Not grated and not powdered processed cheese market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Spanish market for not grated and not powdered processed cheese remained relatively stable, with volume hovering around 85 000 t. Growing demand for dairy and protein-rich foods, alongside increased cheese usage in fast-food items like pizza and sandwiches, provided underlying support. In 2020, domestic cheese consumption rose, particularly for higher value-added products, contributing to a market volume of 85 934 t.

From 2021 onward, inflationary pressures and higher production costs reshaped the market. Consumers increasingly turned to private-label brands and traded down, while traditional Spanish cheeses faced stiffer competition from imported products. Shifting preferences towards fresh and semi-cured cheeses further altered demand patterns. By 2024, these factors contributed to a significant contraction in market volume.

The market volume fell to 52 774 t in 2024. Cheese production adopted a stability-focused strategy rather than expansion, and rising cheese prices—linked to strong international demand and exports—curbed domestic consumption. The persistent trade deficit in dairy products, coupled with the earlier inflation-driven shift in consumer behavior, solidified the market's smaller scale.

Production not grated and not powdered processed cheese in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Spain's output of not grated and not powdered processed cheese was valued at 298.9 million US dollars, marking a moderate year-over-year improvement of 5.3%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 18.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 302.7 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 6.3% drop. The most significant increase was in 2018, reaching 19.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Spain produced 80,187 tonnes of not grated and not powdered processed cheese, showing a modest increase of 6.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 15.8%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 5.0%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 1.9%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 with 10.9% growth.

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

Exports not grated and not powdered processed cheese from Spain

Exports in kind, t

Spain's exports of not grated and not powdered processed cheese increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Spain exported 6,455 tonnes, reflecting a significant rise of 19.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 82%, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Spain's exports of not grated and not powdered processed cheese in kind were Portugal, accounting for 64.2% of exports, the United Kingdom at 5.5%, and France at 5.0%. Together, these three countries represented 74.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Spain's exports of not grated and not powdered processed cheese increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 30,245 thousand US dollars, showing a robust increase of 15.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 86.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 23.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and France consistently led in the country structure of exports in value terms. Portugal accounted for 64.3% of exports, the United Kingdom for 8.7%, and France for 3.8%. Collectively, these three countries made up 76.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports not grated and not powdered processed cheese to Spain

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Spain imported 12,202 tonnes of not grated and not powdered processed cheese, down by 13.6% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 24.8%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 9.1%. The largest drop was in 2018 at 14.3%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 with 1.6% growth.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Spain's imports in kind were France, Belgium, and Germany, which together accounted for 78.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Spain's imports of not grated and not powdered processed cheese declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports registered 51,788 thousand US dollars, which is 11.4% less compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 19.7%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 7.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Belgium, and Germany remained the leading destinations in the country structure of imports in value terms. France accounted for 45.9% of imports, Belgium for 25.8%, and Germany for 8.0%. Together, these three countries represented 79.7% of total import flows.

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

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