Cheese and curd market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The cheese and curd market in Western Europe saw a sharp contraction in 2019, with volume dropping to 4.8 million tonnes from 10.8 million tonnes the previous year. A steady recovery began in 2020, supported by a shift in consumer preferences towards healthier, lower-fat options and the emerging popularity of plant-based cheese alternatives, trends that accelerated during the pandemic. This change in consumption habits helped reverse the previous decline, lifting the market volume to 5.9 million tonnes.

Subsequent growth was reinforced by significant industry investments in modernizing production tools and digitalizing distribution channels. The market's value expanded further due to a strong and sustained trend of premiumization, with consumers increasingly seeking out authentic, local, artisanal, and organic cheeses. This shift towards higher-value products continued to drive the market upward even as the cost of raw materials like milk rose.

The market's expansion was further structured by the growth of specific segments, including a notable increase in the production of raw milk cheese and protected designation of origin (AOP) volumes. Continuous innovation, particularly in plant-based cheese, alongside consumers' growing willingness to pay more for products with ethical and sustainable credentials, helped maintain robust demand despite sharp increases in dairy product prices, leading to a market volume of 6.9 million tonnes by 2023.

Production cheese and curd in Western Europe

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 2019, Western Europe's cheese and curd production hit its lowest point at 5 985 K t, but then rebounded significantly in 2020 to reach 7 337 K t—a notable 22.6% increase from the previous year. Looking at the broader 2017-2020 period, production actually declined by 22.8%, with an average annual decrease of 8.3%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 11 915 K t, which saw the largest annual increase of 25.3%. Conversely, 2019 experienced the steepest decline of 49.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, the value of cheese and curd production in Western Europe was at its minimum of 37 070 M $ US, but it rose to 44 662 M $ US in 2020, marking a 20.5% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 span, production value decreased by 19%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.8%. The highest value was achieved in 2018 at 64 230 M $ US, which also saw the most significant decline of 42.3% the following year in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cheese and curd from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2019, cheese and curd exports from Western Europe were at their lowest of 2 382 K t, but they increased to 2 531 K t in 2020, up 6.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 2.6%, averaging a 0.9% annualized rate. The peak export volume occurred in 2018 at 2 761 K t, which saw the largest annual increase of 12.0%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the biggest decline of 13.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the export structure for cheese and curd in Western Europe was highly diversified. Italy led with 11.6% of exports in kind, followed by Spain at 6.6% and the United Kingdom at 6.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for just 24.7% of total flows, while a wide range of smaller markets made up the remaining 75.3%.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of cheese and curd exports from Western Europe reached 15 407 M $ US, reflecting a 4.4% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 7.8%, with an annualized growth rate of 2.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy was the top buyer of cheese and curd from Western Europe in value terms, accounting for 10.1% of exports, with Spain at 6.0% and the United Kingdom at 5.8%. Collectively, these three countries represented 21.8% of total export value, against a backdrop of numerous smaller partners.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, cheese and curd imports into Western Europe amounted to 1 061 K t, showing a limited decline of 8.6% compared to 2019, marking the second consecutive year of decrease. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports fell by 26.3%, averaging a 9.7% annualized decline. The peak import volume was in 2018 at 1 683 K t, which saw the largest annual increase of 16.9%. The following year, 2019, experienced the steepest drop of 31.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Western Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During 2017-2020, cheese and curd imports into Western Europe came from a broad set of markets. Italy was the largest source with 11.4% of imports in kind, followed by Denmark at 7.0% and Ireland at 2.9%. Together, these three countries accounted for only 21.3% of total imports, while many smaller destinations comprised the remaining 78.7%.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Europe's cheese and curd imports totalled 11 320 M $ US, marking a modest uptick of 5.8% from 2019 and continuing a three-year upward trend. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 13.3%, with an annualized growth rate of 4.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of cheese and curd into Western Europe in value terms were relatively evenly distributed. Italy led with 16.1% of imports, followed by Denmark at 5.2% and Switzerland at 3.8%. These three countries jointly accounted for just 25.1% of total flows, indicating a diverse import landscape.

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

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