EU cheese production set to rise in 2024
Production and exports set to rise by approximately 1%
9 August 2024
1 minute read
By: In 2024, EU cheese production is set to rise by nearly 1%, reaching approximately 10.5 million tons, according to a recent USDA World Markets and Trade report.
This increase is driven by robust domestic consumption and consistent export demand. The primary producers – Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Poland – contribute nearly three quarters of the EU's total cheese output. Cheese production remains a key priority for the European dairy sector due to its dependable returns and high market demand.
EU cheese exports are projected to grow by 1% to 1.4 million tons in 2024, continuing the upward trend from the previous year. Early-2024 saw a significant boost in cheese exports, particularly to the UK and the United States, driven by increased demand for hard cheeses such as Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano.
Domestic consumption of cheese within the EU is expected to accelerate, supported by economic recovery and the resurgence of the hospitality and tourism sectors. Germany, France, Italy, Poland, and Spain are the leading cheese-consuming countries.
Following a dip in 2022 due to reduced consumer purchasing power, cheese consumption stabilized in 2023, but is anticipated to follow an upward trajectory in 2024. Factors such as rising incomes and the return to pre-COVID levels of tourism and dining out are key contributors to this growth in domestic cheese consumption.
