It’s no secret that Swiss cheese is facing headwinds in South America. Consumers across these markets are price-sensitive, the economic environment is inflationary, and currency effects inevitably weigh on balance sheets.
This has put Swiss cheese’s market share in the region under strain. The challenge is largely down to pricing – according to Switzerland Global Enterprise, Swiss cheese can cost two to three times more than other European cheeses. As a result, the category tracks with affluent rather than mainstream shoppers, with provenance and premium quality perceptions key to converting sales.
But where challenge beckons, opportunity awaits. Brazil is the biggest cheese consumer in the region and the fourth largest globally; Mexico is the second-largest by volume, and Chile commands a high per-capita consumption.
And it’s not just cheese that Swiss dairy companies bring to the region: from yogurt and high-protein dairy drinks to powders and concentrates in foodservice, there’s plenty of scope for expansion across categories, formats and channels.
How Emmi is building scale across Brazil, Chile and Mexico
For Emmi Group, the Americas region is highly important for long-term growth. In FY25, 30.2% of group sales (equivalent to CHF1.43bn) were generated by its Americas business, which also achieved a 6.4% organic growth rate – above group guidance. The region is expected to grow organically by 4–6% in the current year, too.
But Emmi’s business strategy in North and South America has distinct roles. North America is where scalability, premiumisation, and value creation lies; while South America is where future opportunity can be created by shaping entire categories through innovation.
In 2025, Brazil, Chile and Mexico were dynamic growth markets.
Brazil was a major contributor to organic growth in fresh cheese (+20.9%) and powder and concentrates (+31.1%) in the period and is an increasingly important market for health and wellness innovation.
Simone Burgener, communications manager at Emmi, said: “Brazil is not only the largest dairy market in Latin America but also ranks among the top-five milk producers globally. Here, Emmi holds a 70% majority stake in Laticínios Porto Alegre (LPA), one of the leading dairy companies in the state of Minas Gerais – the country’s most important milk-producing region.
“In 2024, Emmi strengthened its position in Brazil through the acquisition of Verde Campo, a brand focused on high-quality, functional dairy products based on premium whey protein. The combination of LPA’s regional leadership and Verde Campo’s innovation-driven portfolio provides a strong foundation for long-term growth in a geographically vast market.”
Chile is one of Emmi’s most advanced markets in Latin America, with performance driven by Quillayes Surlat and a portfolio that represents a full range of cheese, lactose-free dairy, high-protein dairy and fresh dairy items.
And in Mexico, the Swiss company operates through its trade business, Mexideli, which specialises in the import and distribution of premium branded products, including cheeses, cold cuts, and desserts: catering primarily to the gourmet retail and foodservice segments.
It’s a well-diversified business model and one that’s positioned for future growth. Holding majority stakes in LPA and Verde Campo in Brazil is crucial to secure momentum in the healthy dairy segments, for example. Burgener said: “Verde Campo adds an established premium brand with focus on functional dairy products, meeting the needs of a healthy lifestyle consumer segment and adding national reach in Brazil.
“Its proximity to LPA in Minas Gerais creates operational synergies, while both companies continue to operate independently. This setup allows Emmi to broaden its portfolio and accelerate growth in a strategically important market.”
And in Chile, the merger of Surlat and Quillayes six years ago has brought stability as well as opportunity, with Quillayes Surlat maintaining market positions and strengthening its presence in select categories. That’s been achieved in large part through innovation in niche categories and expansion into multiple distribution channels, including traditional and regional retail, as Burgener said.
“Chile’s stable economy and modern agricultural sector continue to provide a solid foundation for further growth potential in the dairy market,” she added.
As for Mexico, one of the key opportunities lies in expanding within high-potential categories such as cold meats and, in particular, desserts.
“Through Mexideli and Comalca, Emmi is well-positioned to meet this demand by offering high-quality, branded products and by strengthening its presence in both the gourmet retail and foodservice channels. Continued focus on product excellence and targeted portfolio optimization will support further growth in this important market,” the spokesperson said.
Sustainability and innovation shaping dairy growth in South America
Beyond this, Latin America is also crucial to advancing Emmi’s on-farm sustainability practices. The company is reducing emissions at farm level, expanding animal‑welfare certification (notably in Chile), improving water stewardship, and piloting climate‑resilient milk production models in Brazil and Chile.
“Quillayes Surlat sources 93% of the milk volume certified with the ‘Bienestar Animal’ animal welfare label,” said Burgener. “This sourcing strategy is a next step and commitment towards making sustainable dairy a standard.”
But when it comes to a single major trend that’s shaping demand in the region, provenance, protein, health, and convenience, all stand out.
“Across Brazil, Chile, and Mexico, we observe a growing demand for high-quality, health-conscious products that reflect both local traditions and responsible production practices,” Burgener said. “Consumers are also increasingly seeking items that are sustainably produced, locally sourced, and aligned with modern lifestyles.
“In response, we are focusing on innovation in areas such as single-serve and on-the-go formats, lactose-free and low-sugar options, and products enriched with protein.
“These developments are particularly relevant in the dairy and ready-to-drink coffee segments, where convenience, functionality, and taste are key drivers of consumer choice.”
As for cheese, Emmi is the leading exporter of Swiss cheese and fondue: and as noted earlier, these are premium rather than everyday staples.
“These products are positioned in the premium segment, with a strong emphasis on Swiss origin, quality, and tradition,” Burgener said. “They are primarily targeted at urban, quality-conscious consumers and are used for special occasions or in gourmet settings.”
While local cheeses dominate everyday consumption, imported Swiss and European cheeses serve a complementary role, offering added value through authenticity, quality and craftsmanship, she added.
And so, the Latin American dairy market offers long-term potential, particularly around sustainable and premium dairy products: but economic volatility is real, and requires disciplined investment and innovation.
“Emmi is addressing these dynamics by focusing on value-added concepts, strengthening local partnerships, and continuing to invest in product innovation and operational resilience across its regional businesses,” Burgener concluded.
