In this piece, we will take a look at the 12 countries that produce the best cheese in the world. For more countries, head on over to 5 Countries That Produce the Best Cheese in the World.

Cheese is among the most popular, nutritious, and old foods available to mankind. While not a staple diet, it is still heavily consumed due to its high protein, mineral, calcium, and fat content. No one really knows when humanity started to make cheese, and the earliest recorded instance of the food is as old as 8,000 BC.

A research report from Fortune Business Insights states that the cheese industry was worth $120 billion in 2020, and from then until 2028 it will grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.84% to sit at an estimated worth of $161 billion by the end of the forecast period. The firm divides the cheese industry into five primary categories. These are Cheddar, Parmesan, Mozzarella, Feta, and Others. Out of these, it believes that cheddar (which is made from bacteria that only produce lactic acid) will be the strongest growing variant due to its wide use by the food services sector. Alongside cheddar, the growth of Italian food in regions such as the United States will also boost the fortunes of Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, believes Fortune Business Insights. The research firm adds that Europe was the largest cheese market with a size of $51 billion, and North America will be the fastest growing region due to a shift towards sustainable foods. As cheese consumption rises worldwide, companies like Kraft Heinz Co (NASDAQ:KHC), Kroger Co (NYSE:KR) and Conagra Brands Inc (NYSE CAG) that produce or sell cheese at their stores are expected to profit from this segment of the food market.

Our Methodology

We consulted data from the International Trade Center (ITC) to list the largest cheese exporters in the world since worldwide demand for their unique products is a relevant indicator of quality. Better products often do end up selling well after all. Export values of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule Code 0406 ‘Cheese and Curd’ are used.

12 Countries That Produce the Best Cheese in the World

12. Republic of Austria

Cheese Exports as of 2021: $810 million

The Republic of Austria is a Central European country that traces its roots back to over a thousand years. It has one of the highest GDP per capita in the world, as its $582 billion economy places the metric at $64,750. The Austrian economy relies on exporting machinery, vehicles, chemicals, and agricultural products. The country produces several agricultural products such as maize, barley, wheat, and potatoes. It exported $810 million worth of cheese last year, and some popular Austrian cheese brands are Luneberg, Ennstaler Steirerkas, Gailtaler Almkase, and Mondseer. Austrians are believed to have produced as many as 400 types of cheese.

11. Republic of Poland

Cheese Exports as of 2021: $1 billion

The Republic of Poland is a Central European country with an economy that is worth $1.5 trillion and a GDP per capita of $42,466. Poland is also one of the most historic countries in the world, with the first human settlers believed to have visited the region as far back as 10,000 BC. It is also home to the highest number of the 500 biggest companies in Central Europe. Poland has one of the strongest banking sectors in Europe, with its banks being the only ones that managed to avoid the Great Recession of 2008. Poland exported $1 billion worth of cheese in 2021, and some famous types include KROLEWSKI, Kozio-lek, and Sery Lomnickie. As of 2019, there were a staggering 600 different kinds of Polish cheeses.

10. Republic of Belarus

Cheese Exports as of 2021: $1.19 billion

The Republic of Belarus is a landlocked Eastern European country that gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1990. Belarus maintains close ties to Russia, and it is also one of the poorest countries in Europe since its GDP is $185 billion with a per capita income of $19,758. The country is also regularly criticized for human rights violations and low levels of press freedom. The Belarusian economy relies on Russia for the bulk of its exports, and it sells agricultural products, petroleum fuels, and others. Additionally, the country is also known for its rather unique law that requires those without a job to pay a fee to the government or risk fines and arrests. The Republic of Belarus exported $1.19 billion of cheese last year. It is also one of the world’s largest cheese producers by capita, and some popular types of cheese include the Belovezhskaya Syry, fresh white cheese (тварог), and fresh white cheese (сыр).

9. Ireland

Cheese Exports as of 2021: $1.23 billion

Ireland is a European island nation, a portion of which (Northern Ireland) is part of a union with the United Kingdom called the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. While Northern Ireland is part of the U.K., the Republic of Ireland has a GDP of $516 billion and a whopping GDP per capita of $124,596 – one of the highest in the world. However, the Irish GDP is also thought to be skewed due to tax laws that often encourage multinational firms to set up their headquarters in the country to save taxes. In fact, the Republic of Ireland’s tax laws have directly been targeted by legislation in the United States, the European Union, and Brazil – which has blacklisted the country. The Republic of Ireland exported $1.2 billion worth of cheese last year, and some of its cheeses include the Cáis na Tíre, Coolea, and Knockanore (hill of gold) Smoked.

Irish cheese is quite famous in the US, where consumers buy cheese from companies Kraft Heinz Co (NASDAQ:KHC), Kroger Co (NYSE:KR) and Conagra Brands Inc (NYSE:CAG).

8. Kingdom of Belgium

Cheese Exports as of 2021: $1.27 billion

The Kingdom of Belgium is a Northern European country that has a GDP of $723 billion and a GDP per capita of $62,065. The country was one of the first to experience the industrial revolution of the 1900s, and it exports cars, diamonds, vaccines, hormones, cleaning products, trucks, and tractors. Belgium’s food exports include juice, beer, chocolate, and animal food. The country had exported $1.27 billion worth of cheese last year, and some well known Belgian cheeses are the Keiems Bloempje, Fromage de Maredsous, Vieux Chimay, and Fromage de Herve.

7. New Zealand

Cheese Exports as of 2021: $1.48 billion

New Zealand is an island country that is located in the Pacific Ocean. It gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1947 in the form of the Statute of Westminster. New Zealand has a small GDP worth $261 billion but a high GDP per capita of $50,851. The country relies heavily on agriculture for its exports, and it has also successfully utilized hydroelectric power stations to generate a large chunk of its electricity needs. Australia and China are New Zealand’s largest trading partners, and the country heavily imports machinery. New Zealand’s response to the coronavirus pandemic was also one of the best in the world, as its population complied with lockdown regulations, and the economy rebounded sharply once the restrictions were lifted. New Zealand exported $1.48 billion of cheese last year, and some of its cheeses are Whitestone Farmhouse, Mahoe Aged Gouda, and Meyer Vintage Gouda.

As global cheese demand rises, companies like Kraft Heinz Co (NASDAQ:KHC), Kroger Co (NYSE:KR) and Conagra Brands Inc (NYSE:CAG) that produce or sell cheese at their stores are expected to profit from this segment of the industry.

6. Denmark

Cheese Exports as of 2021: $1.76 billion

Denmark is a Northern European country that is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Denmark’s economy is worth $398 billion but its GDP per capita of $69,273 is the tenth highest in the world. The country’s agricultural exports include pig meat, pigs, different kinds of fish, whey, milk, and cheese. Additionally, it also exports engines, petroleum, iron products, computers, and transformers. As 2021 ended, Denmark had exported $1.76 billion of cheese that weighed a whopping 401,487 tons. Some of the most well-known types include Danbo (often called Denmark’s national cheese), Danish Rygeost, Danish Blue or Danablu, Blue Cornflower, and Vesterhavsost or North Sea cheese which is ripened in the salty sea air.

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Disclosure: None. 12 Countries That Produce the Best Cheese in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey