MENA: Cheese Market 2024

Cheese Market Size in MENA

In 2021, the MENA's cheese market increased by 0.5% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Overall, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 7.3%. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cheese Production in MENA

In value terms, cheese production amounted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 8.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cheese Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2021, exports of cheese in MENA contracted notably to X tons, with a decrease of -15.3% against 2020. Overall, exports recorded a noticeable reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cheese exports declined to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports saw a pronounced slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 20% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Saudi Arabia (X tons), Turkey (X tons) and Egypt (X tons) represented roughly 74% of total exports in 2021. Bahrain (X tons) took an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by the United Arab Emirates (4.8%). Morocco (X tons), Tunisia (X tons) and Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +6.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest cheese supplying countries in MENA were Saudi Arabia ($X), Egypt ($X) and Turkey ($X), together comprising 70% of total exports. Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Tunisia and Syrian Arab Republic lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 26%.

The United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +8.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of 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

The export price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 2.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a slight expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the export price increased by 24%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

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 Bahrain ($X per ton), while Syrian Arab Republic ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+4.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cheese Imports

Imports in MENA

For the third year in a row, MENA recorded decline in supplies from abroad of cheese, which decreased by -5.7% to X tons in 2021. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 9.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cheese imports fell to $X in 2021. In general, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 12%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Saudi Arabia (X tons) was the key importer of cheese, generating 33% of total imports. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Iraq (X tons), Yemen (X tons), Kuwait (X tons), Libya (X tons), Morocco (X tons) and Oman (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 43% share of total imports. Egypt (X tons), Bahrain (X tons), Jordan (X tons), Israel (X tons) and Lebanon (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to cheese imports into Saudi Arabia stood at +3.7%. At the same time, Israel (+20.2%), Morocco (+7.6%), Yemen (+2.2%) and Iraq (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Israel emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MENA, with a CAGR of +20.2% from 2012-2021. Bahrain experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Oman (-1.1%), Egypt (-1.7%), Libya (-2.0%), the United Arab Emirates (-2.4%), Kuwait (-3.7%), Jordan (-6.2%) and Lebanon (-7.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Israel increased by +9.2, +2.3 and +2.2 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cheese in MENA, comprising 30% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Iraq, with a 7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Saudi Arabia totaled +2.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United Arab Emirates (+1.6% per year) and Iraq (-0.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2021, stabilizing at the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 7.6%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum 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 importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while Yemen ($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 United Arab Emirates (+4.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform