Fresh cheese and curd market in Czechia

Earlier Report Observations

The Czech market for fresh cheese and curd expanded from 78.1 thousand tons in 2018 to 93.6 thousand tons by 2020. This growth was supported by new labeling rules implemented in 2018, which required clear shelf-life dates and information on the use of unpasteurized milk, increasing transparency for consumers. At the same time, consistent consumer preference for fresh and thermized cheeses, perceived as nutritious and suitable for a healthy lifestyle, sustained demand.

Market growth continued at a more moderate pace, reaching 98.4 thousand tons in 2022. During this period, the demand for products without chemical additives and with natural ingredients remained a key quality driver for producers. While no major legislative shifts or new market entries were reported, existing regulations on fat content standardization and labeling continued to shape production.

After a slight contraction to 94.8 thousand tons in 2023, the market volume rebounded strongly to 104.3 thousand tons in 2024, setting a new peak for the period. The overall trajectory from 2018 onward shows a robust increase in market size, reflecting the sector's ability to recover from short-term fluctuations.

Production fresh cheese and curd in Czechia

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Czechia's fresh cheese and curd production was valued at 240.2 million US dollars, marking a robust year-over-year increase of 16.6%. Production grew by 52% between 2017 and 2020, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 15.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 3.5%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 35.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Czechia's fresh cheese and curd production volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 86,027 tonnes, representing a 15.5% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 35.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.7%.

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

Exports fresh cheese and curd from Czechia

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Czechia's fresh cheese and curd export volumes increased in 2020, totaling 22,711 tonnes. This marked a sharp gain of 39.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 15.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 16,269 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, with an 11.1% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of fresh cheese and curd from Czechia were Slovakia, accounting for 47.9% of exports in kind, Poland with 29.5%, and Germany at 5.9%. Together, these three countries comprised 83.2% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Czechia exported fresh cheese and curd worth 78,035 thousand US dollars, representing a 44.1% increase over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 28.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 54,167 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 12.2%.

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

During 2017–2020, Slovakia, Poland, and Germany accounted for the largest share of Czechia's fresh cheese and curd exports in value terms. Slovakia represented 41.4%, Poland 33.5%, and Germany 7.8%, together comprising 82.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports fresh cheese and curd to Czechia

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year advance, Czechia's fresh cheese and curd import volumes declined in 2020, totaling 30,303 tonnes. This represented a slight drop of 0.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 22.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 7.0%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 30,583 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 18.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Poland, and Slovakia consistently led as the top sources for Czechia's fresh cheese and curd imports in kind. Germany accounted for 48.7%, Poland for 21.1%, and Slovakia for 10.5%, jointly making up 80.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year advance, Czechia's fresh cheese and curd import shipments from abroad declined in 2020, totaling 91,945 thousand US dollars. This was equivalent to a gradual fall of 3.8% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 26.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 95,549 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 15.1%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Germany, Poland, and Slovakia played the leading roles in Czechia's fresh cheese and curd imports in value terms. Germany accounted for 41.5%, Poland for 18.5%, and Slovakia for 15.8%, together taking 75.8% of total import flows.

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

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