Fresh cheese and curd market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The Portuguese fresh cheese market expanded from 22 572 tons in 2018 to 27 908 tons in 2020. This initial growth coincided with the entry of new specialized distributors, such as Mercado Sabor Brasil, which began distributing fresh coalho cheese across Portugal from 2018, enhancing product availability and likely stimulating broader consumption.

After a contraction to 23 403 tons in 2021, the market recovered steadily, reaching 28 049 tons by 2024. The latter period was supported by regulatory measures strengthening the certification of traditional cheeses, notably the Serra da Estrela DOP, and by sustained consumer preference for artisanal, origin-certified products, which helped maintain demand.

By 2024-2025, the industry context was further shaped by technological investments, including updated dairy processing guidelines from major suppliers, and by the growing recognition of Portuguese artisanal cheeses in international arenas, contributing to a diverse and quality-driven market offering.

Production fresh cheese and curd in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Fresh cheese and curd production in Portugal experienced a two-year growth period before declining. In 2021, output was valued at 35 511 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 40.9% decrease compared to 2020. Looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 22.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 8.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2020 at 60 091 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 19.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Fresh cheese and curd production in Portugal saw a two-year upward trend before turning downward. In 2021, Portugal produced 6 586 tonnes, representing a substantial 52.5% drop from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 31.2%, averaging an 11.7% annual decline. The highest production volume was achieved in 2020 with 13 873 tonnes, and the most significant growth happened in 2019 with a 27.3% increase.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports fresh cheese and curd from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

The export market for fresh cheese and curd showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2020, exports reached their lowest point at 205 tonnes, but rebounded sharply in 2021 to 409 tonnes - a remarkable 99.4% year-over-year increase. The difference between these two years was two-fold. The most significant decline occurred in 2020 with an 11.6% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Portugal exported fresh cheese and curd to a diverse range of markets. The top three destinations - Angola (27.1% of volume exports), Cabo Verde (10.8%), and Switzerland (10.2%) - collectively accounted for 48.2% of total exports. The remaining 51.8% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values for fresh cheese and curd showed an unstable pattern throughout the period. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 1 100 thousand US dollars, but surged to 2 192 thousand US dollars in 2021 - an impressive 87.2% increase from the previous year. The difference between these years was two-fold. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 13.4% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Angola (28.7% of export value), Switzerland (10.6%), and Luxembourg (9.6%) emerged as the leading but not dominant buyers of Portuguese fresh cheese and curd. Together, these three markets accounted for 48.9% of total export value, with the remaining 51.1% spread across numerous smaller trading partners.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021

Imports fresh cheese and curd to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

Portugal's imports of fresh cheese and curd continued to grow, reaching 17 226 tonnes in 2021 - a 21.0% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports rose by 30.2%, averaging 9.2% annual growth. The most notable decline occurred in 2020 with a modest 0.8% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Spain (33.8% of import volume), France (21.9%), and Germany (17.4%) were the primary sources for Portugal's fresh cheese and curd imports. These three countries together supplied 73.0% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Portugal's imports of fresh cheese and curd grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, import value reached 61 181 thousand US dollars, representing a substantial 36.8% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 40.3%, averaging 11.9% annual growth.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Spain (35.0% of import value), France (17.2%), and Germany (16.3%) were the main sources for Portugal's fresh cheese and curd imports by value. Together, these three markets accounted for 68.6% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Portugal in value, 2018-2021