Germany: Cheese Market 2024

Cheese Market Size in Germany

The German cheese market rose to $X in 2021, with an increase of 3.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Cheese consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cheese Production in Germany

In value terms, cheese production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 11%. Cheese production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cheese Exports

Exports from Germany

In 2021, approx. X tons of cheese were exported from Germany; with an increase of 3.6% on the previous year's figure. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% 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 2019 when exports increased by 4.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, cheese exports expanded rapidly to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% 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 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Italy (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and France (X tons) were the main destinations of cheese exports from Germany, with a combined 39% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Austria, Belgium, Spain, the UK, Greece, the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Hungary and Denmark, which together accounted for a further 39%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Romania (with a CAGR of +12.2%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Italy ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and France ($X) constituted the largest markets for cheese exported from Germany worldwide, together accounting for 38% of total exports. These countries were followed by Austria, Belgium, Spain, Poland, Romania, Greece, the Czech Republic, the UK, Hungary and Denmark, which together accounted for a further 40%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Romania, with a CAGR of +13.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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

The average cheese export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 9% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 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 Austria ($X per ton) and France ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the UK ($X per ton) and Denmark ($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 Poland (+0.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cheese Imports

Imports into Germany

In 2021, overseas purchases of cheese increased by 2.1% to X tons, rising for the third consecutive year after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 8%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

In value terms, cheese imports rose significantly to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 11% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the Netherlands (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of cheese to Germany, accounting for a 34% share of total imports. Moreover, cheese imports from the Netherlands exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, France (X tons), twofold. Denmark (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the Netherlands amounted to +3.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+0.4% per year) and Denmark (+2.6% per year).

In value terms, the largest cheese suppliers to Germany were the Netherlands ($X), France ($X) and Italy ($X), together comprising 60% of total imports. These countries were followed by Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Belgium, Poland and the UK, which together accounted for a further 36%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Ireland, with a CAGR of +10.5%, saw the highest growth rate of 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, picking up by 6.5% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK (+6.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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