Not grated and not powdered processed cheese market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian processed cheese market reached 334.5 million USD in 2018, while operating under an obsolete legal framework that prohibited the use of powdered milk, constraining producer competitiveness. After a decline to 292.3 million USD in 2019, the market recovered to 310 million USD in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic shifted consumption from out-of-home to at-home channels, boosting retail sales.

Market value rose further to 340.5 million USD in 2021 before contracting to 306 million USD in 2022 and then stabilizing at 316.2 million USD in 2023.

In 2024, the market size decreased to 304.3 million USD. This coincided with a significant rise in exports of Italian cheeses, particularly DOP and IGP varieties, which redirected supply abroad. Concurrently, higher milk and cheese prices likely tempered domestic demand, while regulatory proposals for new health labeling on raw-milk cheeses and continued growth in the plant-based cheese segment represented evolving market dynamics.

Production not grated and not powdered processed cheese in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's production of not grated and not powdered processed cheese rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2020, output reached 205.0 million US dollars, marking an 18.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 13.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 173.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 18.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. In 2019, production hit its lowest point at 38.0 thousand tonnes, but surged to 183.2 thousand tonnes in 2020—a 382.6% increase. This resulted in a 4.8-fold variation between the low in 2019 and the high in 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 15.6%.

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

Exports not grated and not powdered processed cheese from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Export trends were unstable throughout the timeframe. In 2019, exports reached their lowest level at 2,230 tonnes, but rose to 4,174 tonnes in 2020—an 87.2% increase. This created a 1.9-fold gap between the two years. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 13.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's exports of not grated and not powdered processed cheese were widely distributed across markets. Belgium accounted for 12.8% of exports in kind, France for 11.8%, and Malta for 9.6%. Together, these three countries represented just 34.1% of total flows, indicating a diversified export structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The export market showed volatility over the observed period. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 9.6 million US dollars, but climbed to 19.1 million US dollars in 2020—a sharp 98.5% increase. This resulted in a 2-fold gap between the two years. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 17.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium, France, and Saudi Arabia were among the largest buyers of Italy's not grated and not powdered processed cheese in value terms. Belgium accounted for 12.4% of exports, France for 11.7%, and Saudi Arabia for 9.3%. However, even combined, they represented only 33.3% of total exports, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports not grated and not powdered processed cheese to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's imports of not grated and not powdered processed cheese declined after a two-year rise. In 2020, imports stood at 33,580 tonnes, a 9.5% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 15.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 37,114 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 19.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium and Germany were the main sources for Italy's imports in kind, jointly accounting for 83.8% of total flows. Other partners made up the remaining share.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Italy's imports of not grated and not powdered processed cheese declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 124.2 million US dollars, a 3.5% fall from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 17.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 133.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 26.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 3.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy's imports in value terms were heavily oriented towards Belgium and Germany. Their combined share reached 81.5% of total flows, with other destinations playing a secondary role.

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

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