Cheese is expected to maintain double-digit retail current value growth in India in 2024. The country has a high population base of vegetarians, with 32% of respondents to Euromonitor’s Voice of the Consumer Survey in January-February 2024 saying, “I am vegetarian”. The vegetarian diet can often be low in protein content due to a lack of meat. To increase the intake of protein and have a more balanced diet, consumers are increasingly turning towards cheese, especially paneer, a type of cottage c

Brazil’s weather patterns are affected by the alternating La Ninã and El Niño phenomena, which have had greater impacts in recent years. El Niño, which started in 2023 and continued in 2024, caused one of the biggest natural disasters in the history of the country in the first quarter of 2024, in Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state of Brazil. After experiencing heavy rain and historic floods, 94% of the municipalities in the state were under water, and hundreds of thousands of people were

Retail value and volume sales of cheese in South Korea continue to increase in 2024, spanning soft cheese, hard cheese, spreadable cheese, and processed cheese. Currently, South Korean consumers are exhibiting polarised taste preferences, with a growing demand for health-conscious foods that are low in calories and sugar, and high in protein, while simultaneously favouring spicy and strongly flavoured foods. Amid these extreme dietary habits, cheese stands out for its ability to meet both ends o

After a strong spike in 2022, the average unit price of cheese in Peru continues to slow in 2024. Despite this stabilisation, there has not been a corresponding strong increase in retail volume sales, although they remain positive and above pre-pandemic levels.

Cheese continues to witness stable consumer demand in Slovenia in 2024, bolstered by its versatility as both a staple food and an increasingly popular snacking option. Many cheese connoisseurs and health-conscious consumers, particularly those following low-carbohydrate diets or seeking to increase their protein intake, are turning to cheese as a healthier alternative to carbohydrate- and sugar-laden snacks. This shift in snacking preferences is driving the steady consumption of cheese throughou

Cheese in Sweden is facing maturity as a category in 2024, though its products remain trendy for snacking and for use in cooking and sandwiches. As such, the per capita consumption continues to rise. The flavour experience continues to be the main attraction of cheese, with players working to offer Swedes more premium flavours and deliver new flavours and mouthfeel. Arla introduced several new cheeses, which the brand states as “bringing more flavour to everyday life.” The Arla Billinge cheese i

Cheese in Kenya continues to be negatively affected by price-sensitivity at the end of the review period. Average retail current unit prices are set to see double-digit increases across categories over 2024. This is driving consumers towards more affordable alternatives to cheese, especially amidst a high cost-of-living and inflation rate. This shift is also reflected in their purchasing decisions within cheese, with a preference for budget-friendly over more premium varieties. For example, loca

Like many packaged food categories, cheese in Canada is also affected by a general cooling down of price increases during 2024, although rises remain significant. The slowdown in price rises is dampening retail value growth, although consumption remains strong, leading to more consistent retail volume growth. Cheese is gaining increased attention from health enthusiasts due to its high nutritional value. A number of varieties in cheese, particularly in hard cheese, are considered to contain heal

Cheese is struggling in retail volume terms in Slovakia in 2024, with value sales better supported by high prices. Meanwhile, foodservice volume sales are notably stronger, due to the wide use of cheese as an ingredient in local cuisine.

Cheese in Uzbekistan is expected to register modest volume and constant value growth in 2024. Continuing population growth support volumes sales. Soft cheese is more traditional in Uzbekistan continues to account for most value sales and is also expected to register the highest value and volume growth. Within hard cheese, unpackaged is much more popular, though packaged is expected to register higher volume growth in 2024, as brands offer more competitive prices to encourage sales. Examples of b

The significant increase in cheese prices in Serbia in 2024 has led to a decline in volume sales, although the unit price growth has simultaneously driven up the overall value sales of cheese. This price surge has heightened price sensitivity among consumers, leading to a widespread presence of discounts. Retailers often offer substantial price reductions, with some discounts reaching as much as 40% off for 1 kg packs of cheese. In contrast, smaller package sizes typically come with more modest

Cheese in Malaysia is projected to see moderate retail current value growth over 2024, although this is due to price hikes as retail volume sales fall strongly across the board. Nonetheless, cheese has gained popularity through perceived nutritional benefits, such as high calcium, which aids children’s growth and bone and joint health, and high protein content. Cheese has also benefited from growing the exposure to and influence of Western cuisines during the review period to consolidate its pos

Spreadable cheese remains one of the most popular options in cheese in Cameroon in 2024 driven by its affordability and familiarity. Spreadable cheese has the longest standing presence of any cheese in the Cameroonian market. Brands like La Vache Qui Rit and Kiri, sell for around XAF900 per pack while new brand Milkana sells for around XAF1000 per pack. In contrast, soft cheese has continued to struggle in 2024 reporting a steep decline in retail volume terms, which is largely due to its exorbit

In the Philippines, sales of cheese are predominantly accounted for by spreadable cheese and processed cheese; the former faces competition from various spreads, but has shown notable resilience in 2024. Despite the challenges from competing products, cheese is expected to demonstrate moderate growth in both retail current value and volume terms in the Philippines in 2024. This growth is particularly evident in processed cheese (excl spreadable), which is set to experience a solid increase in re

Two key sales drivers of cheese in South Africa remain evident in 2024, both of which revolve around price and are dependent on consumers’ economic circumstances. First, due to the high cost of cheese, South Africans who are under financial pressure tend to consume less cheese monthly, instead opting to purchase smaller pack sizes based on a lower unit price. This allows them to monitor their cheese intake and ration where needed, ensuring the product lasts until they have the necessary budget t

Foodservice sales of cheese are declining in volume terms in 2024 due to two main reasons. First, there has been a drop in sales of spreadable cheese due to a switch to vegetable spreads. These products are widely available in Tunisia and are more affordable compared to spreadable cheese, which is an important factor given the high inflation and rising costs being seen in the country. Foodservice sales of hard cheese are also declining in 2024. This is largely due to the significant presence of

In 2024, one of the most notable developments in cheese in Turkey is the projected further dynamic increase in the average retail current unit price. However, the expected high double-digit increase is below the triple-digit rise in the average retail current unit price witnessed in cheese in Turkey in 2022-2023. Hikes in unit prices are underpinned by high inflation and the substantial devaluation of the Turkish lira. Currency devaluation directly influences the costs of raw milk, a fundamental

The use of cheese in various culinary applications is experiencing a significant rise in Pakistan in 2024, largely driven by the growing popularity of Western cuisine and fusion dishes. Cheeses such as mozzarella, cheddar, and feta are becoming staple ingredients in a wide range of dishes, including pizzas, pastas, salads, and gourmet recipes. This trend reflects an evolving culinary culture where cheese is being embraced not just as a stand-alone product but as a versatile component in diverse

Retail consumption of cheese remains low in 2024, despite seeing an improved performance in volume terms compared to 2023. In 2023, most consumers returned to their pre-pandemic lifestyles. After years of frequent home-cooked meals, there was a surge in dining out in 2023 which led to a decline in home cooking and cheese consumption. Consumers continue to enjoy dining out in 2024 with foodservice sales of cheese being much higher than retail sales. With sustained interest in traveling, especiall

Cheese is a popular dairy product in Guatemala and is expected to register healthy current value and volume growth in 224. Lower-income buyers continue to consume unpackaged soft cheese (usually unbranded), which is available in most independent grocers across the country. Mid-income consumers also consume unpackaged soft cheese, although they continue to migrate towards similar branded and packaged alternatives, which are found across both traditional and modern grocery retailers.

Cheese in Uruguay experienced modest growth in retail volume terms during 2023, and a similar trend is anticipated in 2024. Uruguay's per capita cheese consumption is among the highest in Latin America and the world, reflecting the country’s long-standing tradition of cheese production. The recovery of purchasing power, alongside the decline in cross-border shopping in Argentina following the devaluation of the exchange rate, has contributed to this growth. Additionally, improved weather conditi

In 2024, cheese is poised to be a key driver of growth in the Lithuanian dairy products and alternatives market, especially in terms of retail value. As the economic environment shows signs of stabilisation, consumers are becoming more open to exploring higher-priced options. This trend is particularly evident in the growing popularity of hard cheeses, which are increasingly favoured for their diverse and robust flavours. The category’s resilience was notable during the challenging period of rec

Cheese in Ireland is following a cross-category trend in 2024, with retail volume sales suppressed by high unit prices while value is better supported by the same factor. Within this environment, price-sensitive consumers are seeking value for money, which is benefitting private label options for example. Indeed, the two overall top brands in cheese are from discounters Lidl (Lidl Ireland GmbH) and Aldi (Aldi Ireland Ltd). Such retailers are gaining ground by offering high-quality cheeses at low

While cheese is seeing a healthy retail value performance in Kazakhstan in 2024, supported by high prices, retail volume sales achieve only small growth. It is noted that cheese has a long way to go to reach its potential in the country, and that cheese has also been one of the categories affected by the Russia-Ukraine war, due to Kazakhstan’s trade links with Russia. Added to which, there is not a strong local tradition for cheese consumption in Kazakhstan, thus making the product more vulnerab