Global Cheese Market Size, Share and Growth Analysis Report - Forecast Trends and Outlook (2024-2032)

Cheese Market Trends

Consumers increasingly prefer natural, clean-label, and artisanal cheeses due to health-conscious trends.

One of the emerging trends in the global market for cheese is the increasing demand for natural and clean-label cheeses, especially in North America and Europe. Natural and clean-label cheeses continue to gain popularity as health-conscious consumers opt for the least processed and artificial additive-free cheeses, thus shaping new trends in the cheese market. This trend reflects the growing popularity of organic, lactose-free, and artisanal cheeses. Another factor driving growth is the convenience factor, such as pre-sliced or ready-to-eat formats. Companies are responding by innovating healthier, cleaner cheese options to meet the evolving preferences of their customer base.

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Industry News

August 2024

Plonts launched its aged plant-based cheddar at select New York and San Francisco restaurants, following a USD 12 million seed round, using fermentation to create bold, sustainable cheese alternatives.

November 2024

Boursin has launched a new vegan garlic and herb cheese block for the holiday season, made with potato starch, coconut oil, and herbs, aiming to attract plant-based consumers.

Opportunities in the Cheese Market

The rising demand for artisanal, organic cheeses presents significant market growth opportunities globally.

An enormous opportunity in the global market for cheese arises from the increasing demand for artisanal and specialty cheeses, shaping cheese market opportunities. Consumers are becoming increasingly health-conscious and willing to pay more for products made from organic and sustainable sources. Thus, as consumers look for more unique, high-quality cheese experiences, brands will have the opportunity to grow their offerings in premium and artisanal categories. For instance, blue cheese and organic cheeses have become a success because of their application and appeal to health-conscious buyers.

Market Dynamics

Precision fermentation enables dairy-free cheese production with sustainable, animal-free proteins, increasing demand.

Precision fermentation is one of the major technologies increasing cheese demand and boosting the cheese market dynamics and trends. This new method permits more efficient, sustainable ways of producing dairy proteins by not involving animals. Companies, such as Perfect Day, use precision fermentation to create proteins that closely mirror those within traditional cheeses. This capability allows the company to build dairy-free cheeses that provide the same taste and mouthfeel of their traditional counterparts. It caters to the growing market for plant-based and sustainable food alternatives, marking new opportunities.

Growth Drivers

Market is is driven by rising demand for convenience, protein, and diverse flavors.

There are several key driving the growth of the global cheese market. First, there is a growing consumer demand for diverse cheese products, especially in fast food and ready-to-eat meals. As urbanization increases, so does disposable income, meaning that more people eat outside and enjoy cheese-based dishes. Cheese is also a popular source of protein, calcium, and other nutrients, making it a staple in diets. Interest in gourmet cheeses and innovative product development also spur the market.

Market Restraints

Rising costs, health trends, supply disruptions, and strict regulations limit market growth.

• Rising production costs, especially for dairy feed and energy, are affecting the prices of cheese worldwide, which is making it hard for producers to maintain profit margins.
• Strict rules concerning safety, production, and labelling about food may easily make the process complicated, especially when cheese is for export into various markets in different standards, leading to cheese market challenges.
• Health-conscious trends among consumers are affecting cheese consumption, as alternatives like plant-based cheeses gain popularity, reducing demand for traditional dairy-based options.
• Fluctuations in milk supply and quality caused by climate change, disease outbreaks, among other factors, can disrupt the supply chain for cheese production.

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Cheese Industry Segmentation

“Cheese Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Source

• Cow Milk
• Buffalo Milk
• Goat Milk
• Others

Market Breakup by Type

• Natural
• Processed

Market Breakup by Product

• Mozzarella
• Cheddar
• Feta
• Parmesan
• Roquefort
• Others

Market Breakup by Distribution Channel

• Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
• Convenience Stores
• Specialty Stores
• Online
• Others

Market Breakup by Format

• Slices
• Diced/Cubes
• Shredded
• Blocks
• Spreads
• Liquid
• Others

Market Breakup by Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

Cheese Market Share

By Source Analysis

Cows' milk cheese remains popular due to taste, availability, and use in processed foods.

Global demand for cow's milk cheese remains high as cows' milk is the most popular source for milk in cheese manufacturing. The segment also includes an assortment of cheeses that vary greatly by type, texture, taste, and customer preference. There is a whole spectrum of cheeses available on the market, including fresh, soft cheeses such as Mozzarella and Brie and aged, hard cheeses, such as Cheddar and Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Cheese is a staple in many Western diets and is increasingly being incorporated into culinary traditions worldwide. Cow's milk cheese, in particular, is often preferred for its familiar taste and wide availability. The processed food sector, including frozen meals, snacks, and ready-to-eat products, heavily utilises cow's milk cheese, contributing to its consistent demand.

Market Analysis by Type

Natural cheese is gaining demand for its authenticity, quality, minimal processing, and health benefits.

Natural cheese accounts for an important market share in the cheese market, based on cheese market analysis. The demand of natural cheese in the market is vast and in turn increases due to consumer's awareness toward authentic, quality and flavor-rich products. Natural cheese, on the other hand, is any type of cheese prepared directly from milk and kept as much minimally processed and without using artificial preservatives, colours, or flavour.

As consumers are becoming more health-conscious, the demand for natural and wholesome foods is increasing. Natural cheese is perceived to be a healthier alternative because of minimal processing and no artificial additives. Additionally, consumers are willing to pay a premium for natural cheeses that offer unique flavors, origins, and artisanal qualities.

Product Insights

Mozzarella's demand is driven by its versatility, melting quality, and use in pizza, lasagna, and convenience foods.

Mozzarella cheese is widely recognized as one of the most used and liked cheeses in the market due to its mild flavor and high melting properties. Several factors have an influence on demand, ranging from culinary trends to diverse applications. Mozzarellas are quintessential components of pizzas, which are popular in fast food and casual dining outlets. The melting qualities and neutral taste of this cheese suit a wide range of pizza styles.

In addition to pizza, Mozzarella is used in other dishes such as lasagna, salads (such as Caprese), sandwiches, and appetizers. Its wide application in various cuisines is the reason for its high demand. The ready-to-eat and convenience food industries are also on the rise, which involves using Mozzarella in frozen meals, pre-cooked snacks, and meal packages.

Distribution Channel Analysis

Supermarkets and hypermarkets lead cheese sales with variety, promotions, and private label products.

According to cheese industry analysis, the product has sold the most in supermarkets and hypermarkets. Supermarkets and hypermarkets have a wide choice of cheese products, which range from simple, everyday versions to gourmet and specialty cheeses, accommodating a wide range of consumer preference and budgets.

Such retail giants usually employ promotional activities such as discounts, tasting events, and pairing recommendations that may directly influence the purchasing decision of the consumer and enhance the sales of cheese. In addition, information labels and knowledgeable in-store staff may educate consumers on the types of cheese, their origin, and uses, and encourage consumers to explore new varieties. Many supermarkets and hypermarkets now offer their private label cheese products which provide quality cheese at competitive prices and private labels can be a strong competitor to established brands of cheese.

Format Insights

Pre-sliced cheese offers convenience, used widely in sandwiches, snacks, and food service.

Slices account for the market segment that defines products containing pre-sliced cheese, highly consumed as these can be easily used. This gives pre-sliced cheese more advantage in terms of convenience when people are busy or need ready options in preparing meals because it has no slicing and portioning, which saves time and labor. Sliced cheese will give equal portions, helpful in uniform sandwich making, cooking, and baking.

Sliced cheese is widely consumed by individual customers and families for home consumption in supermarkets and grocery stores. It is commonly used in sandwiches, burgers, and other fast foods. The food service sector, including restaurants, cafes, and fast-food chains, frequently employs pre-sliced cheese to ensure uniformity and speed in food preparation.

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Cheese Market Regional Insights

North America Cheese Market Opportunities

The North America cheese market has a strong export demand, reaching a record high, especially in South Korea and Central America. Vermont's initiatives for cheese and the USDA's USD 23 million grants stimulate innovation and increase local dairy processing capacity. These programs assist small farms in marketing and value-added production, which increases market potential. United States cheese exports also benefit from a good international trust and a rising specialty cheese market.

Asia Pacific Cheese Market Trends

Asia Pacific's cheese consumption is rapidly increasing due to urbanization and increasing westernization in diets. Imports are led by Japan and South Korea, which enjoy free-trade agreements with major suppliers. China's cheese demand is growing at over 8% annually, driven by consumer education that makes it versatile. Regional investments in production seek to meet the demand locally while addressing the challenges of import dependency.

Europe Cheese Market Dynamics

Europe remains the world's largest producer of cheese, with the largest production coming from France, Germany, and Italy. The EU subsidies and PDO-protected cheeses preserve traditional markets, while growing lactose-free and plant-based segments adjust to consumer preferences changing. Exports are buoyant despite Brexit-related setbacks, with global recognition for the quality of European cheese helping to sustain trade. Sustainability aims to decrease the emissions of dairy operations.

Middle East and Africa Cheese Market Drivers

Processed cheese demand increases in the Middle East owing to better disposable incomes and expansion of modern retail. The regional government encourages dairy self-sufficiency and puts investments into high-tech production facilities. Africa's market for cheese is growing progressively with more local consumption happening in the urban areas. Trade relations with the U.S. and Europe strengthen supply chain efficiencies.

Latin America Cheese Market Insights

Brazil and Argentina drive Latin America's cheese market growth by utilizing strong milk production. Artisanal cheeses are encouraged through government programs, particularly for export, in Mexico. Fresh and semi-hard cheese consumption increases with growing middle-class affordability. Regional challenges involve improving supply chain inefficiencies to meet growing domestic and export demands.

Competitive Landscape

Innovation, sustainability, and diversification are the main focus of the cheese market players. Market players are launching plant-based cheeses to cater to the vegan and lactose intolerant consumer base. They are also investing in green packaging and sustainable sourcing for environmental concerns. Other key priorities of cheese companies include expansion into emerging markets, leveraging digital platforms for e-commerce, and enhancing production efficiency with advanced technologies. Premium offerings such as artisanal and aged cheeses are also a priority to cater to evolving consumer tastes.

Key Market Players

Key industry leaders in this market are:

Nestlé SA founded in 1866 and based in Vevey Switzerland provides processed and premium cheese products through brands such as Maggi and Nestlé Professional to culinary and retail markets across the globe.

Danone SA, founded in 1919 and based in Paris France, manufactures specialty and spreadable cheeses through its Actimel and Alpro brands with a focus on both dairy-based and plant-based choices for the health-conscious.

Dairy Farmers of America Inc established in 1998 and headquartered in Kansas City Missouri USA provides cheddar mozzarella and cream cheeses through brands like Borden supported by cooperative farmer networks.

Lactalis International established in 1933 and headquartered in Laval France offers a range of soft hard and specialty cheeses through brands like Président and Galbani emphasizing traditional methods and global export.

Other key players in the global cheese market are Fonterra Co-operative Group, Royal FrieslandCampina N.V., and Arla Foods amba., among others.

Recent Developments

September 2024

Atalanta launches Cracking Good, a pub-themed British Isles cheese brand featuring three aged, grass-fed milk cheddars from Ireland, Scotland, and England.

September 2024

RELCO partnered with Milky Mist Dairy to establish India's largest cheddar cheese plant, integrating advanced technologies to double production capacity and meet rising domestic and export cheese demand.