Cheese and curd market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

The US cheese and curd market volume grew from 12.0 million tons in 2018 to 12.2 million tons in 2020. This increase was supported by rising consumer interest in goat and sheep milk cheeses, with weekly consumption expanding from 18% to 24% of consumers. A 58% surge in imports during 2019 further broadened product availability. The COVID-19 pandemic shifted sales from foodservice to retail channels as home cooking increased, offsetting the impact from HoReCa sector closures and sustaining overall market expansion.

From 2021 to 2023, market volume rose to 13.0 million tons, while value reached $66.1 billion. New product launches, such as green onion cheddar curds, catered to the demand for natural and minimally processed foods. Significant investments in production capacity, including Agropur's $168 million cheese factory in Little Chute, bolstered supply. The plant-based cheese segment accelerated rapidly through strategic partnerships like Kraft Heinz with NotCo, responding to growing consumer preference for vegan and lactose-free alternatives.

By 2024, imports peaked at $2.0 billion and exports hit a record $2.5 billion, underscoring the market's deepening global integration. Consumer trends continued to favor artisanal, specialty, and plant-based cheeses, prompting ongoing innovation in packaging and product formats to capture these growing niches.

Production cheese and curd in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was one of the world's top producers of cheese and curd, ranking first globally by production volume.

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

Cheese and curd production in the United States grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 12 435 K t, showing a modest increase of 0.9% compared to 2019. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 12 217 K t, which saw the largest decline of 0.4%. The most significant growth occurred in 2019 with a 0.9% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of cheese and curd production in the United States rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production was valued at 55 890 M $ US, up 4.6% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 7.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 51 274 M $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 1.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cheese and curd from the United States

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, U.S. cheese and curd exports declined in 2020, reaching 358.5 K t, a slight decrease of 1.1% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 4.8%, with an average annual rate of 1.6%. The peak was in 2019 at 362.5 K t, which saw the largest increase of 3.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Mexico, South Korea, and Japan were the largest buyers of U.S. cheese and curd by volume, accounting for 27.0%, 16.9%, and 10.0% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they made up 54.0% of total exports in kind.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Cheese and curd exports from the United States increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 1 612 M $ US, a gain of 2.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 11%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico, South Korea, and Japan were the primary destinations for U.S. cheese and curd exports by value, representing 26.7%, 15.5%, and 10.2% of total exports, respectively. Combined, they absorbed 52.3% of the total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports cheese and curd to the United States

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, U.S. cheese and curd imports dropped to 110.8 K t, a sharp decline of 38.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 3.3%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 180.6 K t, which saw the largest increase of 57.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

The import structure for cheese and curd by volume from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented, with Italy, France, and the Netherlands as the top sources, accounting for 21.8%, 11.3%, and 7.8% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, they represented only 41.0% of total imports, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of cheese and curd imports into the United States fell in 2020, totaling 1 364 M $ US, a decrease of 9.5% compared to 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 1 364 M $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 7.8% rise.

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

The import structure by value from 2017 to 2020 was also fragmented, with Italy, France, and Spain as the leading sources, making up 26.0%, 13.9%, and 7.8% of imports in value terms, respectively. Combined, they accounted for only 47.7% of total imports, with no country exceeding a dominant share.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020