Research from Fortune Business Insights forecasts the market will expand from $208.66 billion in 2026 to $328.71 billion by 2034.
While Europe dominated the market in 2025 with a market share of 48.43%, the cheese industry in the US is projected to grow “significantly” by 2032.
The report said US growth was being driven by the use of cheese as an ingredient in fast-food items such as pizza and sandwiches as well as its increasing use in ethnic cuisines such as Italian and Mexican.
However, there are a number of trends are driving growth worldwide.
The consumer demand for products that are fresh, homemade, and specialty has seen a growth in artisan producers using natural processing techniques, the research said.
It also pointed to the high consumption of natural cheeses, such as cheddar and parmesan, due to their increasing shelf life, taste profile, use in cooking and growth in own label supermarket cheeses. These cheeses, which are made of natural ingredients contain less or no preservatives, also appeals to those health-conscious consumers, the forecast said.
The continued growth of plant-based and dairy alternatives shows no sign of slowing. This has been driven by a number of factors such as the growth of veganism especially in countries, such as the US, Germany and the UK, health concerns and consumer awareness of the negative impact caused by livestock farming.
Mozzarella accounted for a highest market share due to its widespread use in preparing dishes such as home-cooked pasta, pizza, enchiladas, and risotto, along with its high global consumption.
There is also a growing demand for Western food products in Asia Pacific and Middle Eastern countries that will further drive the adoption of mozzarella and cheddar.
The report also highlighted regional differences and trends.
It found that North America is “primarily driven” by the millennials’ constantly changing snack and dessert consumption habits. The increasing popularity of on-the-go snacking consumption among American millennials has pushed demand for cheese pizza and sandwiches.
European consumers are opting for healthy foods to maintain physical health and well-being. These foods have beneficial traits, such as organic and non-GMO retail positioning. Key players in this market are focusing on diversifying their product portfolios.
While Asia Pacific has seen demand for functional products with “natural claims” and other health-imparting benefits, such as non-GMO or probiotic-enriched.
The market in the Middle East and Africa is witnessing substantial growth as cheese plays a key role in the daily diet, offering different flavours with several nutritional benefits. Millennials from the Middle East are inclined toward healthy snacking, as cheese-used snacks are more often considered a snack.
