Cheese and curd market Turkey

Earlier Report Observations

The Turkish cheese and curd market witnessed a dramatic expansion from 2018 to 2020, with production value jumping from 1 553 million US dollars to 5 626 million US dollars. This surge was primarily fueled by sustained state-backed support for milk production and processing facilities, which elevated domestic output capacity. Concurrently, the arrival of new market players and a broader array of products, including protein- and vitamin-enriched functional cheeses, tapped into growing consumer health awareness and stimulated demand.

Market growth continued steadily from 2021 to 2023, with production reaching 7 567 million US dollars in 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced trends toward at-home consumption and healthier eating, underpinning sales. Tightened hygiene and food safety regulations ensured product quality, while significant investments in cold-chain distribution infrastructure improved product availability nationwide. Regulatory shifts toward clearer labeling and 'clean-label' requirements further strengthened consumer trust in cheese products.

Throughout the period, evolving consumer preferences for natural, organic, and functional offerings shaped product innovation. The emergence of new segments, such as cheeses fortified with essential amino acids for muscle support, catered to specific health needs. Digital transformation, including the rise of e-commerce, social media marketing, and the use of AI for personalized campaigns, became integral to engaging consumers and driving market expansion.

Production cheese and curd Turkey

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey ranked as the world's ninth-largest producer of cheese and curd.

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Production hit its lowest point in 2018 at 470.3 thousand tonnes, then peaked in 2020 with 1 618.4 thousand tonnes — a 3.4-fold difference. In 2020, Turkey's cheese and curd production increased by 2.2% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 0.8%, while the most substantial growth was recorded in 2019 with a 236.9% increase.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Turkey's cheese and curd production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 5 626 million US dollars, marking an 11.9% rise from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production surged by 269.4%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 54.6%.

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

Exports cheese and curd to Turkey

Exports in kind, t

Turkey's cheese and curd export volumes declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 53 478 tonnes, showing a slight decrease of 2.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 3.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.2%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 55 141 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 7.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia (27.9% of exports in kind), Iraq (26.0%), and Kuwait (8.6%) were the primary markets for Turkey's cheese and curd exports, collectively accounting for 62.4% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Turkey's cheese and curd export value reached 185.9 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate increase of 6.3% compared to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 12.3%, with a CAGR of 4.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 4.0%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 10.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Turkey in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, Iraq (28.4% of exports in value terms), Saudi Arabia (23.1%), and Kuwait (8.0%) were the main destinations for Turkey's cheese and curd exports by value, together making up 59.5% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in value, 2017-2020

Imports cheese and curd in Turkey

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Turkey's cheese and curd import volume amounted to 9 525 tonnes, representing a notable decrease of 11.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 17.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 6.3%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 2.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Cyprus (41.6% of imports in kind), Ireland (12.0%), and the United Kingdom (9.5%) were the principal sources for Turkey's cheese and curd imports, jointly accounting for 63.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Turkey's cheese and curd import volumes declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 185.9 million US dollars, which is 18.4% less year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 24.5%, translating to an annualized rate of decline of 9.0%.

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

During 2017-2020, Cyprus (38.4% of imports in value terms), Ireland (12.5%), and Italy (11.8%) led the structure of Turkey's cheese and curd imports by value, together representing 62.7% of total flows.

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

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