Patrick Oconnell
Cheese is made all over the world, with different regions favouring different types. Europe is the largest producer of cheese, with France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Wisconsin in the United States leading the way. However, the United States as a whole is catching up to Europe, with Australia, Argentina and Brazil also joining the cheese-making ranks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Top international cheese-producers | United States, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands |
| Top cheese-producing states in the US | Wisconsin |
| Countries with the most cheese varieties | UK, France, Switzerland |
| Countries with the highest trade value per capita | Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland |
| Countries with the most consistent cheese consumption | Sweden, Denmark, Finland |
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What You'll Learn
- The UK produces over 700 types of cheese, topping the French by around 100 varieties
- The US is the largest producer of cheese from whole cow milk, accounting for 28% of the world's total
- Switzerland is the third-highest importer of cheese in the world, but it has relatively low in-house production
- In the Mediterranean and Middle East, cheese was made by heavily salting the curds, which is why feta is the most famous cheese from Greece
- In the cooler parts of Europe, a variety of fresher cheeses (like Gouda or Havarti) could be enjoyed
The UK produces over 700 types of cheese, topping the French by around 100 varieties
The UK's cheese industry was in a poor state after World War Two, when rationing forced cheesemakers to produce a single type of cheese called Government Cheddar. However, the UK's cheese industry has seen a huge resurgence in local small-scale production in the last 20 years.
France is well-known for its cheese production, with over 1,200 varieties. In 2023, the country produced approximately 1.9 million tons of cheese, with a significant portion exported to Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United States. However, there is a rising trend towards organic and locally produced cheeses, reflecting a shift towards sustainable and ethical consumption.
The United States is the world's largest producer of cheese, accounting for 28% of the world's cheese production in 2021.
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The US is the largest producer of cheese from whole cow milk, accounting for 28% of the world's total
In 2021, the United States was the largest producer of cheese from whole cow milk, accounting for 28% of the world's total. This is perhaps unsurprising, given that cheese is one of the most shoplifted items from supermarkets worldwide. The US is followed by Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands as secondary producers.
The UK produces over 700 types of cheese, topping the French by around 100 varieties. Cheddar is insanely popular worldwide. Stilton is another example of a popular cheese, with Colston Basset being a sensational example of this variety.
Switzerland is prolific in importing cheese, ranking third highest in the world for trade value per capita. However, with 32 varieties of cheese coming from Switzerland, they are relatively low in terms of in-house production. Swiss consumers seem to prefer to import more exotic cheeses from other nations.
When it comes to the most cheese-loving nations, Sweden secures 8th position, followed closely by Denmark and then Finland.
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Switzerland is the third-highest importer of cheese in the world, but it has relatively low in-house production
Although Switzerland is the third-highest importer of cheese in the world, it has relatively low in-house production. In fact, it only produces 32 varieties of cheese. This is surprising, considering Swiss cheese is a globally well-known variety. However, it is believed that cheese-making dates back at least 7,000 years in Switzerland, as ancient artefacts have been found that suggest cheese was being made during that time.
Switzerland's love of cheese is evident in its high import rate, but its low production rate may be due to a variety of factors. One reason could be that Swiss consumers prefer to import more exotic cheeses from other nations. Another factor could be the small scale of local cheese production, which has seen a resurgence in recent years. Local small-scale producers focus on creating cheese with the finest ingredients, care, and love, which may contribute to lower production numbers.
Additionally, the climate in Switzerland may play a role in its low cheese production. In the Mediterranean and Middle East, where preservation was a challenge due to the hotter climate, cheese was made by heavily salting the curds, resulting in cheeses like feta. In contrast, the cooler parts of Europe, including the Alps, had access to caves and ice for refrigeration, allowing for a variety of fresher cheeses. Switzerland's climate may be more suited to the production of fresher cheeses, which could impact its overall cheese production numbers.
Furthermore, the history of cheese-making in Switzerland may also be a factor. While there is evidence of ancient cheese-making, the mass production of rennet and pure microbial cultures in the late 19th and early 20th centuries revolutionised the industry. By World War II, factory-made cheese overtook traditional cheesemaking, and factories have been the primary source of cheese production in Europe and America ever since. Switzerland may have embraced these advancements, leading to a shift from traditional to industrial cheese production, which could impact overall production numbers.
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In the Mediterranean and Middle East, cheese was made by heavily salting the curds, which is why feta is the most famous cheese from Greece
In the Mediterranean and Middle East, cheese was made by heavily salting the curds. This was done to preserve the cheese in the hotter climate. This is why feta is the most famous cheese from Greece. In fact, the exact origins of cheese are unknown, as it is believed to have been discovered accidentally. However, there is evidence that cheese-making dates back at least 7,000 years, as ancient artefacts have been found in countries such as Poland, Hungary, and Switzerland that suggest cheese was being made during that time. One legend places the origin of cheese in the Middle East. Supposedly an Arab merchant made it by accident when he prepared for a journey across the desert by putting a supply of milk in a pouch made from a sheep's stomach.
In the cooler parts of Europe (the Alps and north), where caves and ice provided refrigeration, a variety of fresher cheeses (like Gouda or Havarti) could be enjoyed. Naturally, when European immigrants came to America they brought their native preferences with them. In 2021, world production of cheese from whole cow's milk was 22.2 million tonnes, with the United States accounting for 28% of the total, followed by Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands as secondary producers.
The UK produces over 700 types of cheese, topping the French by around 100 varieties. Cheddar is insanely popular worldwide. However, in recent years there has been a huge resurgence in local small-scale production. These products are made with the finest ingredients, care and, most of all, love.
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In the cooler parts of Europe, a variety of fresher cheeses (like Gouda or Havarti) could be enjoyed
In the cooler parts of Europe, such as the Alps and the north, a variety of fresher cheeses could be enjoyed. This is because caves and ice provided refrigeration, allowing for the creation of cheeses like Gouda and Havarti. In fact, evidence suggests that cheese-making dates back at least 7,000 years, with ancient artifacts found in Poland, Hungary, and Switzerland.
The UK produces over 700 types of cheese, topping the French by around 100 varieties. Cheddar is a worldwide favourite, and while Stilton is a prime example of a poor version putting people off, Colston Basset is considered sensational. In the last 20 years, there has been a huge resurgence in local small-scale production, with fine ingredients, care, and love.
The United States is the top producer of cheese, accounting for 28% of the world's production of cheese from whole cow milk in 2021. Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands are secondary producers. Interestingly, Switzerland is a prolific importer of cheese, ranking third highest in the world for trade value per capita, despite having 32 varieties of its own.
Factory-made cheese overtook traditional cheesemaking during World War II, and factories have been the source of most cheese in America and Europe since.
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Frequently asked questions
Europe makes the most cheese, with France, Italy, Switzerland and Germany leading the way.
The United States makes the most cheese outside of Europe, with Wisconsin being the leading state for cheese production.
France makes the most cheese in Europe, with 4.27 billion pounds of cheese produced.
Cyprus has seen an increase of 41% in cheese production from 2016 to 2021.
