Saudi Arabia: Cheese Market 2025

Cheese Market Size in Saudi Arabia

In 2021, the Saudi cheese market increased by 6.8% to $X, rising for the third consecutive year after four years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Cheese consumption peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Cheese Production in Saudi Arabia

In value terms, cheese production dropped slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 28%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Cheese Exports

Exports from Saudi Arabia

For the third consecutive year, Saudi Arabia recorded decline in overseas shipments of cheese, which decreased by -14.4% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports recorded a perceptible contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 76% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cheese exports dropped significantly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% 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 -30.0% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 66%. The exports peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates (X tons), Kuwait (X tons) and Yemen (X tons) were the main destinations of cheese exports from Saudi Arabia, together comprising 56% of total exports. Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Bahrain and Lebanon lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 39%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Iraq (with a CAGR of +37.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Kuwait ($X) and Jordan ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for cheese exported from Saudi Arabia worldwide, together comprising 57% of total exports. Iraq, Yemen, Oman, Bahrain and Lebanon lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 38%.

Iraq, with a CAGR of +30.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination 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, almost unchanged from the previous year. Overall, export price indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2021: its price 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, cheese export price increased by +9.8% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the average export price increased by 60% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Oman ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Yemen ($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 Kuwait (+12.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cheese Imports

Imports into Saudi Arabia

In 2021, the amount of cheese imported into Saudi Arabia was estimated at X tons, growing by 4.4% on the year before. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% 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 2014 when imports increased by 16% 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 rose sharply to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 20% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Denmark (X tons), Bahrain (X tons) and Egypt (X tons) were the main suppliers of cheese imports to Saudi Arabia, with a combined 50% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Poland, New Zealand, the United States, Ireland, France, Hungary, Germany and Jordan, which together accounted for a further 36%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Jordan (with a CAGR of +18.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest cheese suppliers to Saudi Arabia were Bahrain ($X), Denmark ($X) and Poland ($X), with a combined 47% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Egypt, the United States, New Zealand, Ireland, France, Germany, Hungary and Jordan, which together accounted for a further 36%.

Jordan, with a CAGR of +25.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average cheese import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a mild setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the average import price increased by 5.1%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Jordan ($X per ton), while the price for Egypt ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Jordan (+5.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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