Italy's medium soft cheese production has shown significant fluctuation over the last decade. From 2014 to 2017, the industry experienced variability, with a notable spike in 2017. Post-2017, the trend settled into a steady increase, culminating in a production standing at 34.8 thousand metric tons in 2023. Year-on-year growth varied considerably; for instance, there was a substantial 50.72% increase in 2017, followed by a significant 21.03% growth in 2020. However, 2022 saw a slight 1.53% decline, only to recover by 1.78% in 2023. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the last five years was 5.04%.
Looking forward, forecasted growth remains positive but at a moderated pace, with a 5-year forecasted CAGR of 1.07% from 2024 to 2028. This indicates a more stable and controlled increase in production, following a predicted gradual rise to 37.32 thousand metric tons by 2028.
Future trends to watch for include:
- Potential impacts of global economic conditions on production costs and export opportunities.
- Advancements in cheese production technologies and their adoption rates among Italian producers.
- Shifts in consumer preferences toward different types of cheese impacting medium soft cheese demand.
- Regulatory changes within the EU affecting agricultural and dairy sectors.
