opportunities for investment in technology, packaging, and marketing.

From 2021, the sector faced mounting challenges. Production fell to 209.1 thousand tons in 2021 and further to 202.9 thousand tons in 2022, with market volume dropping to 203.3 thousand tons. The decline accelerated in 2023 when ongoing conflict disrupted the economy and 60% of dairy companies and production lines in Khartoum halted operations amid soaring production costs and heavy losses. Despite these pressures, 2023 saw a slight recovery to 204.8 thousand tons of production and a market volume of 205.3 thousand tons, indicating some resilience amid the crisis.

The war continued to strain the market into 2024, driving up food prices including cheese due to currency depreciation on the black market, higher import and transport costs, and multiple levies. Supply chains were particularly affected in North and South Kordofan states, where road closures, looting, and fees imposed by Rapid Support Forces raised distribution expenses. Meanwhile, strategic projects aimed at developing Sudan's dairy sector emphasized the role of livestock in food security, and production of Doum cheese persisted as a traditional product.

Production cheese and curd in Sudan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

Sudan's cheese and curd production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 211.0 K t of cheese and curd, representing a 0.6% increase compared to the previous year.

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

Exports cheese and curd from Sudan

Exports in kind, t

The export market for cheese and curd showed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017, then surged to a peak in 2019, with a 22-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sudan's cheese and curd export volume was recorded at 7.8 t, marking a sharp decrease of 85.6% year-over-year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 54.0 t, which represented a substantial increase of 502.7% from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia was the primary destination for Sudan's cheese and curd exports in kind, accounting for 75.5% of total flows. Other markets formed a long tail of smaller trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market in value terms exhibited considerable instability throughout the timeframe. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2019, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 28 times. In 2020, Sudan exported cheese and curd worth 29 K $ US, which is 87.9% less than the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 240 K $ US, representing a dramatic increase of 708.1% from the year before.

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

Throughout the 2017–2020 period, Saudi Arabia was the main buyer of cheese and curd from Sudan in value terms, accounting for 78.0% of total exports. Other trading partners held relatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Sudan

Imports in kind, t

The import market for cheese and curd in kind demonstrated notable volatility during this period. Imports bottomed out in 2018, then peaked in 2017, with a 7.3-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Sudan imported 242.5 t of cheese and curd, showing a significant gain of 160.6% compared to the previous year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 76.1 t, which represented a substantial decline of 86.4% from the year before.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Saudi Arabia (35.7% of imports in kind), the United Arab Emirates (16.8% of imports in kind), and Egypt (16.5% of imports in kind) were the main sources for Sudan's cheese and curd imports in kind. Together, these three countries accounted for 69.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market in value terms showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018, then peaked in 2017, with a 6.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sudan's imported cheese and curd volumes amounted to 1 028 K $ US, marking an advance of 115.9% compared with 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 370 K $ US, representing a decline of 84.0% from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia (33.1% of imports in value terms), Egypt (18.6% of imports in value terms), and the United Arab Emirates (15.1% of imports in value terms) were the main suppliers of cheese and curd to Sudan. Together, these three countries comprised 66.7% of total imports in value terms.

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

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