Editor’s note: When we learned about the Reports and Data Cheese Ingredients Market research report we were eager to learn more. The report looks at the market for natural cheddar, parmesan and mozzarella and processed cheese, restricted-melt, standard-melt, quick-melt, by ingredient (milk, enzymes, cultures, additives), and at markets by region in a global forecast to 2028. Thanks to Paroma Bhattacharya for sharing highlights.
It seems no matter what happens in the world, the popularity of cheese never wanes.. Although COVID-related restaurant closures reduced cheese sales in the foodservice sector, rising retail sales demonstrated how important cheese is to customers. According to Reports and Data, cheese ingredients market was USD 97.08 B in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 123.24B by 2028. COVID culinary trends have highlighted the versatility of cheese, such as the rise in home cooking, the desire for comfort foods, and the need to keep handy, healthy snacks available for remote workers and their children.
An increasing customer focus on health, naturalness, and sustainability is pushing innovation in the cheese sector. Not only that, but as healthy snacking gains hold, the evolution of cheese consumption in several geographical regions is leading to new modes of consumption. Naturalness, health, convenience, and pleasure are all driving innovation in the cheese sector, while comforting recipes are also generating increased appeal among today’s customers.
For the past two decades, the cheese ingredient market has been growing and continues to grow. Western Europe will continue to be the largest market in terms of consumption, accounting for 36% of total consumption in 2020. However, it’s interesting to note that Western Europe’s global consumer share is shrinking in favor of Asian markets.
Snacking On Healthy Foods Is On The Rise
Cheese is increasingly viewed as a healthy snacking option with natural nutritional benefits, such as high protein and calcium content. Cheese is an indulgent product with room for innovation in terms of taste, format, texture, and flavor. Cheese can compete with other popular protein snacks like nutrition bars and jerky to provide satiety and support fitness and weight management objectives as a healthy protein snack (especially in a single-serve version).
Furthermore, food innovation in ingredients, processing, and sustainability demonstrates that the cheese sector can adjust fast to changing customer demands. This opens up some intriguing possibilities for cheese producers.
Cheese innovation is motivated by the healthy snacking trend, which is fueled by busy lifestyles and urbanization. In smaller formats, cheese makers focus on the nutritional benefits of their goods. In some circumstances cheese is being used as a meat substitute, with innovations such as new grilling cheeses. Some of the ways cheese can help consumers satisfy their dietary goals include adding ayurvedic spices, or gut-friendly cultures. Learn more about cheese and health.
Furthermore, food innovation in ingredients, processing, and sustainability demonstrates that the cheese sector can adjust fast to changing customer demands. This opens up some intriguing possibilities for cheese producers.
Transparency Is Becoming More In Demand
Consumers are searching for naturalness, with more openness about the ingredients, processes, and people. Dairy and dairy component producers are critical to meeting this market demand. Dairy proteins are clean-label components with characteristics that can meet market drivers’ expectations, such as developing nutritious and natural dairy products.
Clean label formulation can be a challenge for some larger industrial producers who strive to produce cheese that balances health and taste. For smaller producers, clean labels are less of an issue because their products already use fewer and simpler ingredients.
Flexitarian Preferences Are On The Rise
The “Plant-Forward” movement is gaining traction, and it’s a trend that cheese ingredient market players can’t ignore.
According to Reports and Data, as the plant-based field continues to diversify and branch out, global markets for hybrid formulations including both animal-based and alternative proteins are opening up, owing to rising consumer demand for additional degree of sophistication. Flexitarians will continue to consume both vegan and dairy goods.. Learn more about vegetarian cheese and vegan cheese.
Without question, the new year promises to be a good one for the cheese industry. Consumer trends in healthy snacking, functional nutrition, home cooking, tasting exploration, and even plant-based eating should not be ignored. Manufacturers who remain on top of today’s cheese trends and create with the ingredients and flavors that customers want will be well positioned for success in the coming year.