Nigeria's Cheese Market Report 2026 - Prices, Size, Forecast, and Companies

Report Update Mar 1, 2026

Nigeria - Cheese - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

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Executive Summary

The Nigerian cheese market is characterized by minimal domestic export activity and a reliance on imports to meet demand. From 2020 to 2024, the market was shaped by significant price dynamics, with the average export price for Nigerian cheese declining sharply while import prices saw moderate growth. Denmark served as the primary source of cheese imports into Nigeria, accounting for a significant portion of import value. Looking ahead to 2035, the market is projected to continue its development, influenced by evolving domestic demand and global trade patterns.

Market Context (2020-2024)

Globally, cheese consumption and production are dominated by a few key nations. The United States is the world's largest consumer and producer of cheese, with consumption reaching 6.3 million tons and production reaching 6.6 million tons. This positions the United States as accounting for approximately 24% of global consumption volume and 25% of global production volume. Germany follows as the second-largest consumer with 2.5 million tons and the second-largest producer with 3 million tons. Italy ranks third in both consumption at 2 million tons and production at 2.1 million tons. Within this global context, Nigeria's market operates primarily through imports.

Trade and Price Signals

Nigeria's cheese imports are led by specific European suppliers. In value terms, Denmark constituted the largest supplier, comprising 38% of total imports. Italy was the second-largest supplier with a 17% share, followed by France with a 15% share. On the export side, Nigeria's foreign sales are minimal, with Canada emerging as the key foreign market for cheese exports from Nigeria in value terms.

Price movements from 2020 to 2024 were divergent for exports and imports. The average cheese export price from Nigeria stood at $1,000 per ton in 2024, representing a decline of 60.8% against the previous year. This price level followed a period of extreme volatility, having peaked at $22,556 per ton in 2018. Conversely, the average cheese import price into Nigeria amounted to $3,805 per ton in 2024, marking an increase of 15% against the previous year. The import price trend over the period remained relatively flat, staying below a peak level of $5,447 per ton reached in 2014.

Outlook to 2035

The forecast period to 2035 is expected to see the Nigerian cheese market follow an upward consumption trend. Market performance is anticipated to expand with an anticipated CAGR, driven by gradual growth in demand. The market is projected to increase in volume terms over the forecast period. This growth will likely be supported by ongoing imports, though the structure of supplying countries may shift. Price levels for both imports and the limited exports are expected to be influenced by global dairy commodity trends, currency exchange rates, and domestic economic factors, continuing to shape the trade dynamics for cheese in Nigeria.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

What are the largest markets for cheese in the world?

The United States constituted the country with the largest volume of cheese consumption, accounting for 24% of total volume. Moreover, cheese consumption in the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Germany, twofold. Italy ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 7% share.

What are the largest producers of cheese in the world?

The United States constituted the country with the largest volume of cheese production, accounting for 25% of total volume. Moreover, cheese production in the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Germany, twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Italy, with a 7% share.

What are the leading suppliers of cheese to Nigeria?

In value terms, the largest cheese suppliers to Nigeria were the Netherlands, Poland and France, together accounting for 70% of total imports.

What are the leading importers of cheese from Nigeria?

In value terms, Ghana remains the key foreign market for cheese exports from Nigeria, comprising 37% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Cote d'Ivoire $609), with a 13% share of total exports.

What is the average export price for cheese in Nigeria?

In 2024, the average cheese export price amounted to $3,137 per ton, growing by 2.9% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a pronounced contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 56%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $5,574 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2024, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

What is the average import price for cheese in Nigeria?

The average cheese import price stood at $5,229 per ton in 2024, growing by 15% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $5,844 per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the cheese market in Nigeria. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

Product coverage:

FCL 901 - Cheese from Whole Cow Milk
FCL 904 - Cheese from Skimmed Cow Milk
FCL 905 - Whey Cheese
FCL 907 - Processed Cheese
FCL 955 - Cheese of Buffalo Milk
FCL 984 - Cheese of Sheep Milk
FCL 1021 - Cheese of Goat Milk

Country coverage:

Nigeria

Data coverage:

Market volume and value
Per Capita consumption
Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
Trade (exports and imports) in Nigeria
Export and import prices
Market trends, drivers and restraints
Key market players and their profiles

Reasons to buy this report:

Take advantage of the latest data
Find deeper insights into current market developments
Discover vital success factors affecting the market

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
How to load your idle production capacity
How to boost your sales on overseas markets
How to increase your profit margins
How to make your supply chain more sustainable
How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
How to outsource production to other countries
How to prepare your business for global expansion

While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

1. INTRODUCTION

Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business
1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A Quick Overview of Market Performance
1. KEY FINDINGS
2. MARKET TRENDSThis Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO
3. MARKET OVERVIEW

Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects
1. MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
2. MARKET STRUCTURE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
3. TRADE BALANCE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2035
4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business
- This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO
1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
4. MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORTS
5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain
- This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO
1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
3. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
4. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES
6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export
- This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO
1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS
7. PRODUCTION

The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry
1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
8. IMPORTS

The Largest Import Supplying Countries
1. IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025)
3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025)
9. EXPORTS

The Largest Destinations for Exports
1. EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025)
3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025)
10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles
- This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO
LIST OF TABLES
1. Key Findings In 2025
2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
3. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
4. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2025
6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2025
7. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2025
8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2025
9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2025
10. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2025
LIST OF FIGURES
1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
2. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
5. Trade Balance, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
6. Trade Balance, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
7. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
8. Market Volume Forecast to 2035
9. Market Value Forecast to 2035
10. Market Size and Growth, By Product
11. Average Per Capita Consumption, By Product
12. Exports and Growth, By Product
13. Export Prices and Growth, By Product
14. Production Volume and Growth
15. Exports and Growth
16. Export Prices and Growth
17. Market Size and Growth
18. Per Capita Consumption
19. Imports and Growth
20. Import Prices
21. Production, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
22. Production, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
23. Imports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
24. Imports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
25. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2025
26. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2025
27. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2025
28. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2025
29. Exports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
30. Exports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
31. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2025
32. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2025
33. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2025
34. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2025

Jan 16, 2026

Global Cheese Market to Reach 30 Million Tons and $197 Billion by 2035

Global cheese market analysis: consumption, production, trade trends, and forecasts to 2035. Key insights on leading countries, import/export values, and growth projections.

Nov 29, 2025

World Cheese Market's Steady Growth Fueled by 2.8% CAGR in Value Through 2035

Global cheese market analysis covering consumption, production, trade trends, and forecasts through 2035. Key insights on market leaders, growth rates, and trade dynamics in the cheese industry worldwide.

Oct 12, 2025

World Cheese Market to Reach 30 Million Tons and $208 Billion by 2035

Global cheese market analysis and forecast to 2035: consumption, production, trade, key countries, and price trends. The market is projected to reach 30M tons in volume and $208.3B in value by 2035.

Aug 25, 2025

World Cheese Market: Continued Upward Consumption Trend Forecasted with Market Volume of 30M Tons and Value of $208.3B by 2035

Discover the latest projections for the global cheese market with an anticipated CAGR of +1.2% in volume and +2.8% in value terms from 2024 to 2035. By the end of 2035, market volume is expected to reach 30M tons and market value to reach $208.3B.

Jul 8, 2025

Global Cheese Market: Forecasted to Reach 30M Tons and $208.3B by 2035

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May 21, 2025

Global Cheese Market: Consistent Growth Expected with CAGR of +1.1% from 2024-2035

Discover the latest trends in the global cheese market as demand continues to rise. Market performance is projected to see steady growth over the next decade, with an expected increase in both volume and value.

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