Australia: Cheese Market 2025

Cheese Market Size in Australia

In 2021, the Australian cheese market increased by 1.4% to $X, rising for the sixth year in a row after three years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Cheese consumption peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Cheese Production in Australia

In value terms, cheese production expanded modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 20% against the previous year. Cheese production peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Cheese Exports

Exports from Australia

In 2021, overseas shipments of cheese were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 13%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cheese exports rose significantly to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, recorded a mild contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 15%. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Japan (X tons) was the main destination for cheese exports from Australia, with a 37% share of total exports. Moreover, cheese exports to Japan exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, China (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Malaysia (X tons), with a 7.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Japan stood at -5.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (+13.1% per year) and Malaysia (+7.6% per year).

In value terms, Japan ($X) remains the key foreign market for cheese exports from Australia, comprising 35% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($X), with a 16% share of total exports. It was followed by Malaysia, with a 7.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Japan stood at -6.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (+12.0% per year) and Malaysia (+5.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average cheese export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 6% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the highest price was recorded for prices to Indonesia ($X per ton) and Singapore ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to China ($X per ton) and Japan ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United States (+2.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cheese Imports

Imports into Australia

In 2021, approx. X tons of cheese were imported into Australia; flattening at 2020 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cheese imports rose notably to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 30%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

New Zealand (X tons), the United States (X tons) and Italy (X tons) were the main suppliers of cheese imports to Australia, together comprising 75% of total imports. The Netherlands, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Cyprus, the UK and Bulgaria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 19%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for the UK (with a CAGR of +17.8%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest cheese suppliers to Australia were New Zealand ($X), the United States ($X) and Italy ($X), together comprising 63% of total imports. France, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Greece, the UK, Cyprus and Bulgaria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 30%.

In terms of the main suppliers, the UK, with a CAGR of +18.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average cheese import price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 5.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average import price increased by 15% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the price for the United States ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bulgaria (+5.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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