Grated and Blue Cheese Market

The global market for grated, powdered, and blue-veined cheese is expected to see continued growth in consumption, production, imports, and exports over the next decade. With a projected CAGR of +3.2% in consumption and +6.1% in value, the market volume is estimated to reach 21M tons and $161.4B by 2030. The United States dominates in both consumption and production, while Germany, Italy, and other key players contribute significantly to the market. Import and export trends show stable growth patterns, with countries like the Netherlands, Germany, and Greece leading in exports. The industry remains dynamic with fluctuations in prices and trends, offering opportunities for growth and expansion in the global cheese market.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for grated, powdered and blue-veined cheese worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +3.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 21M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +6.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $161.4B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Grated, Powdered and Blue-Veined Cheese

In 2022, the amount of grated, powdered and blue-veined cheese consumed worldwide expanded to 16M tons, increasing by 2.4% against the previous year. In general, the total consumption indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -20.6% against 2020 indices. Global consumption peaked at 21M tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global grated and blue cheese market size rose sharply to $100.3B in 2022, increasing by 6.5% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -17.1% against 2020 indices. Global consumption peaked at $121B in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of grated and blue cheese consumption was the United States (5.3M tons), comprising approx. 33% of total volume. Moreover, grated and blue cheese consumption in the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Germany (1.9M tons), threefold. Italy (1.2M tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 7.5% share.

In the United States, grated and blue cheese consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: Germany (+3.6% per year) and Italy (+6.3% per year).

In value terms, the largest grated and blue cheese markets worldwide were the United States ($24.8B), Turkey ($16.6B) and Italy ($9.3B), with a combined 51% share of the global market. Germany, France, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Australia, the UK, Argentina, Poland and Belarus lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 32%.

Among the main consuming countries, Belarus, with a CAGR of +13.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of grated and blue cheese per capita consumption in 2022 were Belarus (33 kg per person), Germany (22 kg per person) and Australia (22 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Belarus (with a CAGR of +14.6%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Grated, Powdered and Blue-Veined Cheese

In 2022, approx. 16M tons of grated, powdered and blue-veined cheese were produced worldwide; with an increase of 2.5% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -20.7% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 26%. Global production peaked at 20M tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, grated and blue cheese production stood at $99.1B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +10.1% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $129.2B. From 2020 to 2022, global production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The United States (5.5M tons) remains the largest grated and blue cheese producing country worldwide, comprising approx. 34% of total volume. Moreover, grated and blue cheese production in the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Germany (1.8M tons), threefold. Italy (1.2M tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 7.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in the United States totaled +3.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+2.3% per year) and Italy (+7.8% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Grated, Powdered and Blue-Veined Cheese

In 2022, approx. 4.7M tons of grated, powdered and blue-veined cheese were imported worldwide; approximately reflecting 2021 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 6.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs at 4.7M tons in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, grated and blue cheese imports rose significantly to $27.8B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 12%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Germany (688K tons), distantly followed by Italy (270K tons), France (269K tons), Belgium (241K tons), the Netherlands (238K tons) and Spain (231K tons) represented the major importers of grated, powdered and blue-veined cheese, together making up 41% of total imports. The following importers - the UK (195K tons), Japan (191K tons), the United States (165K tons), Russia (144K tons), Mexico (122K tons), Greece (112K tons) and Sweden (104K tons) - together made up 22% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to grated and blue cheese imports into Germany stood at +2.4%. At the same time, Spain (+4.3%), Mexico (+4.2%), France (+4.1%), Sweden (+3.8%), Japan (+3.0%), Belgium (+2.2%), the United States (+1.6%), Greece (+1.6%) and the Netherlands (+1.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Spain emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +4.3% from 2012-2022. Italy and the UK experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Russia (-7.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Russia decreased by -4.9 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Germany ($4.5B) constitutes the largest market for imported grated, powdered and blue-veined cheese worldwide, comprising 16% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by France ($1.8B), with a 6.4% share of global imports. It was followed by Italy, with a 5.3% share.

In Germany, grated and blue cheese imports expanded at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: France (+5.4% per year) and Italy (+1.8% per year).

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average grated and blue cheese import price amounted to $5,943 per ton, picking up by 10% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($8,679 per ton), while Spain ($5,004 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK (+1.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Grated, Powdered and Blue-Veined Cheese

Global grated and blue cheese exports shrank modestly to 4.5M tons in 2022, remaining stable against the year before. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 3.7%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure at 4.5M tons in 2021, and then declined modestly in the following year.

In value terms, grated and blue cheese exports stood at $26.9B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 12%. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports By Country

In 2022, the Netherlands (930K tons), followed by Germany (618K tons), France (409K tons), the United States (304K tons), Italy (289K tons), New Zealand (239K tons) and Ireland (214K tons) represented the major exporters of grated, powdered and blue-veined cheese, together constituting 67% of total exports. Denmark (194K tons), Belgium (123K tons), the UK (113K tons), Poland (113K tons), Greece (109K tons) and Austria (83K tons) took a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Greece (with a CAGR of +8.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest grated and blue cheese supplying countries worldwide were the Netherlands ($4.9B), Germany ($3.4B) and Italy ($3B), together accounting for 42% of global exports. France, the United States, New Zealand, Denmark, Ireland, Greece, the UK, Belgium, Poland and Austria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 41%.

Greece, with a CAGR of +8.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average grated and blue cheese export price amounted to $6,031 per ton, increasing by 8.3% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the average export price increased by 11%. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($10,519 per ton), while New Zealand ($4,948 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by New Zealand (+3.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform