IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘World – Cheese – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

The global cheese market revenue amounted to $111.7B in 2018, going up by 3.2% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price).

The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2008 to 2018; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010, when the market value increased by 19% y-o-y. Global cheese consumption peaked at $117B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2018, consumption failed to regain its momentum.

Production 2007-2018

In 2018, approx. 24M tonnes of cheese were produced worldwide; growing by 2.5% against the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2008 to 2018; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years.

Exports 2007-2018

In 2018, the global exports of cheese totaled 6.7M tonnes, going up by 2.8% against the previous year. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2008 to 2018; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations over the period under review. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014, when the exports increased by 13% y-o-y. Global exports peaked in 2018, and are expected to retain its growth in the near future.

In value terms, cheese exports totaled $30.9B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2008 to 2018; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2011, with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global cheese exports reached their peak figure at $33.1B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2018, exports failed to regain their momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2018, Germany (1.3M tonnes), distantly followed by the Netherlands (780K tonnes), France (689K tonnes), Italy (416K tonnes), Denmark (340K tonnes), the U.S. (325K tonnes) and Poland (325K tonnes) were the major exporters of cheese, together mixing up 61% of total exports. New Zealand (295K tonnes), Belgium (272K tonnes), Ireland (219K tonnes), Belarus (196K tonnes) and the UK (194K tonnes) took a little share of total exports.

From 2008 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by the U.S., while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($4.6B), France ($3.7B) and the Netherlands ($3.6B) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2018, with a combined 38% share of global exports. Italy, Denmark, the U.S., New Zealand, Belgium, Ireland, Poland, the UK and Belarus lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 40%.

Export Prices by Country

In 2018, the average cheese export price amounted to $4,591 per tonne, approximately reflecting the previous year. In general, the cheese export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern.

Export prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest export price was Italy ($7,856 per tonne), while Poland ($2,864 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2008 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of export prices was attained by Italy, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports 2007-2018

In 2018, the global imports of cheese totaled 7M tonnes, going up by 5.7% against the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2008 to 2018; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded over the period under review.

In value terms, cheese imports amounted to $32B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Imports by Country

In 2018, Germany (821K tonnes), followed by the UK (535K tonnes), Italy (480K tonnes), France (371K tonnes), the Netherlands (370K tonnes) and Belgium (315K tonnes) represented the key importers of cheese, together making up 41% of total imports. Japan (293K tonnes), Spain (287K tonnes), the U.S. (261K tonnes), Russia (247K tonnes), Saudi Arabia (152K tonnes) and Mexico (124K tonnes) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2008 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by the Netherlands, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($4.4B), the UK ($2.2B) and Italy ($2B) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2018, together accounting for 27% of global imports. France, Belgium, the Netherlands, the U.S., Japan, Spain, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Mexico lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

Import Prices by Country

The average cheese import price stood at $4,581 per tonne in 2018, standing approx. at the previous year. In general, the cheese import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017, an increase of 10% y-o-y. Over the period under review, the average import prices for cheese attained their maximum at $5,237 per tonne in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2018, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average import prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2018, major importing countries recorded the following import prices: in Germany ($5,395 per tonne) and the U.S. ($5,092 per tonne), while the Netherlands ($4,035 per tonne) and Russia ($4,064 per tonne) were amongst the lowest.

From 2008 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of import prices was attained by Japan, while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform