The Germany Cheese Market Report 2022 identifies consumers’ attitudes towards cheese consumption, sustainability in the cheese segment in Germany, and the impact of inflation on the cheese industry in Germany. This report covers the cheese segment in Germany market size, market forecast, market segmentation and industry trends for the Cheese Market in Germany.
The vast majority of Germans eat cheese on a weekly basis, and increased working/studying from home boosted retail cheese sales even further in 2020-21. With Germans spending more time out-of-home post-COVID in 2022 and planning to lose weight, gained during the pandemic, volume sales could drop.
Inflation in general and high energy/fertiliser costs drove up conventional milk prices in 2022, impacting cheese prices. It is likely price-sensitive users will trade down to cheaper cheese types, private label options and/or curb usage.
Revenue in the cheese segment Germany is impacted by high inflation in the dairy sector, which will go on to affect consumers through private labels/brands. This is likely to result in value growth for cheese.
Nevertheless, increased cheese moderation by 16 to 34-year-olds for health or sustainability reasons as well as growing competition from cheese alternatives could dampen long-term retail volume sales growth.
An ageing population could offset a stark volume decline, with over-65-year-olds being core cheese users. Yet, the EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy and Germany’s 2030 organic agriculture expansion plans could reduce conventional raw milk output, putting price pressure on cheeses, whilst boosting plant alternatives/organic options. This diversification in cheese alternatives may regain interest with 16 to 34-year-olds who have cut down on cheese.
Since price trumps quality for many cheese users, less expensive ‘core’ cheeses can be positioned as the smarter alternative to pricier cheeses, e.g. Cheddar instead of Parmesan. Higher volume packs, and a longer shelf-life for less food waste also appeal to consumers as our cheese in Germany market research has shown.
Read on to discover more details or take a look at all of our German Cheese Market Research.
Products: Hard, extra hard, semi-hard, soft, spreadable/processed cheese.
Brands: Kerrygold, Sach, Emmi, Knorr, Savancia, Hochland, Groupe Lactalis, Groupe Bel, Bergader Privatkäserei, Arla Foods, Käserei Champignon Hofmeister, DMK Deutsches Milchkontor, Mondelēz International, Karwendel-Werke Huber, and more.
This report, written by Valentin Thies, a leading analyst in the Food and Drink sector, delivers in-depth commentary and analysis to highlight current trends in the Cheese Market in Germany, and adds expert context to the numbers.
Position cheeses as the savvy choice for squeezed incomes; target a shrinking user cohort of 16-34s with eco-friendly options and relevant occasions, e.g. snacking.
Valentin Thies
Senior Food & Drink Research Analyst, Germany
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