Fresh cheese and curd market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, production of fresh cheese and curd in Poland entered a steady growth path, partly due to investments by major manufacturers like Spomlek, which expanded capacity and launched new premium products under the Serenada brand. Simultaneously, the adoption of modern technologies, such as Tetra Pak PlantMaster software, facilitated the production of bio and eco cottage cheeses, aligning with rising demand for organic products.

By 2020, the number of organic producers in Poland had exceeded 20 000, further strengthening the eco-cheese segment. In subsequent years, export became a key growth driver: from 2022, exports of fresh, whey, and cottage cheeses from Poland exceeded 120 thousand tons, representing about 28% of national production, and continued to grow in 2023. This increase in external sales was supported by the recognition of Polish cheeses as natural and traditional on international markets.

In 2024, both global and Polish markets continued to show demand for premium and organic cheeses, despite rising costs of raw materials like milk and butter. Concurrently, the market for plant-based dairy substitutes is growing in Poland, reflecting shifting consumer preferences, though it remains smaller than in Western Europe. The market volume for fresh cheese and curd in physical terms increased from 399 thousand tons in 2018 to 465 thousand tons in 2024.

Production fresh cheese and curd in Poland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Poland, the output value of fresh cheese and curd reached 1 132 million US dollars in 2020, showing a slight increase of 2.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 1.3%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018, at 6.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Fresh cheese and curd production in Poland has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Poland produced 486.1 thousand tonnes, up by 2.0% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 6.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.2%.

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

Exports fresh cheese and curd from Poland

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year increase, Poland's exports of fresh cheese and curd declined. In 2020, export volume totaled 95.6 thousand tonnes, marking an 8.3% year-on-year drop. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 7.2%, with an annualized rate of 2.3%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 104.3 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 8.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland's exports of fresh cheese and curd in kind were widely dispersed across partner countries. Germany accounted for 26.3% of exports, Romania for 10.6%, and the United Kingdom for 10.3%, together representing only 47.2% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year uptick, Poland's export value of fresh cheese and curd declined. In 2020, export value stood at 261.2 million US dollars, reflecting a substantial contraction of 10.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 7.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 291.3 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 14.3%.

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

During 2017–2020, Germany, with 22.7% of exports in value terms, the United Kingdom at 11.0%, and Italy at 10.0%, were important buyers of fresh cheese and curd from Poland. However, their combined share reached only 43.8% of total exports in value terms, with the remaining 56.2% distributed among many other partners.

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

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

Imports fresh cheese and curd to Poland

Imports in kind, K t

Poland's imports of fresh cheese and curd have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Poland imported approximately 36.5 thousand tonnes, indicating a gain of 1.6% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 24.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for Poland's imports of fresh cheese and curd in kind were Germany, accounting for 49.7% of imports, Czechia at 15.3%, and Italy at 8.6%. Together, these countries represented 73.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Poland's import value of fresh cheese and curd has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 128.5 million US dollars, reflecting a modest increase of 6.1% relative to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 45.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.2%.

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

In 2017–2020, Germany, with 45.3% of imports in value terms, Czechia at 17.1%, and Italy at 10.4%, formed the main group of sources for Poland's imports of fresh cheese and curd. Their combined share accounted for 72.8% of total flows.

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

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