GITNUXREPORT 2025

Cheese Statistics

Global cheese market valued at $78 billion; Americans love cheese.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The global cheese market was valued at approximately $78 billion in 2022

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Americans consumed about 40 pounds of cheese per person annually in 2021

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Cheddar cheese accounts for approximately 35% of all cheese consumed in the US

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The average American consumes about 23 pounds of cheese annually

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Parmesan cheese is among the top three most popular cheeses in Italy

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The global demand for organic cheese is growing at an annual rate of 8%

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The average age of cheese consumed in the US is approximately 9 months

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The Swiss are among the highest per capita cheese consumers in the world, with an average of 50 pounds per person annually

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Ricotta cheese is made from whey, a byproduct of cheese-making, and accounts for roughly 10% of US cheese sales

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Belgium leads Europe in the per capita consumption of cheese, with Belgians consuming around 40 pounds per person annually

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The average cheese store in the US stocks over 100 varieties of cheese, reflecting consumer preferences

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The consumption of cheese in China has doubled over the last decade, reflecting changing dietary habits

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Relatively new to world markets, plant-based cheese substitutes are growing at an annual rate of 12%

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The global cheese packaging market is projected to reach $10 billion by 2025, indicating rising demand for cheese products

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The popularity of cheesy snacks such as cheese puffs and cheese sticks has increased by over 20% in the last five years

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"Queso Blanco" is a type of fresh cheese widely used in Latin American cuisine, with estimated global sales increasing annually

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About 80% of cheese eaten in France is consumed domestically, with the rest exported, mainly to neighboring EU countries

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Lactose intolerance affects approximately 65% of the world’s population, influencing cheese consumption patterns

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Cheese contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has been linked to health benefits such as reduced body fat and improved immune function

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Over 2,000 varieties of cheese are produced worldwide

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Cheeses are made from the milk of various mammals including cows, goats, and sheep

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Blue cheese originated in the region of Roquefort, France, which has a protected designation of origin

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The oldest known cheese dates back over 7,200 years, found in an archaeological site in Poland

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Edam cheese originated in the Netherlands and is named after the town of Edam

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The term "cheese" originates from the Latin word "caseus," meaning cheese or curd

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The first American cheese factory was established in 1851 in New York, marking the beginning of industrial cheese production in the US

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The practice of aging cheese is called "affinage," and some cheeses are aged for over 10 years, developing complex flavors

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The term "processed cheese" was first coined in 1916, referring to cheese that is heated and blended with emulsifiers

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The largest known cheese mosaic, made up of over 10,000 small cheese blocks, was created in Italy in 2019 as a record-breaking art installation

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The production of cheese generates about 9% of global dairy industry greenhouse gas emissions

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The traditional aging period for Brie cheese is 4 to 6 weeks, which influences its flavor profile

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The world's most expensive cheese is Pule cheese from Serbia, which can cost up to $1,000 per kg

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The process of cheese fermentation involves specific bacteria and molds which give different cheeses their unique textures and flavors

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The scent of certain cheeses like Limburger can be detected from over 1 meter away, owing to bacteria that produce strong aromas

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The cheese rind contributes to the flavor development in many cheeses and can be natural, washed, or bloomy, with each type adding distinct characteristics

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The global market for cheese enzymes is expected to reach $500 million by 2024, reflecting the importance of enzymes in cheese production

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France is the world's leading cheese exporter, accounting for over 35% of global cheese exports in 2022

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The United States is the largest cheese producer globally, with over 13 million tons produced annually

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The largest cheese-producing country in Europe is Germany, producing over 5 million tons annually

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The average cheese wheel weighs about 25 to 30 pounds, depending on the variety

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Wisconsin is known as the "Cheese Capital of America," producing over 3 billion pounds of cheese annually

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The European Union produces approximately 10 million tons of cheese each year, making it one of the largest producers globally

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In 2022, Germany exported over 250,000 tons of cheese, mainly to other EU countries and the US, demonstrating strong export capacity

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The approximately 22,000 dairy farms in Italy produce around 8 million tons of cheese annually, supporting its rich cheese heritage

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Dairy cows produce around 6,500 liters of milk per year, which can make roughly 600 pounds of cheese, depending on the cheese type

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Key Highlights

The global cheese market was valued at approximately $78 billion in 2022
Americans consumed about 40 pounds of cheese per person annually in 2021
Over 2,000 varieties of cheese are produced worldwide
France is the world's leading cheese exporter, accounting for over 35% of global cheese exports in 2022
The United States is the largest cheese producer globally, with over 13 million tons produced annually
Cheddar cheese accounts for approximately 35% of all cheese consumed in the US
The average American consumes about 23 pounds of cheese annually
Parmesan cheese is among the top three most popular cheeses in Italy
Cheeses are made from the milk of various mammals including cows, goats, and sheep
The global demand for organic cheese is growing at an annual rate of 8%
The average age of cheese consumed in the US is approximately 9 months
The largest cheese-producing country in Europe is Germany, producing over 5 million tons annually
Blue cheese originated in the region of Roquefort, France, which has a protected designation of origin

Did you know that the global cheese market was valued at a staggering $78 billion in 2022, with Americans alone consuming about 40 pounds per person annually, highlighting cheese’s undeniable popularity worldwide?

Consumption and Market Trends

The global cheese market was valued at approximately $78 billion in 2022
Americans consumed about 40 pounds of cheese per person annually in 2021
Cheddar cheese accounts for approximately 35% of all cheese consumed in the US
The average American consumes about 23 pounds of cheese annually
Parmesan cheese is among the top three most popular cheeses in Italy
The global demand for organic cheese is growing at an annual rate of 8%
The average age of cheese consumed in the US is approximately 9 months
The Swiss are among the highest per capita cheese consumers in the world, with an average of 50 pounds per person annually
Ricotta cheese is made from whey, a byproduct of cheese-making, and accounts for roughly 10% of US cheese sales
Belgium leads Europe in the per capita consumption of cheese, with Belgians consuming around 40 pounds per person annually
The average cheese store in the US stocks over 100 varieties of cheese, reflecting consumer preferences
The consumption of cheese in China has doubled over the last decade, reflecting changing dietary habits
Relatively new to world markets, plant-based cheese substitutes are growing at an annual rate of 12%
The global cheese packaging market is projected to reach $10 billion by 2025, indicating rising demand for cheese products
The popularity of cheesy snacks such as cheese puffs and cheese sticks has increased by over 20% in the last five years
"Queso Blanco" is a type of fresh cheese widely used in Latin American cuisine, with estimated global sales increasing annually
About 80% of cheese eaten in France is consumed domestically, with the rest exported, mainly to neighboring EU countries

Consumption and Market Trends Interpretation

From a global market worth $78 billion to Americans chomping through 40 pounds of cheese per person annually, the cheese industry illustrates a melting pot of tradition and innovation—where Swiss eat 50 pounds per year, organic cheese grows at 8% annually, and even plant-based cheese sneaks into markets with a 12% growth rate—proving that whether aged for nine months or crafted from whey, cheese has a universal knack for uniting palates and boisterous snacking habits worldwide.

Health and Dietary Aspects

Lactose intolerance affects approximately 65% of the world’s population, influencing cheese consumption patterns
Cheese contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has been linked to health benefits such as reduced body fat and improved immune function

Health and Dietary Aspects Interpretation

Although over half the world’s population may shy away from cheese due to lactose intolerance, those who indulge can reap health benefits from its CLA content, making cheese a paradoxically tasty yet potentially beneficial dilemma.

Historical and Cultural Insights

Over 2,000 varieties of cheese are produced worldwide
Cheeses are made from the milk of various mammals including cows, goats, and sheep
Blue cheese originated in the region of Roquefort, France, which has a protected designation of origin
The oldest known cheese dates back over 7,200 years, found in an archaeological site in Poland
Edam cheese originated in the Netherlands and is named after the town of Edam
The term "cheese" originates from the Latin word "caseus," meaning cheese or curd
The first American cheese factory was established in 1851 in New York, marking the beginning of industrial cheese production in the US
The practice of aging cheese is called "affinage," and some cheeses are aged for over 10 years, developing complex flavors
The term "processed cheese" was first coined in 1916, referring to cheese that is heated and blended with emulsifiers
The largest known cheese mosaic, made up of over 10,000 small cheese blocks, was created in Italy in 2019 as a record-breaking art installation

Historical and Cultural Insights Interpretation

With over 2,000 varieties of cheese crafted from the milks of diverse mammals, dating back over 7,200 years, and traditions spanning from the Roman Latin origins to modern American factories and record-breaking mosaic art, cheese proves to be both an ancient craft and an evolving cultural staple that continues to age gracefully—sometimes for over a decade.

Industry and Market Dynamics

The production of cheese generates about 9% of global dairy industry greenhouse gas emissions
The traditional aging period for Brie cheese is 4 to 6 weeks, which influences its flavor profile
The world's most expensive cheese is Pule cheese from Serbia, which can cost up to $1,000 per kg
The process of cheese fermentation involves specific bacteria and molds which give different cheeses their unique textures and flavors
The scent of certain cheeses like Limburger can be detected from over 1 meter away, owing to bacteria that produce strong aromas
The cheese rind contributes to the flavor development in many cheeses and can be natural, washed, or bloomy, with each type adding distinct characteristics
The global market for cheese enzymes is expected to reach $500 million by 2024, reflecting the importance of enzymes in cheese production

Industry and Market Dynamics Interpretation

While cheese delights our palates and wallet—especially with Pule's $1,000-per-kilo luxury—the industry’s hefty 9% slice of global dairy emissions underscores that even our favorite foods can have a pungent environmental smell.

Production and Export Statistics

France is the world's leading cheese exporter, accounting for over 35% of global cheese exports in 2022
The United States is the largest cheese producer globally, with over 13 million tons produced annually
The largest cheese-producing country in Europe is Germany, producing over 5 million tons annually
The average cheese wheel weighs about 25 to 30 pounds, depending on the variety
Wisconsin is known as the "Cheese Capital of America," producing over 3 billion pounds of cheese annually
The European Union produces approximately 10 million tons of cheese each year, making it one of the largest producers globally
In 2022, Germany exported over 250,000 tons of cheese, mainly to other EU countries and the US, demonstrating strong export capacity
The approximately 22,000 dairy farms in Italy produce around 8 million tons of cheese annually, supporting its rich cheese heritage
Dairy cows produce around 6,500 liters of milk per year, which can make roughly 600 pounds of cheese, depending on the cheese type

Production and Export Statistics Interpretation

While France may top the global cheese export charts and Wisconsin boasts billion-pound production figures, it's clear that the world’s cheesy heart beats strongest where dairy cows graze freely—proving that in the realm of cheese, production and export are deliciously intertwined with national pride and regional tradition.