Fresh cheese and curd market in North Macedonia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh cheese and curd in North Macedonia experienced significant fluctuations in physical volume between 2018 and 2024. Starting at 3 993 t in 2018, volume peaked the following year at 4 091 t before collapsing to 2 231 t in 2020. Although it partially recovered to nearly 3 000 t in 2021-2022, a downward trend resumed, bringing volume to 2 373 t by 2024. In contrast, the market's value in U.S. dollars showed greater resilience, rising from $6.9 million in 2018 to $8.0 million in 2024, with a notable increase of 19% in 2022 alone.

The period was marked by a major contraction in 2020, which was followed by a rebound in both volume and value over the next two years. During this time, the global dairy industry began a transition with the emergence of alternative, precision-fermentation dairy products, a trend that also reached North Macedonia and likely influenced local market innovation and consumer options. After 2022, physical consumption resumed a decline, falling to 2 519 t in 2023 and 2 373 t in 2024, while the market's value stabilized around $7.8-$8.0 million.

Production fresh cheese and curd in North Macedonia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, North Macedonia's fresh cheese and curd production was valued at 2,655 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp decline of 45.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 48.9%, which translates to an annualized rate of 20.1%. The largest increase during this period occurred in 2019, with a rise of 6.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in North Macedonia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

North Macedonia's fresh cheese and curd production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1,177 tonnes, which represents a significant drop of 63.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 65.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 30.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports fresh cheese and curd from North Macedonia

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 14 tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 91 tonnes, marking a 6.5-fold increase between these years. In 2020, North Macedonia's fresh cheese and curd exports totaled 91 tonnes, up by 65.8% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 57.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a surge of 290.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, North Macedonia's fresh cheese and curd exports in kind were strongly focused on Russia, which accounted for 74.3% of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed among other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports dropped to their minimum in 2018 at 24 thousand US dollars and climbed to their maximum in 2020 at 239 thousand US dollars, representing a 9.9-fold shift. In 2020, North Macedonia exported 239 thousand US dollars worth of fresh cheese and curd, marking a steep rise of 70.6% from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 53.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a jump of 480.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia concentrated 82.6% of North Macedonia's total fresh cheese and curd exports in value terms. The remaining flows were scattered across multiple smaller partners.

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

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

Imports fresh cheese and curd to North Macedonia

Imports in kind, t

Foreign fresh cheese and curd supplies to North Macedonia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported a total of 1,145 tonnes, up by 26.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 151.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 36.0%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Serbia and Croatia concentrated the majority of fresh cheese and curd imports in kind to North Macedonia. Other markets contributed to a less significant portion of the imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of fresh cheese and curd to North Macedonia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, North Macedonia imported approximately 2,921 thousand US dollars worth of fresh cheese and curd, marking an uptick of 6.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 69.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 19.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia, Croatia, and Germany were the main suppliers of fresh cheese and curd to North Macedonia in value terms. Serbia accounted for 54.1% of imports, Croatia for 22.0%, and Germany for 15.7%. Together, these three countries comprised 91.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

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