Analysis of Germany's Cheese and Curd Imports (2024)

Germany is a significant importer of "Cheese and curd" (Product Code 0406), ranking 1st in world imports for this product, with its imports representing 13.2% of total world imports. The average distance of supplying countries is 631 km, and the market concentration is 0.15, indicating a relatively diversified supply chain.

Country-by-country analysis of Germany's supplying markets:

• Netherlands: The largest supplier, accounting for a substantial 28.8% of Germany's imports, with a value of 1,717,183 USD thousand. The unit value is 5441 USD/ton, and there's been a 6% annual growth in imported value between 2020-2024.
• France: The second-largest supplier, with a 15.4% share (919,285 USD thousand). The unit value is higher at 7821 USD/ton, but import value saw a slight decline of 1% annually between 2020-2024.
• Italy: A significant contributor with a 13.9% share (829,360 USD thousand). Italy has the highest unit value among major suppliers at 9792 USD/ton and shows strong growth of 7% annually in imported value.
• Austria: Supplies 9.5% of Germany's imports (566,579 USD thousand) at a unit value of 6099 USD/ton, with 9% annual growth.
• Denmark: Accounts for 7.5% of imports (444,764 USD thousand) with a relatively low unit value of 4002 USD/ton and 7% annual growth.
• Switzerland: Contributes 7.1% (425,683 USD thousand) with a very high unit value of 10287 USD/ton. Growth in value was 3% annually.
• Greece: Supplies 4.6% (274,741 USD thousand) at 7877 USD/ton, showing 12% annual growth.
• Ireland: Provides 2.5% (146,356 USD thousand) with a unit value of 5066 USD/ton and 5% annual growth.
• Poland: Accounts for 2.3% (136,558 USD thousand) at a low unit value of 3665 USD/ton, but with a strong 12% annual growth.
• Belgium: Supplies 2.1% (126,827 USD thousand) at 5550 USD/ton, showing exceptional growth of 18% annually.
• Latvia: Contributes 1.1% (66,361 USD thousand) at 4270 USD/ton, with 16% annual growth.
• United Kingdom: Accounts for 1% (61,546 USD thousand) at 6160 USD/ton, but experienced a 4% annual decline in imported value.
• Luxembourg: Supplies 1% (58,699 USD thousand) at a high unit value of 8337 USD/ton, with 5% annual growth.
• Slovakia: Contributes 0.7% (42,851 USD thousand) at 9285 USD/ton, but saw a 6% annual decline.
• Spain: Accounts for 0.6% (34,695 USD thousand) with a very high unit value of 11283 USD/ton, experiencing a 3% annual decline.
• Cyprus: Supplies 0.5% (30,983 USD thousand) at 8540 USD/ton, with 9% annual growth.
• Bulgaria: Contributes 0.2% (13,895 USD thousand) at 6965 USD/ton, with a 4% annual decline.
• Czech Republic: Accounts for 0.2% (13,811 USD thousand) at 4324 USD/ton, showing remarkable 57% annual growth.
• Türkiye: Supplies 0.1% (8,671 USD thousand) at 8134 USD/ton, with 12% annual growth. Notably, a 30.2% average tariff is applied by Germany.
• Lithuania: Contributes 0.1% (8,596 USD thousand) at 6587 USD/ton, with a 3% annual decline.
• Hungary: Accounts for 0.1% (6,837 USD thousand) at 4202 USD/ton, with 8% annual growth.
• Romania: Supplies 0.1% (6,662 USD thousand) at 6393 USD/ton, showing very strong 42% annual growth.
• Ukraine: Contributes 0.1% (5,094 USD thousand) at 3689 USD/ton. Growth data is not available, but it shows a significant increase in 2023-2024 (482%).
• United States of America: Accounts for 0.1% (3,447 USD thousand) with a very high unit value of 16493 USD/ton and 12% annual growth. A 31.2% average tariff is applied.
• Norway: Supplies 0% (2,788 USD thousand) at 6850 USD/ton, with a 7% annual decline. A 31.2% average tariff is applied.
• Sweden: Contributes 0% (2,058 USD thousand) at 3996 USD/ton, with 23% annual growth.
• Estonia: Accounts for 0% (1,242 USD thousand) at 3176 USD/ton, showing exceptional 57% annual growth.
• Portugal: Supplies 0% (960 USD thousand) at 6486 USD/ton, with a 2% annual decline.
• Russian Federation: Contributes 0% (509 USD thousand) at 8776 USD/ton, with 9% annual growth. A 31.2% average tariff is applied.
• Serbia: Accounts for 0% (470 USD thousand) at 8704 USD/ton, with an 11% annual decline.
• Croatia: Supplies 0% (371 USD thousand) at 6183 USD/ton, with a 12% annual decline.
• Finland: Contributes 0% (238 USD thousand) at 7677 USD/ton, with a significant 46% annual decline.
• Canada: Accounts for 0% (208 USD thousand) at 7704 USD/ton, showing remarkable 104% annual growth.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: Supplies 0% (203 USD thousand) at 6152 USD/ton, with 44% annual growth.
• China: Contributes 0% (201 USD thousand) at a very high unit value of 14357 USD/ton, with 52% annual growth. A 31.2% average tariff is applied.
• Macedonia, North: Accounts for 0% (36 USD thousand) at 9000 USD/ton, with a 12% annual decline but 100% growth between 2023-2024.
• Slovenia: Supplies 0% (32 USD thousand) at 5333 USD/ton, with an 11% annual decline.
• Mexico: Contributes 0% (16 USD thousand) at 8000 USD/ton. A 31.2% average tariff is applied.
• Belarus: Accounts for 0% (13 USD thousand) at 4333 USD/ton, with a 20% annual decline. A 31.2% average tariff is applied.
• Bangladesh: Supplies 0% (10 USD thousand) at 10000 USD/ton.
• Israel: Contributes 0% (4 USD thousand).
• Thailand: Accounts for 0% (4 USD thousand) at 4000 USD/ton. A 31.2% average tariff is applied.
• Lebanon: Supplies 0% (3 USD thousand) at 3000 USD/ton, with a 60% annual decline.
• Namibia: Contributes 0% (3 USD thousand).
• Kazakhstan: Accounts for 0% (1 USD thousand). A 31.2% average tariff is applied.

Key Observations:

• Dominance of European Neighbors: Germany heavily relies on its immediate European neighbors, particularly the Netherlands, France, Italy, Austria, and Denmark, for cheese and curd imports. These countries collectively account for the vast majority of the import value.
• High Unit Value Imports: Countries like Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and the USA supply cheese and curd at significantly higher unit values, suggesting specialized or premium products.
• Growth Markets: While established partners dominate, countries like Belgium, Czech Republic, Romania, Canada, and Estonia show impressive annual growth rates, indicating emerging or expanding supply relationships.
• Tariff Impact: Some countries, notably Türkiye, USA, Norway, Russia, China, Mexico, Belarus, Thailand, and Kazakhstan, face a significant average tariff of around 30-31.7% from Germany, which could influence their competitiveness.
• Declining Shares: Some countries, despite being suppliers, show negative growth in their imported value (e.g., France, United Kingdom, Slovakia, Spain, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, Serbia, Lebanon, Belarus), suggesting a shift in Germany's sourcing or a decrease in their export capacity to Germany.
• Global Reach: Despite the strong European focus, Germany imports from a diverse range of countries across the globe, including North America (USA, Canada), Asia (China, Türkiye, Thailand, Israel), and even Africa (Namibia).