{"id":25096,"date":"2025-09-16T14:55:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T14:55:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/25096\/"},"modified":"2025-09-16T14:55:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T14:55:08","slug":"global-cheese-market-to-reach-178-5-billion-by-2035","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/25096\/","title":{"rendered":"Global cheese market to reach $178.5 billion by 2035"},"content":{"rendered":"

Global cheese market growth \u2013 key trends and forecast summaryGlobal cheese market valued at $105.5bn, reaching $178.5bn by 2035Growth accelerating to 4\u20135% CAGR, up from historical 3\u20133.5%Fast food expansion in Asia and Middle East boosts mozzarella demandPremium, plant-based and functional cheeses driving consumer interestEurope and North America lead per-capita value, private label rising<\/p>\n

The global cheese market is thriving. It holds a value of 105.5bn (\u20ac89.32bn) and is projected to hit $178.5bn by 2035, according to analytics group Future Market Insights.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe global cheese market has established itself as one of the most resilient and steadily expanding segments of the broader dairy industry,\u201d says Nandini Roy Choudhury, principal consultant for food and beverage at Future Market Insights.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, market growth is actually speeding up – growing at a CAGR of roughly 4-5%, up from the long-term historical trend of around 3-3.5%<\/p>\n

And this growth is not limited to any one region. It\u2019s a combination of mature demand in Western countries and strong, sustained expansion in emerging markets.<\/p>\n

\"InTh global cheese market is growing at a CAGR of roughly 4-5%, up from the long-term historical trend of around 3-3.5%. (Image: Getty\/Diana Miller)What\u2019s driving growth in the cheese market?<\/p>\n

Future Market Insights\u2019 latest report<\/a> on the global cheese market reveals the significance of foodservice and quick-service restaurants in supporting growth. Pizza chains, burger outlets, and bakery-caf\u00e9 formats continue to expand aggressively in Asia and the Middle East. Cheese \u2013 especially mozzarella, processed slices, and cream cheese \u2013 forms the cornerstone of these menus. <\/p>\n

\u201cIn many Asian cities, the \u2018pizza moment\u2019 that swept across the US and Europe decades ago is only now scaling, leading to outsized consumption growth,\u201d explains Choudhury. <\/p>\n

In Europe and North America, growth is found to be slower but value expansion is strong.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoth regions already have very high per-capita consumption, but the rise of speciality cheeses, PDO\/PGI certified products, and indulgent formats such as triple-cream or aged varieties is helping sustain momentum,\u201d says Choudhury.<\/p>\n

Premiumisation is also fuelling growth here, with brands increasingly highlighting natural and artisanal cheeses.<\/p>\n

The outlook also highlights the interplay between private label and branded products. <\/p>\n

Private label cheese sales, particularly in North America and Europe, are capturing greater household share, as price sensitivity rises. In the US, private label already accounts for around two-fifths of cheese sales, and European retailers are pushing further into premium private-label ranges to protect margins while retaining shoppers during inflationary periods. <\/p>\n

Elsewhere, Latin America presents a diverse picture. Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina dominate consumption, but each market behaves differently. <\/p>\n

\u201cBrazil has strong domestic cheese traditions and growing demand for mozzarella and cheddar due to pizza and burger culture,\u201d says Choudhury. \u201cArgentina, with its deep dairy roots, balances domestic production with exports, and Mexico is increasingly influenced by US dietary patterns and quick-service restaurants penetration.\u201d<\/p>\n

The broader region faces challenges of economic volatility and currency fluctuations, but structural drivers such as a young population, a growing middle class, and urbanisation are creating opportunities for both domestic producers and global entrants. Latin America is also seeing greater interest in specialty cheeses, especially among affluent consumers.<\/p>\n

\"Why-Italy-should-be-synonymous-with-both-gastronomic-excellence-and-food-industry-innovation.jpg\"Brazil has strong domestic cheese traditions and growing demand for mozzarella and cheddar due to pizza and burger culture. (Image: Getty\/Alberto Bogo)Plant-based is booming<\/p>\n

The plant-based cheese category, though small by comparison to dairy cheese ($3\u20133.5bn), is growing at double-digit rates. <\/p>\n

And, while its trajectory has slowed since 2022, it remains one of the fastest-growing sub-segments. <\/p>\n

\u201cInnovations in fermentation, microbial rennet, and cashew-based formulations are gradually improving sensory quality, and health- and sustainability-conscious shoppers continue to experiment,\u201d says Choudhury. \u201cTraditional dairy companies such as Bel Group and Danone are either launching or reshaping their alt-cheese portfolios, signaling long-term commitment despite short-term rationalisations.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"StackTraditional dairy companies such as Bel Group are either launching or reshaping their alt-cheese portfolios. (Image: Getty\/AlexPro9500)Functional cheeses<\/p>\n

Another factor driving growth is the rise of functional and health-orientated cheeses.<\/p>\n

Lactose-free cheese has grown rapidly, particularly in Europe and North America, as awareness of lactose intolerance expands. Reduced-sodium and low-fat cheese formats are also gaining shelf space, catering to older consumers and those monitoring cardiovascular health. At the same time, high-protein and organic labels are being leveraged to position cheese as part of the health-and-wellness lifestyle.<\/p>\n

For parents, fortified cheese sticks and snacks marketed as calcium-rich options for children are gaining popularity. This aligns with broader snacking trends and the push for convenient, portion-controlled formats. Functional positioning is becoming a differentiator that allows both established brands and private labels to carve out space in crowded aisles.<\/p>\n

\"cream-cheese-Sinan-Kocaslan.jpg\"Lactose-free cheese has grown rapidly, particularly in Europe and North America, as awareness of lactose intolerance expands. (Image: Getty\/Sinan Kocaslan)Challenges impacting cheese market<\/p>\n

Despite its growing success, the sector is facing significant challenges. Volatile milk prices, high energy costs, and labour shortages weigh heavily on producer cost structures.<\/p>\n

However, some of the larger dairy companies have responded with capacity expansions, designed around automation and energy efficiency. Arla\u2019s \u20ac59.4m cream-cheese expansion in Denmark is just one of the many examples of this. <\/p>\n

Similarly, mergers and acquisitions, such as Lactalis\u2019s pending acquisition of Fonterra\u2019s consumer dairy businesses, highlight the push for global scale.<\/p>\n

Cheesemakers have also been hit by the rising health and wellness movement, with consumers questioning fat and salt content. Though savvy brands are focussing on the benefits.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn one hand, concerns about fat, salt, and calorie content temper demand,\u201d says Choudhury. \u201cBut on the other, cheese is being rebranded as a protein-rich, nutrient-dense product that can play an integral role in modern diets.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"CheeseFrom low-cost, high-volume processed cheese for quick-service restaurants, to premium niche products sold through speciality retail and direct-to-consumer channels, there’s huge opportunity in the cheese market. (Image: Getty\/Amax Photo)The future of cheese production<\/p>\n

The resilient demand in mature economies and rising demand in emerging markets makes cheese one of the strongest growth stories in the global dairy industry.<\/p>\n

This creates opportunities across the spectrum \u2013 from low-cost, high-volume processed cheese for quick-service restaurants, to premium niche products sold through speciality retail and direct-to-consumer channels.<\/p>\n

With innovation, investment, and strategic positioning, producers are well-placed to navigate challenges and seize the opportunities ahead in this $178.5bn global growth story.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Global cheese market growth \u2013 key trends and forecast summaryGlobal cheese market valued at $105.5bn, reaching $178.5bn by…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":25097,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[21327,72,21328,21329,4894,21330,426,21331,21332,21333,61,21334,60,21335,102,123,21336,9085,21337,21338,21339,21340,21341,21342,21343,21344],"class_list":{"0":"post-25096","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-markets","8":"tag-belluno","9":"tag-business","10":"tag-comfort-food","11":"tag-cutting-board","12":"tag-day","13":"tag-delicious","14":"tag-food","15":"tag-fresh","16":"tag-herb","17":"tag-homemade","18":"tag-ie","19":"tag-indoors","20":"tag-ireland","21":"tag-italian-food","22":"tag-italy","23":"tag-markets","24":"tag-mozzarella","25":"tag-nobody","26":"tag-olive","27":"tag-overhead-view","28":"tag-pizza","29":"tag-ready-to-eat","30":"tag-rustic","31":"tag-slice","32":"tag-tomato","33":"tag-veneto"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25096","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25096"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25096\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25097"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25096"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25096"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25096"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}