HS Code:
Subheading 0406.30.28 of the Harmonized System (HS) Code pertains to processed cheese, not grated or powdered, in packages not containing over 18% by weight of butterfat, and not specifically provided for elsewhere. This category includes a variety of processed cheese products used in retail and food service sectors globally. These products are typically manufactured by blending natural cheeses with emulsifiers, stabilizers, and other ingredients to achieve a consistent texture and extended shelf life, making them popular for convenience foods.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately $2.5 billion USD
Data from 2022
Source
International Trade Centre (ITC) Trade Map and UN Comtrade Database
$650 million USD
26% of global trade of total trade
Increasing
$480 million USD
19% of global trade of total trade
Stable
$320 million USD
13% of global trade of total trade
Increasing
$250 million USD
10% of global trade of total trade
Stable
$180 million USD
7% of global trade of total trade
Increasing
Average Rate
10.5% ad valorem
Highest Rate
35% (applied by certain developing countries to protect local dairy industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU-USMCA or within the EU Single Market)
Rising demand for convenience foods
Increased consumption of processed cheese in fast food and ready-to-eat meals, driving export growth in major producing countries.
2021-2022
Shift towards plant-based alternatives
Growing competition from vegan cheese substitutes, slightly impacting traditional processed cheese market share in developed regions.
2022
Sustainability focus in production
Manufacturers adopting eco-friendly packaging and sustainable sourcing of dairy, influencing consumer preferences and trade policies.
2020-2022
Post-Brexit trade agreements have facilitated increased exports of processed cheese from EU countries like Germany and France to non-EU markets, offsetting losses in the UK market.
January 2023
Strengthened EU position in global processed cheese trade, with a projected 5% growth in exports for 2023.
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has reduced tariffs on processed cheese exports to Canada and Mexico, boosting US market share in North America.
July 2022
Increased trade volume by approximately 8% for US exporters in the North American region.
Rising demand in Middle Eastern countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and UAE, for processed cheese due to population growth and changing dietary habits.
October 2022
Significant export opportunities for major producers like the US and EU, with a 10% year-on-year increase in trade volume to the region.