Eastern Europe: Cheese Market 2024

Cheese Market Size in Eastern Europe

In 2021, the East European cheese market increased by 4.4% to $X, rising for the fifth consecutive year after three years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Cheese Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, cheese production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Cheese Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

For the seventh year in a row, Eastern Europe recorded growth in shipments abroad of cheese, which increased by 8.8% to X tons in 2021. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, cheese exports rose rapidly to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Belarus (X tons) and Poland (X tons) represented roughly 63% of total exports in 2021. The Czech Republic (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a 7.9% share, followed by Lithuania (6.2%). Hungary (X tons), Russia (X tons), Slovakia (X tons), Latvia (X tons), Bulgaria (X tons), Estonia (X tons) and Romania (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Hungary (with a CAGR of +10.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest cheese supplying countries in Eastern Europe were Belarus ($X), Poland ($X) and the Czech Republic ($X), with a combined 69% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Lithuania, Hungary, Slovakia, Russia, Latvia, Bulgaria, Estonia and Romania, which together accounted for a further 30%.

Among the main exporting countries, Romania, with a CAGR of +10.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 17%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Slovakia ($X per ton) and Bulgaria ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) and Poland ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bulgaria (+1.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cheese Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2021, overseas purchases of cheese increased by 7.5% to X tons, rising for the sixth year in a row after two years of decline. 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 throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

In value terms, cheese imports reached $X in 2021. Total imports indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +92.7% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 21%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

Russia represented the major importer of cheese in Eastern Europe, with the volume of imports accounting for X tons, which was approx. 35% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by the Czech Republic (X tons), Poland (X tons), Romania (X tons), Slovakia (X tons), Hungary (X tons) and Ukraine (X tons), together achieving a 55% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to cheese imports into Russia stood at -2.3%. At the same time, Ukraine (+13.7%), Romania (+12.9%), Slovakia (+9.5%), Poland (+7.1%), Hungary (+6.0%) and the Czech Republic (+2.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ukraine emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +13.7% from 2012-2021. Romania (+6.5 p.p.), Poland (+3.5 p.p.), Ukraine (+3.4 p.p.), Slovakia (+3.1 p.p.) and Hungary (+1.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Russia saw its share reduced by -21.1% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Russia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cheese in Eastern Europe, comprising 33% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Poland ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by the Czech Republic, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Russia stood at -3.7%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (+9.9% per year) and the Czech Republic (+4.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 6.1% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 17% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Ukraine ($X per ton) and Poland ($X per ton), while Slovakia ($X per ton) and Russia ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+2.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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