In 2022, the average consumer in the United States ate about 41.8 pounds of cheese. Over the past ten years, U.S. per capita consumption of cheese has increased by over five pounds. Cheese production Wisconsin and California are the leading American states in terms of cheese production. Wisconsin led the country, producing over three and a half billion pounds of the dairy product, while California accounted for an estimated two and a half billion. The EU-27, however, produced by far the highest volume of cheese in the world. Cheese prices While the retail price of a pound of cheese has fluctuated over the past few decades, the dairy product has generally become more expensive. While the price per pound was less than four U.S. dollars in 1999, the average cost in 2022 was closer to six U.S. dollars.

Europe has the highest level of per capita cheese consumption. In 2023, people in the European Union ate on average 20.5 kilograms of cheese. U.S. and Canada came in second and third in that year at about 17.96 and 14.59 kilograms of cheese per capita. Cheese market in Europe Europe is a major player in the global cheese industry. The 27 nations of the European Union generated 10.55 million metric tons of cheese in 2022, almost twice as much as the second leading producer. As of 2021, Germany and the Netherlands were the top exporters of cheese worldwide, each exporting over four billion U.S. dollars worth of cheese in that year. Global cheese consumption The United States and the EU-27 were the top consumers of cheese worldwide. Per capita cheese consumption in the United States was about 40.3 pounds in 2021, up from 35 pounds in 2010. Shredded cheese had the highest level of unit sales of any type of cheese in the United States. Shredded cheese is commonly used in dishes such as pizza, quesadillas, and macaroni and cheese.

Diet trends such as veganism do not seem to have had an effect on French people's cheese consumption. Indeed, the annual consumption of cheese per capita has varied very little between 2007 and 2022: it stayed between 25.6 and 27.6 kilograms per inhabitant per year.

The Dutch are not just enthusiastic producers and exporters of cheese, they also love to eat cheese. The per capita consumption of cheese in the Netherlands was around 17.4 kilos in 2021, and according to a recent Statista forecast, this was expected to fluctuate until at least 2025.

 Per capita milk consumption   

The outlook for other types of dairy products was almost equally bright. The consumption of milk for example increased in the last few years, from over 33 liters per person in 2014 to 37.3 in 2027.

Per capita butter consumption  

Producers of butter in the Netherlands need to worry less. Between 2010 and 2017, the average consumption of butter per person increased nearly year on year, peaking in 2016 at 4.3 kilos. In 2017, the per capita consumption amounted to four kilos on average.  

Czech Republic Consumption: per Capita Avg: Food: ME: Cheese: Processed Cheese data was reported at 2.090 kg in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.900 kg for 2021. Czech Republic Consumption: per Capita Avg: Food: ME: Cheese: Processed Cheese data is updated yearly, averaging 2.200 kg from Dec 1998 (Median) to 2022, with 25 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.900 kg in 2001 and a record low of 1.800 kg in 2019. Czech Republic Consumption: per Capita Avg: Food: ME: Cheese: Processed Cheese data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Czech Statistical Office. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Czech Republic – Table CZ.H022: Food and Beverage Consumption: per Capita Average.

Indonesia Average Weekly Consumption per Capita: Eggs and Milks: Cheese data was reported at 0.005 oz in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.002 oz for 2014. Indonesia Average Weekly Consumption per Capita: Eggs and Milks: Cheese data is updated yearly, averaging 0.002 oz from Dec 2003 (Median) to 2017, with 12 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.005 oz in 2017 and a record low of 0.001 oz in 2010. Indonesia Average Weekly Consumption per Capita: Eggs and Milks: Cheese data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Indonesia Premium Database’s Domestic Trade and Household Survey – Table ID.HC007: Average Weekly Consumption per Capita.

In 2022, a total of 7.49 kilograms of cheese were consumed per capita in Spain from a variety of types of cheese as depicted above. The most consumed type of cheese by Spaniards that year was fresh cheese with an annual per capita consumption of two kilograms. Semi-cured cheese was the second favorite as each person on average bought roughly 1.7 kilograms that year.

Czech Republic Consumption: per Capita Avg: Food: ME: Cheese data was reported at 13.780 kg in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 14.400 kg for 2021. Czech Republic Consumption: per Capita Avg: Food: ME: Cheese data is updated yearly, averaging 13.100 kg from Dec 1998 (Median) to 2022, with 25 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 14.400 kg in 2021 and a record low of 8.800 kg in 1998. Czech Republic Consumption: per Capita Avg: Food: ME: Cheese data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Czech Statistical Office. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Czech Republic – Table CZ.H022: Food and Beverage Consumption: per Capita Average.

Poland Household Consumption: Monthly Avg: per Capita: Cheese data was reported at 0.860 kg in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.850 kg for 2016. Poland Household Consumption: Monthly Avg: per Capita: Cheese data is updated yearly, averaging 0.860 kg from Dec 1995 (Median) to 2017, with 23 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.950 kg in 2012 and a record low of 0.770 kg in 1995. Poland Household Consumption: Monthly Avg: per Capita: Cheese data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistical Office. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Poland – Table PL.H016: Household Budget Survey: Consumption per Capita.

Czech Republic Consumption: per Capita Avg: Food: ME: Cheese: Hard, Soft and Blue data was reported at 11.690 kg in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 12.500 kg for 2021. Czech Republic Consumption: per Capita Avg: Food: ME: Cheese: Hard, Soft and Blue data is updated yearly, averaging 10.880 kg from Dec 1998 (Median) to 2022, with 25 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12.500 kg in 2021 and a record low of 6.100 kg in 1998. Czech Republic Consumption: per Capita Avg: Food: ME: Cheese: Hard, Soft and Blue data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Czech Statistical Office. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Czech Republic – Table CZ.H022: Food and Beverage Consumption: per Capita Average.

Czech Republic Consumption: per Capita Avg: Food: Milk, Milk Pdt, Cheese & Egg (ME): Milk & Milk Pdt excl Butter data was reported at 239.670 l in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 255.200 l for 2021. Czech Republic Consumption: per Capita Avg: Food: Milk, Milk Pdt, Cheese & Egg (ME): Milk & Milk Pdt excl Butter data is updated yearly, averaging 232.400 l from Dec 1998 (Median) to 2022, with 25 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 255.200 l in 2021 and a record low of 191.400 l in 1998. Czech Republic Consumption: per Capita Avg: Food: Milk, Milk Pdt, Cheese & Egg (ME): Milk & Milk Pdt excl Butter data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Czech Statistical Office. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Czech Republic – Table CZ.H022: Food and Beverage Consumption: per Capita Average.

Czech Republic Consumption: per Capita Avg: Food: ME: Curd Cheese data was reported at 4.950 kg in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 4.700 kg for 2021. Czech Republic Consumption: per Capita Avg: Food: ME: Curd Cheese data is updated yearly, averaging 3.600 kg from Dec 1998 (Median) to 2022, with 25 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.950 kg in 2022 and a record low of 3.200 kg in 2005. Czech Republic Consumption: per Capita Avg: Food: ME: Curd Cheese data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Czech Statistical Office. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Czech Republic – Table CZ.H022: Food and Beverage Consumption: per Capita Average.

In 2024, the European Union consumed about 9.5 million metric tons of cheese, an amount that far exceeded consumption numbers in other parts of the world. In 2019, China, which has a population three times as large as that of the EU, only consumed an estimated 409 thousand metric tons of cheese. Cheese in Canada Not only did Canadians consume a considerable amount of cheese in 2022, but they also produce significant quantities of it. In 2021, the country produced an estimate of 540 million kilograms worth of cheese. Firm and semi-soft cheese were the two types to be produced the most in Canada. Vegan cheese market Vegan alternatives to established foods and dishes have become increasingly popular in recent years and the concept is still a growing market. One specific market in this vein is the global vegan cheese market. What was approximately worth about two billion U.S. dollars in 2015, is projected to grow to almost four billion U.S. dollars by 2024.

The average volume per capita in the 'Cheese Substitutes' segment of the food market in the United States was forecast to remain on a similar level in 2030 as compared to 2025 with 0.03 kilograms. According to this forecast, the average volume per capita will stay nearly the same over the forecast period. Find further information concerning the average revenue per capita in the 'Fruits & Nuts' segment of the food market in Iceland and the revenue in the 'Breakfast Cereals' segment of the food market in Canada. The Statista Market Insights cover a broad range of additional markets.

Weekly cheese consumption in the UK fluctuated during this period. In 2014, it dropped to 111 grams, the lowest since 2008. Since then the average purchase per person per week has been increasing annually. By the end of the 2022/2023 year, cheese purchases averaged at 127 grams per week. This was the largest amount in the period of consideration. Cheddar, the nation's favorite cheeseOriginating in the Somerset village of Cheddar, this cheese is consistently the most consumed cheese in the UK. The average purchase volume per person per week amounts to more than 60 grams. The second most popular type is soft natural cheese. An estimated 26.37 million people consumed English cheddar in 2020, far more than the second highest ranked cheese variety mozzarella. Leading cheese brandsIn terms of cheese in blocks or grated, the most popular brand is Cathedral City, with more than 13 million consumers in 2020. When blocks of cheese are excluded, the nation’s favorite cheese brand is Dairylea, with almost seven million users in the same year.

This statistic illustrates the average purchase volume per person per week of cheese in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2006 to 2022/23, by type. The volume of cheese purchased per person per week has remained relatively steady in the period under consideration, with purchase levels of the different types varying. Consumption has reached a level of 27 grams of cheese per person per week, with all types combined.

The per capita consumption of cheese in Norway fluctuated from 2010 to 2024. In 2024, the average volume of cheese consumed in Norway amounted to 19.9 kilograms per capita.

This statistic presents data on the volume of cheese consumed per capita in Belgium from 2013 to 2017, with a forecast for 2018 to 2022 (in kilograms). In this period, the per capita consumption of cheese in Belgium decreased nearly year on year. In 2013, on average Belgians ate 11.3 kilograms of cheese per year. By 2017, this had decreased to 11.1 kilograms per capita. In the future, the per capita cheese consumption is expected to decrease only further. According to this forecast, by 2022 the Belgians will eat approximately 10.6 kilos per person per year.

Cheese consumption per capita in Canada peaked in 2021 at 13.1 kilograms of cheese per person. The estimated and forecast figures for 2023 and 2024 are both 12.6 kilograms, a slight decrease from 2022 consumption.

China is the fourth-largest milk producer in the world in 2020, after India, the United States and Pakistan. However, per capita consumption of dairy products in China is less than one-third of the global average and lower than in many other developing countries. Due to traditional Chinese dietary patterns and lower living standards, the routine consumption of dairy products is limited across the country.Moreover, dairy product consumption varies considerably across China. Consumption in rural regions is less than 10% of that in urban areas. Industry revenue is expected to grow at an annualized 8.6% over the five years through 2023, to $86.6 billion, increasing by 6.4% from 2022. Rising household incomes, peoples' rising consciousness on health, the implementation of China's three-child policy, the introduction of new dairy products and growing demand from rural markets have driven this growth.This industry covers a wide range of products, and profit margins depend on different kinds of products. Industry profit makes up approximately 7.1% of industry revenue in 2023. In 2021, China's per capita milk consumption was 14.4kg, far below the world average. China's dairy demand is expected to maintain a relatively high growth in the next few years. The driving factors include rural consumption upgrades, urbanization and multiple types of dairy products.The dairy industry was temporarily affected by the outbreak of COVID-19 epidemic in early 2020. However, the formation and development of greater national health awareness accelerated with the promotion from the Chinese government and authoritative organizations. Consumption of dairy products, in particular liquid milk, increased as consumers began to realize the importance of consuming high-quality milk protein to supplement nutrition and enhance immunity.Industry revenue is projected to grow at an annualized 5.5% over the five years through 2028, to $113.2 billion. Middle- and high-end market segments will account for an increasing share of total revenue, while the share of low-end product segments will decrease slightly. However, the low-end market will continue growing in terms of volume, particularly in less developed parts of China, where per capita incomes are lower.