Cheese and curd market in Venezuela, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the cheese and curd market volume in Venezuela declined in 2019 before surging by over 125,000 t in 2020. This sharp increase was driven by the expansion of informal cheese production, as dairy farmers adapted to economic crises, and sustained consumer demand for traditional fresh cheeses made from unpasteurized milk.

Market growth continued from 2021 to 2023, with volume reaching nearly 746,000 t in 2023. During this period, the industry faced tighter regulatory requirements, including the implementation of updated Codex Alimentarius standards for cheese additives and labeling in 2022. By 2023, the informal sector accounted for about 91% of production, supporting output especially of hard white cheese as a key dairy product following reduced imports of powdered milk.

In 2024, authorities stepped up market interventions, such as setting agreed cheese prices at $2.8–3 per kg, removing value-added tax for certain soft white cheeses, and strengthening sanitary controls on imported products. These measures aimed to stabilize supply and prices amid high inflation and the sector's informal structure.

Production cheese and curd in Venezuela

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Venezuela ranked as the 19th largest producer of cheese and curd globally, positioning it among the world's leading producers in this category.

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Venezuela produced 575.3 thousand tons of cheese and curd, marking a sharp increase of 28.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 47%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 13.7%. The only decline during this period occurred in 2019, when production fell by 4.3%.

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

Exports cheese and curd from Venezuela

Exports in kind, t

The export market for cheese and curd from Venezuela showed significant volatility from 2017 to 2020. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 6.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports totaled 47.1 tons, representing an 18.5% decrease from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 57.8 tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 551.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for Venezuela's cheese and curd exports in volume terms were Chile, Peru, and Colombia. Chile accounted for 39.5% of exports, Peru for 31.9%, and Colombia for 9.9%. Together, these three countries made up 81.3% of Venezuela's total cheese and curd exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Venezuela's cheese and curd exports in value terms increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 251 thousand US dollars, up by 10.9% from 2019. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 668.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 97.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top buyers of Venezuela's cheese and curd in value terms were Chile, Peru, and the United States. Chile led with 43.3% of exports, followed by Peru at 22.7%, and the United States at 11.9%. Combined, these three markets accounted for 77.8% of Venezuela's total cheese and curd export value.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Venezuela

Imports in kind, t

The import market for cheese and curd in Venezuela was highly volatile from 2017 to 2020. Imports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 22.4 tons and peaked in 2020 at 587.4 tons, representing a 26-fold increase between these years. In 2020, imports surged by 337.0% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 76.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 500.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main sources of cheese and curd imports to Venezuela by volume were Uruguay, Italy, and the United States. Uruguay supplied 32.6% of imports, Italy 14.0%, and the United States 13.3%. Together, these three countries accounted for 59.9% of Venezuela's total cheese and curd imports in volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of cheese and curd imports to Venezuela showed considerable volatility from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 181 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2020 at 3 361 thousand US dollars, a 19-fold difference. In 2020, import value increased by 298.8% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 62.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 365.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three main sources of cheese and curd imports to Venezuela in value terms were Uruguay, Italy, and the Netherlands. Together, these countries accounted for 63.8% of Venezuela's total import value for cheese and curd.

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

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