Cheese imports in Lebanon: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of cheese by Lebanon reached $151.5 million in 2024 (24.6 thousand tonnes). Value rose 23% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $151.5M | 24.6K t |
| 2023 | $123.6M | 19.1K t |
| 2022 | $101.6M | 19.1K t |
| 2021 | $67.8M | 14.8K t |
| 2020 | $74.4M | 17.0K t |
| 2019 | $148.9M | 30.8K t |
| 2018 | $151.6M | 29.7K t |
| 2017 | $133.2M | 27.1K t |
Where Lebanon imports cheese from
Most of the value came from Hungary (16%), Denmark (14%), Egypt (12%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 41%. Among the main suppliers, Denmark grew fastest (+122% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Hungary | $23.6M | 16% |
| Denmark | $20.7M | 14% |
| Egypt | $18.1M | 12% |
| United Kingdom | $14.4M | 9.5% |
| Belgium | $11.5M | 7.6% |
| France | $11.3M | 7.4% |
| Poland | $7.8M | 5.1% |
| Bulgaria | $7.2M | 4.8% |
| Syria | $5.4M | 3.6% |
| Italy | $5.0M | 3.3% |
Product types under HS 0406
| 0406.90 | Dairy produce: cheese (not grated, powdered or processed), n.e.c. in heading no. 0406 | 36% |
| 0406.30 | Dairy produce: cheese, processed (not grated or powdered) | 29% |
| 0406.20 | Dairy produce: cheese of all kinds, grated or powdered | 24% |
| 0406.10 | Dairy produce: fresh cheese (including whey cheese), not fermented, and curd | 11% |
| 0406.40 | Dairy produce: cheese, blue-veined and other cheese containing veins produced by Penicillium roqueforti (not grated, powdered or processed) | 0.5% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 0406.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $6.16 per kg, close to the world average of $5.48.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Cheese exports from Lebanon
In 2024, Lebanon exported cheese worth $2.4 million (493 tonnes). Most of it went to Bulgaria (10%), Republic of the Congo (9%), United Arab Emirates (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 27%. Among the main buyer markets, Gabon grew fastest (+538% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Bulgaria | $235K | 9.8% |
| Republic of the Congo | $225K | 9.4% |
| United Arab Emirates | $187K | 7.8% |
| Gabon | $176K | 7.3% |
| Ghana | $147K | 6.2% |
| Iraq | $141K | 5.9% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $133K | 5.6% |
| Guinea | $128K | 5.4% |
| Kuwait | $120K | 5% |
| Cameroon | $105K | 4.4% |
Who is behind these numbers in Lebanon?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 0406: Cheese and curd.
Common questions
What is the value of cheese imported by Lebanon?
Lebanon imported cheese worth $151.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 24.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 49th of 223 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 23% on 2023.
Which countries supply cheese to Lebanon?
Hungary was the largest supplier with 16% of the value ($23.6 million), followed by Denmark (14%) and Egypt (12%). The top three together account for 41%, out of 37 supplier countries in total. Denmark grew fastest among the top ten, up 122% on the year.
What is the average import price of cheese per kg?
The average declared import value was about $6.16 per kg in 2024, 12% above the world average of $5.48 per kg. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so it blends every grade and size; use it as a benchmark, not a quote. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
How have imports of cheese to Lebanon changed since 2017?
Imports went from $133.2 million in 2017 to $151.5 million in 2024, an increase of 14%. The peak was 2018 at $151.6 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does Lebanon also export cheese?
Yes. Lebanon exported $2.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Bulgaria, the Republic of the Congo and the United Arab Emirates. On balance Lebanon is a net importer of this product, by about $149.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for cheese?
The HS code for cheese is heading 0406. In Lebanon the largest six-digit codes were 0406.90 (36% of the value) and 0406.30 (29%). It sits in HS chapter 04 (dairy produce; birds' eggs; natural honey; edible products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified or included). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0406 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX rebuilds Lebanon trade from the customs records of its trading partners, updated weekly, so you can see the companies that ship to and from it. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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