Europe: Cheese Market 2024

Cheese Market Size in Europe

The Europe cheese market totaled $X in 2021, picking up by 4.3% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 8.2% against the previous year. The level of consumption peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Cheese Production in Europe

In value terms, cheese production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 9.9%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Cheese Exports

Exports in Europe

For the tenth consecutive year, Europe recorded growth in shipments abroad of cheese, which increased by 4% to X tons in 2021. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 5.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, cheese exports expanded rapidly to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 15%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The biggest shipments were from Germany (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), France (X tons), Italy (X tons), Denmark (X tons), Belarus (X tons), Belgium (X tons), Poland (X tons) and Ireland (X tons), together accounting for 82% of total export. Austria (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Belarus (with a CAGR of +9.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest cheese supplying countries in Europe were Germany ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Italy ($X), together comprising 47% of total exports. France, Denmark, Belgium, Ireland, Belarus, Poland and Austria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 37%.

Belarus, with a CAGR of +8.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries 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 Europe amounted to $X per ton, surging by 7.5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while Poland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Austria (+0.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cheese Imports

Imports in Europe

In 2021, approx. X tons of cheese were imported in Europe; with an increase of 5.1% on 2020 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 7.2%. The volume of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, cheese imports stood at $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 15%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Germany (X tons), distantly followed by Italy (X tons), France (X tons), Belgium (X tons), the UK (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Russia (X tons) and Spain (X tons) represented the key importers of cheese, together generating 70% of total imports. Sweden (X tons), Greece (X tons), Austria (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons) and Poland (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +7.1%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cheese in Europe, comprising 20% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by France ($X), with a 9.4% share of total imports. It was followed by Italy, with an 8.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Germany stood at +3.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: France (+5.5% per year) and Italy (+0.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 4.6% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 13%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Germany ($X per ton) and Sweden ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($X per ton) and Russia ($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