Cheese and curd market in Thailand

Earlier Report Observations

The cheese and curd market in Thailand opened the period at 114.5 million USD in 2018, with domestic production valued at 29.3 million USD. High labor turnover in the food manufacturing sector that year posed a significant obstacle to industry expansion. In 2019, the market contracted sharply to 69.9 million USD, driven almost entirely by a steep drop in imports from 89.0 to 38.6 million USD, even as local production edged up to 31.4 million USD. A recovery followed in 2020, with the market size returning to 107.8 million USD on the back of rebounding imports.

Steady growth characterized the market from 2021 onward. The market size reached 118.6 million USD in 2021, then accelerated to 139.0 million USD in 2022, supported by a rise in production to 39.6 million USD and imports surpassing 105.4 million USD. This expansion coincided with the implementation of new food safety and hygiene regulations under the 'clean, safe, standard' framework and supply chain pressures from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which affected raw material costs. The market continued to grow to 143.4 million USD in 2023, with imports advancing to 118.5 million USD.

Production cheese and curd in Thailand

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

Thailand's cheese and curd production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 3 968 tonnes, a slight drop of 2.4% from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 52.3%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 21.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Thailand in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of cheese and curd output in Thailand was 27 917 thousand US dollars, down 11.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 45.6%, averaging an 18.4% annual decline. The sharpest drop occurred in 2018 at 42.9%, while 2019 saw a modest increase of 7.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Thailand in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports cheese and curd from Thailand

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed significant volatility during the observed years. Export volumes hit their lowest point in 2019 at 20 tonnes, then surged dramatically to 593 tonnes in 2020—a staggering increase of 2,813.2%. This represents a 29-fold difference between the two years. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 96.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Cambodia, Hong Kong, and Myanmar were the top destinations for Thailand's cheese and curd exports by volume. Cambodia accounted for 45.0% of exports, followed by Hong Kong at 11.4% and Myanmar at 11.0%. Together, these three markets made up 67.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values showed an unstable pattern over this period. The lowest point was in 2019 at 157 thousand US dollars, while 2020 saw a peak of 4 171 thousand US dollars—a massive year-over-year increase of 2,551.1%. This represents a 27-fold gap between the two years. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 95.9%.

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

In value terms, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Hong Kong were the leading markets for Thailand's cheese and curd exports from 2017 to 2020. Cambodia contributed 49.2% of export value, Myanmar 10.4%, and Hong Kong 9.2%. Collectively, they accounted for 68.8% of total export value.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Thailand

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes were highly volatile during these years. The lowest point was in 2019 at 7 497 tonnes, rising to 17 440 tonnes in 2020—a gain of 132.6%. This represents a 2.3-fold difference between the two years. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 56.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States were the primary suppliers of cheese and curd to Thailand by volume. Australia accounted for 32.9% of imports, New Zealand 31.4%, and the United States 10.0%. Together, they comprised 74.3% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 38 585 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 89 023 thousand US dollars—a 2.3-fold gap. In 2020, imports stood at 84 029 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp increase of 117.8% from 2019. The largest decline was in 2019 at 56.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States formed the core of Thailand's cheese and curd imports by value. Australia contributed 31.5% of import value, New Zealand 28.5%, and the United States 9.8%. Together, they accounted for 69.9% of total import value.

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

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