France remains the largest producer of soft cheese in Europe, although its production decreased slightly by 0.69% in 2023. Greece and Italy, ranking second and third, saw production increases of 3.35% and 2.08%, respectively. Germany's production was relatively stable with a minor increase of 0.49%. Spain and Austria experienced significant growth, with Spain at 7.32% and Austria at 7.23%. Notably, Cyprus recorded a sharp increase of 74.73%, reflecting a rapidly growing market. Smaller producers like Hungary, Ireland, and Bulgaria also saw notable year-on-year increases, while Croatia experienced a significant decline of 28.8%.
Looking ahead, key trends to watch include the continued expansion and modernization of cheese production in Eastern European countries and potential market shifts influenced by evolving consumer preferences towards artisanal and organic soft cheeses. Additionally, sustainability practices and changing regulations in the dairy industry may also impact production dynamics in the coming years.
Top countries in Soft Cheese Production Share by Country (Thousand Metric Tons)
| # | 10 Countries | Percent | Last Year | YoY | 5-years CAGR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 France | 36.56 | 2023 | -1.67% | -0.69% | View data |
| 2 | 2 Greece | 13.28 | 2023 | +0.71% | +3.35% | View data |
| 3 | 3 Italy | 11.05 | 2023 | -0.095% | +2.08% | View data |
| 4 | 4 Germany | 11.03 | 2023 | +0.063% | +0.49% | View data |
| 5 | 5 Denmark | 5.58 | 2023 | -0.75% | +0.2% | View data |
| 6 | 6 Spain | 5.43 | 2023 | +2.7% | +7.32% | View data |
| 7 | 7 Belgium | 5.07 | 2023 | +0.71% | +1.02% | View data |
| 8 | 8 Netherlands | 4.35 | 2022 | -6.28% | View data | |
| 9 | 9 Austria | 2.25 | 2023 | +4.05% | +7.23% | View data |
| 10 | 10 Poland | 2.06 | 2023 | +0.37% | +5.79% | View data |
