Ireland: Cheese Market 2024

Cheese Market Size in Ireland

The Irish cheese market dropped modestly to $X in 2021, shrinking by -3% against the previous year. In general, consumption showed a prominent increase. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cheese Production in Ireland

In value terms, cheese production rose notably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +72.6% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 40% against the previous year. Cheese production peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Cheese Exports

Exports from Ireland

In 2021, the amount of cheese exported from Ireland contracted to X tons, waning by -5% against 2020. Overall, total exports indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -12.0% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 35%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cheese exports rose remarkably to $X in 2021. In general, total exports indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +62.9% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 21%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

The UK (X tons) was the main destination for cheese exports from Ireland, accounting for a 35% share of total exports. Moreover, cheese exports to the UK exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the Netherlands (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Germany (X tons), with a 9.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the UK stood at -3.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (+20.9% per year) and Germany (+12.1% per year).

In value terms, the UK ($X) remains the key foreign market for cheese exports from Ireland, comprising 39% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($X), with a 10% share of total exports. It was followed by Germany, with an 8.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to the UK was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (+20.7% per year) and Germany (+11.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average cheese export price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 11% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 15%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Belgium ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the UK (+3.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cheese Imports

Imports into Ireland

For the fifth consecutive year, Ireland recorded growth in supplies from abroad of cheese, which increased by 4.1% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% 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 +67.4% against 2014 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 16%. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, cheese imports fell remarkably to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period 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 when imports increased by 26% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2020, and then shrank dramatically in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the UK (X tons) constituted the largest cheese supplier to Ireland, with a 49% share of total imports. Moreover, cheese imports from the UK exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Germany (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Belgium (X tons), with a 7.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from the UK stood at +4.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+6.3% per year) and Belgium (+10.1% per year).

In value terms, the UK ($X) constituted the largest supplier of cheese to Ireland, comprising 47% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a 17% share of total imports. It was followed by Italy, with an 8.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from the UK totaled -1.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+3.4% per year) and Italy (+6.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average cheese import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, reducing by -19.6% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a noticeable contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 9.9% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the average import prices remained 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 Italy ($X per ton), while the price for Belgium ($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 Netherlands (+3.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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