2025
10
A Year of Innovation in Cheese 2025
2025-12-18T14:00:38+00:00
REP4AEFDD13_250C_4ECC_AFDD_13250C6ECC96
2195
189800
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Report
en_GB
Affordability is impacting cheese consumption, and consumers are seeking natural, clean-label and hormone-free cheese options. Mikolaj Kaczorowski, Innovation Analyst…
Global
Cheese
simple

A Year of Innovation in Cheese 2025

"Affordability is impacting cheese consumption, and consumers are seeking natural, clean-label and hormone-free cheese options."

Mikolaj Kaczorowski, Innovation Analyst

Mikolaj Kaczorowski, Innovation Analyst

Explore the latest innovations in cheese with Mintel’s global innovation report. The report identifies the major launch activities, pivotal consumer attitudes and most important product developments over the past 12 months.

Key innovation trends in the global cheese market are analysed and succinctly presented alongside Mintel’s consumer data and insights. So you can understand changing consumer demands and identify future growth opportunities.

Collapse All
    • What we have seen
    • Our pick of the most innovative launches in this review
    • Other innovative launches
    • Global spotlight: cheese launches by sub-category
    • Graph 1: share of cheese launches by sub-category, 2024-25
    • The Future of Cheese: 2025
  1. EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA (EMEA)

    • Europe: organic and other natural claims are falling in cheese launches
    • Cheese consumers will pay a premium for organic cheese
    • Natural claims are declining in cheese launches across the region
    • Graph 2: cheese launches with select natural claims, 2020-25
    • Cheese brands highlight organic and ethical milk sourcing
    • Europe: affordability is an ongoing concern for consumers
    • Financial concerns prompt consumers to cut down on cheese
    • Private-label cheese innovation is in decline
    • Graph 3: share of cheese launches, by private label, 2020-25
    • Private labels offer consumers vegan, cooking and budget-friendly cheese options
    • UK cheese brands dial up flavour
    • The Middle East & Africa (MEA)
    • Ethical and environmental claims are ripe for innovation in the region
    • Cheese brands are using sustainable packaging materials
  2. ASIA PACIFIC (APAC)

    • Asia: cheese brands strive to address consumer concerns around additives and preservatives
    • Consumers seek cleaner, additive-free cheese
    • No additives/preservatives claims grow in cheese
    • Graph 4: cheese launches, by share of select natural claims, 2020-25
    • Cheese brands highlight simple, preservative-free recipes
    • Asia: flavour innovation drives category interest
    • Consumers are on the lookout for new flavour experiences
    • Flavoured cheese launches are slowly growing in the region
    • Cheese brands in China innovate with unique flavour combinations
    • Australia & New Zealand
    • Plant-based claims see an uptick in cheese launches in Australia & New Zealand
    • Graph 5: cheese launches with select claims, 2020-25
    • Cheese brands offer award-winning and versatile plant-based options
  3. the americas

    • North America: brands are calling out hormone-free claims to reassure consumers
    • Younger consumers lead the charge for hormone-free cheese
    • Hormone-free claims gain traction in cheese launches
    • Graph 6: cheese launches with a hormone-free claim, 2020-25
    • Cheese brands source milk produced without hormones
    • North America: private-label cheese launches lose share to branded offerings
    • Inflation keeps consumers focused on value
    • Private-label cheese is underdeveloped in Canada, and shrinking
    • Graph 7: share of cheese launches, branded vs private label, 2020-25
    • Graph 8: share of cheese launches, branded vs private label, 2020-25
    • Cheese brands and private labels launch plant-based, flavoured and baking cheese
    • Latin America
    • Flavoured cheese has room to grow in Latin America
    • Graph 9: unflavoured/plain cheese launches, 2024-25
    • Cheese brands offer consumers new flavour options

What is 'A Year of Innovation' Report?

To truly understand a market, it’s essential to look at the products that are shaping it. Our ‘A Year of Innovation’ reports provide a detailed review of specific categories, focusing on the most notable product launches from the past 12 months. These reports are designed to give you a clear and comprehensive picture of recent innovation and its impact.

How We Analyse a Year of Innovation

By deconstructing the past year’s activity, we can provide valuable context for your current and future strategies. Here’s how we do it.

A Deep Dive into Product Launches

The core of these reports is a thorough examination of new products. We go beyond simply listing what’s new. Our analysis delves into the “why” behind each product launch, exploring the strategies, ingredients, and marketing claims that are driving innovation. This helps you understand what’s working, what’s not, and where the market is headed.

Powered by the Global New Products Database (GNPD)

Our insights are built on a foundation of robust data from Mintel’s Global New Products Database (GNPD). This powerful tool tracks and catalogues new product launches from around the world. By leveraging the GNPD, we offer a complete exploration of innovative activity within your category, ensuring our analysis is comprehensive, accurate, and relevant.

Uncovering Trends and Consumer Shifts

Our ‘A Year of Innovation’ reports are designed to equip you with actionable insights into how to lead innovation in your category. By studying recent product launches, we can identify shifting consumer habits and preferences. These reports help you connect the dots between what consumers want and how companies are responding. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of emerging trends, allowing you to refine your own product development and marketing strategies with confidence.

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