UK Cheese Market Report 2026

UK Cheese Industry – Trends and Insights

• Cheese value sales strengthened in 2025. The price rises fuelling this saw volume gains soften as households continued to scrutinise budgets.
• Cheese continues to benefit from its status as a versatile staple, while the strong performance of snack brands exemplifies how added value products remain resilient where their benefits are clear.
• Lower usage of cheddar among under-45s poses a threat to this dominant segment’s long-term outlook. It reflects their adventurous eating habits more broadly and highlights the need for formats and flavours that cater to their love of novelty and their key ways of using cheese, such as in hot meals.
• Cheese has a permission to challenge stalwart snacks on the key aspect of exciting flavour, 52% of adults and 69% of under-35s drawn to such cheese variants. This points to an untapped opportunity, given the dearth of such products currently.

This Report Looks at the Following Areas:

• Performance of the cheese market amid the income squeeze and up to 2030
• The competitive landscape, including 2024/25 star performers
• Key trends in launch activity and future product development opportunities
• Usage of different types of cheese products
• Factors most important to buyers when choosing cheese to consume as an ingredient, and as a snack
• Factors that encourage consumers to try new cheeses, and the appeal of flavoured cheese

Consumer Research Methodology

Mintel commissioned consumer research for this Report to assess the usage of cheese and related behaviours and attitudes. Research was carried out by Kantar Profiles among 2,000 internet users aged 16+ in September 2025.

Consumer Research Questions

• How often do you typically eat/use cheese?
• Which of these types of cheese have you bought in the last three months? t all that apply
• In which of the following ways have you eaten/used cheese in the last three months?
• Which of the following attributes do you look for when choosing cheese to eat/use… …as an ingredient (eg in a meal, in baking)? …with crackers / as a snack on its own for yourself?
• Do the following statements apply to you? Promotions (eg discounts, bundles) make me more likely to try a new type of cheese / I am more likely to try a new cheese sold alongside suggested accompaniments (eg crackers, chutney) / A recommendation from a friend encouraged me to purchase a cheese I haven’t tried before / Lack of money stops me buying sustainable cheese as much as I’d like to / I have tried cheese with spice flavours (eg jalapeño, chipotle) in the last three months / The salt content leads me to limit the amount of cheese I eat
• Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Cheese is a good source of protein / A good selection of cheeses from independent producers would make a supermarket appealing / Cheese with exciting flavours (eg sweet chilli, chorizo) would be appealing as an occasional snack / Flavoured cheese tailored to enhance specific international cuisine dishes (eg jalapeño cheese for Mexican dishes) would be appealing / Flavoured cheese is unappealing as an everyday choice / Increasing the protein content in cheese negatively affects its taste