Cheese from whole cow milk production in South Africa
In 2023 South Africa produced 62,296 t of cheese from whole cow milk, the 42nd largest in the world (0.27% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 30%. The record was 96,652 t in 2018.
The 2023 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Production, 2023
- 62,296 t
- World rank
- 42 of 95
- 10-year change
- −30%
- Record
- 96,652 t
- 2018
Cheese from whole cow milk in South Africa, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 0.27%
- 0.48% in 2013
- 10-year change
- −30%
- world +25%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | Uruguay | 64,636 | 0.28% |
| 41 | Norway | 63,515 | 0.28% |
| 42 | South Africa | 62,296 | 0.27% |
| 43 | Brazil | 58,386 | 0.25% |
| 44 | Latvia | 56,490 | 0.25% |
Map of world production of cheese from whole cow milk
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 62,296 | +3.2% |
| 2022 | 60,337 | +2.0% |
| 2021 | 59,162 | −1.9% |
| 2020 | 60,337 | +9.2% |
| 2019 | 55,244 | −43% |
| 2018 | 96,652 | +81% |
| 2017 | 53,496 | +2.8% |
| 2016 | 52,050 | +4.5% |
| 2015 | 49,805 | −7.8% |
| 2014 | 54,004 | −39% |
| 2013 | 88,789 | +1.4% |
| 2012 | 87,537 | +5.8% |
| 2011 | 82,727 | +5.9% |
| 2010 | 78,099 | +7.5% |
| 2009 | 72,639 | +0.3% |
| 2008 | 72,435 | −1.8% |
| 2007 | 73,784 | +2.0% |
| 2006 | 72,323 | +4.3% |
| 2005 | 69,336 | +88% |
| 2004 | 36,882 | +0.3% |
| 2003 | 36,767 | +4.3% |
| 2002 | 35,250 | −6.8% |
| 2001 | 37,802 | +7.0% |
| 2000 | 35,331 | −4.2% |
| 1999 | 36,897 | −3.3% |
| 1998 | 38,167 | +6.7% |
| 1997 | 35,764 | −9.5% |
| 1996 | 39,519 | +4.9% |
| 1995 | 37,674 | −1.3% |
| 1994 | 38,161 | +7.5% |
| 1993 | 35,510 | +9.1% |
| 1992 | 32,551 | −17% |
| 1991 | 39,181 | −7.4% |
| 1990 | 42,320 | −0.4% |
| 1989 | 42,470 | +7.5% |
| 1988 | 39,501 | −2.2% |
| 1987 | 40,386 | +14% |
| 1986 | 35,363 | +4.3% |
| 1985 | 33,897 | −6.2% |
| 1984 | 36,154 | −0.2% |
| 1983 | 36,214 | +1.0% |
| 1982 | 35,871 | +3.3% |
| 1981 | 34,729 | +7.3% |
| 1980 | 32,361 | −3.6% |
| 1979 | 33,578 | +24% |
| 1978 | 27,159 | −5.6% |
| 1977 | 28,769 | −2.7% |
| 1976 | 29,574 | +34% |
| 1975 | 22,043 | +13% |
| 1974 | 19,470 | −7.0% |
| 1973 | 20,933 | +8.5% |
| 1972 | 19,300 | +8.8% |
| 1971 | 17,735 | +0.4% |
| 1970 | 17,665 | −20% |
| 1969 | 22,157 | +6.8% |
| 1968 | 20,743 | +11% |
| 1967 | 18,607 | +31% |
| 1966 | 14,246 | −2.8% |
| 1965 | 14,662 | −0.6% |
| 1964 | 14,744 | −2.9% |
| 1963 | 15,190 | −5.5% |
| 1962 | 16,067 | −7.1% |
| 1961 | 17,292 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 12,678 t USD 55.0 m
- Exporter rank
- 35 of 123
- Imports
- 3,234 t USD 21.3 m
- Importer rank
- 91 of 192
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of cheese from whole cow milk in South Africa?
South Africa produced 62,296 t in 2023, 0.27% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of cheese from whole cow milk?
South Africa ranked 42nd of 95 countries in 2023. The largest producer was United States with 27.9% of the world total.
How has the production of cheese from whole cow milk in South Africa changed?
It fell by 30% between 2013 and 2023, compared with +25% for the world. The record was 96,652 t in 2018.
Does South Africa export or import cheese from whole cow milk?
In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 12,678 t (USD 55.0 m) and imports of 3,234 t (USD 21.3 m), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the 2023 figure for South Africa is imputed by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.