The global feta cheese market size was valued at $10.5 billion in 2019, and is anticipated to reach $15.6 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period. The market is expected to exhibit an incremental revenue opportunity of $5.0 billion from 2019 to 2028.
Feta cheese is a Greece origin cheese made from either sheep milk or a combination of sheep and goat milk. Traditional feta cheese consists of sheep milk and goat milk in a proposition of 70:30, with specific diet given to the animal. The texture of the cheese is creamy, grainy, and soft with a fat content of 21 g per 100 g. It has a fully flavored salty and tangy taste with nutty, strong aroma to it. The curing time is minimum of three months, and is kept in a briny solution. The texture depends on the aging of the cheese, which can be extremely creamy to crumbly. The texture and flavor slightly vary from region to region, owing to the difference in the diet in farm animals. Feta is used both as a table cheese and as a cooking cheese, and is used in Greek salads, spanakopita, pizza, or pie. It can be eaten raw with olive oil, roasted nuts, and chili pepper.
Feta cheese serves as an ideal dietary source for various nutrition and health-promoting compounds, which help the body function properly. Along with the luscious flavors of cheese, it provides a larger number of nutritional supplements in concentrated form. Protein, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, vitamins A & B12, and sodium are most essential nutrients found in every type of cheese. As the body cannot synthesize them, they are required to be consumed from external sources. Hence, feta cheese acts as a suitable source in which such nutrients are present in concentrated form.
The demand for feta cheese is high in Germany because it is included in almost every diet and loved by everyone, especially the health-conscious people. It is a very healthy food product because it contains calcium, fiber, vitamin, zinc, phosphorous, protein, and carbs. People can consume feta cheese before and after a workout as it contains very few carbohydrates. Health-conscious people prefer variation in food, which can be found by using feta cheese in a variety of products such as brown bread and whole wheat base. It also comprises fatty acids that help in making the body lean and decreases the chances of breast cancer. However, in pregnancy, doctors advise women not to consume the feta cheese because it is formed with unpasteurized milk.
Germany is the prominent exporter of feta cheese, and it exports a large quantity of feta cheese to other countries. American consumers have adopted feta cheese in their diet after becoming aware of the health benefits of feta cheese. However, in India, the feta cheese is mostly available in big star hotels due to less preference of the low fat and salty cheese. In addition, the demand for goat milk is lesser in India because of the high demand for cow or buffalo milk.
Corona virus has spread all over the world and most of the countries are adopting lockdown measures to control the spread of the virus for securing public health. All business and production activities are fully shut down except food and medical sector or other, leading toward economic crisis in the country. Manufacturing and production functions are stopped which has slowed down the business and inactive trade and transportation has fully disrupted the supply chain because of which companies can face big losses in near future.
According to the global feta cheese market analysis, the feta cheese market is segmented into source, type, distribution channel, and region. By source, it is categorized into cow milk, sheep milk, and goat milk. Based on type, it is segmented into Bulgarian feta, German feta, French feta, and others. On the basis of distribution channel, it is segregated into B2B and B2C. Further, B2B is sub-segmented into full-service restaurants, fast food outlets, catering services, and other. B2C is sub-segmented into hypermarket/supermarket, food specialty stores, convenience stores, and others. Region wise, it is analyzed across North America (the U.S., Canada, and Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, the UK, Spain, Italy, Greece, and rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, and rest of Asia-Pacific), and LAMEA (Brazil, Argentina, United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, Turkey, South Africa, and rest of LAMEA).
Based on source, sheep milk segment holds the major share in the feta cheese market. The demand for sheep milk is on rise due to its superior qualities as compared to cow, goat, and buffalo milk. Shift in preference toward the sheep milk for production of high-quality and high yielding cheese significantly drives the feta cheese market growth.
Based on type, German feta cheese leads the feta cheese market and is likely to remain dominant throughout the feta cheese market forecast period. The demand for German feta cheese among consumers is growing rapidly. This is attributed to evolving taste preference of consumers and living healthy lifestyle, which boosts the demand for healthy food products. With increased knowledge and understanding of product benefits, consumers have become more conscious of the food’s flavor they eat. Hence, the German feta cheese is expected to increase with a considerable growth rate.
Depending on distribution channel, B2B distribution channel dominated the market. The B2B distribution channel includes the food services. It serves meals and snacks for immediate consumption on site and take away. It includes full-service restaurants, fast food outlets, caterers, cafeterias, and other places where food is prepared, served, and sold to the general public for a profit. Surge in demand for various fast foods from the leading food chains such as Burger King, KFC, McDonalds, and Dominos is anticipated to boost the demand for cheese through B2B distribution channel.
Europe is likely to hold the major feta cheese market share. Feta cheese is majorly produced in Europe, and exported all over the globe from European countries. Germany and the Netherland are the largest feta cheese market in Europe due to increase in demand from millennial and increase in demand for fresh and ready-to-eat food with changes in lifestyle. Furthermore, rise in awareness about the benefits of cheese, its easy affordability, and increase in applications areas drive the Europe feta cheese market.
The key players operating in the feta cheese market include following companies Arla Foods amba, Lactalis American Group, Inc., Fonterra Co-operative Group, Saputo Inc, The Kraft Heinz Company, Dodoni S.A., Kolios S.A. Mevgal, SADAFCO, and Clover Leaf Cheese Ltd.
German Market The German market is by far the largest market for feta exports. In value terms, the German market absorbed throughout the period of six years 2007-2012, nearly one third of feta exports, while in terms of quantity, the share of the German market between the countries of export is slightly higher – about 36% in 2012.
US Market Feta cheese is one of the most famous cheeses in the U.S. According to data from the National Cheese Institute (Cheese Market Research Project), sales of feta cheeses reached a volume of 14.4 million pounds in 2006 and a value of 122.8 million dollars, in total sales of dairy products of 8,881 million dollars. One of the main reasons that have contributed to the wide distribution of the product in recent years is the fact that feta cheese is one of the key items in the “basket” of the Mediterranean diet that has now become known to all for its beneficial properties for the body. The basic features of the traditional Greek diet, which is one of the healthiest worldwide, have a great impact on American consumers. Feta cheese contains less fat than many other cheeses marketed. Used as an ingredient in increasingly diverse type dishes, salads , snacks , sandwiches and other foods while more and more food packaging encountered on the shelves of supermarkets and chain stores delicatessen, are represented by feta . At high levels of consumption of feta, has also contributed the existence of a major Greek-American community , particularly in the states of New York and New Jersey , which has strong ties to the birthplace and adheres to a large extent, especially Greek Americans first and second generation , traditional habits of Greek and Mediterranean diets . 90 Kiprou Avenue 16451, Athens, Greece. Tel: +30 210 9967247 – Fax: +30 210 9967243
The unique quality of the authentic Greek feta is its assurance for achieving the best results in the future. The upward trend in feta exports of recent years continued in the current year 2013, as the first quarter the change in volume of exports reached 13.95% According to the data announced, Ukraine consumed over 200% more Greek feta in 2012 compared to last year. There is increased demand in the United Arab Emirates (+108%), Ireland (+66%) and Australia (+60%). Total exports of feta in 2011 amounted to 34 thousand tons, which is a 3% increase compared to 2010. Its exports involve 35 countries, both within the EU and outside, such as Asia, Africa , Oceania , and North America. The 59.18 %, ie the bulk of exports went to many countries; specifically in Germany, the United Kingdom and Sweden. Around 40% of the exports of Greek feta cheese is focused on Germany, which remains the main foreign market for local producers. Next is the United Kingdom with a market share of 14%, Italy with 12% and Sweden, Cyprus, Austria, USA, France, Switzerland, Belgium and Canada are considered important markets with prospects for growth. Feta represents between 70% and 76% of exports of dairy products.
Tasty and nutritious, feta is one of the most sought after Greek products. The large cheese manufacturers, representing the most traditional sub-sector of the Greek dairy industry have managed to combine the tradition of authentic feta making with high quality standards. For the production of feta it is used milk by sheep and goat races, bred in the traditional way. The milk collection and its transport to the processing facilities as well as the production method itself are according to the hygiene and security standards of European Unions legislation.
By employing the HACCP system and complying with the ISO production standards, Greek cheese manufacturers ensure high quality products. With an exceptional combination of expert stuff, highly qualitative products, modern technology, state of the art facilities and a customer-oriented attitude, the large cheese manufacturers of Greece gave feta a worldwide recognition conquering the international markets. Feta is exported throughout the world and is present in the most important markets of the planet. The clientele of Greek feta producers includes retail chains (super markets chains and smaller retailers), wholesalers, as well as Food industry. The exports of feta marked a gradual rise during the last years reaching about 30,000 tons per year, while this export increase is expected to continue in the years to come. Greek feta producers cater the growing number of people, who seek for highly quality products, by seizing every opportunity to expand in new markets.
Key benefits for stakeholders
- The report provides quantitative analysis of the current feta cheese market trends, estimations, and dynamics of the market size from 2019 to 2028 to identify the prevailing feta cheese market opportunities.
- Porter’s five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders to make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier–buyer network.
- The feta cheese market demand is rising in the western countries.
- In-depth analysis and the market size & feta cheese market segment assist to determine the market potential.
- The major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the market.
- The market player positioning segment facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players in the feta cheese industry.
How Authentic Feta Cheese Is Made In Greece | Regional Eats
FAQ
Where is most feta cheese made?
Which country eats the most feta?
How much feta cheese is produced in the US?
Where is feta cheese made?
Over time, production expanded to countries including Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States, often partly or wholly of cow’s milk, and they are (or were) sometimes also called feta. In the United States, most cheese sold under the name feta is American and made from cows’ milk.
Is feta cheese healthy for the heart?
Feta cheese as well as other animal milk derivatives, when consumed in moderation, can protect cardiovascular health as they are a source of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals and vitamins.
How much do you know about feta cheese?
Greece produces more than 123,000 tonnes of Feta each year. Pic: Getty Images/bhofack2 Related tagsFetaGreecePDOGi At most European events, you’ll see stands with Greek products such as Feta cheese. It’s a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) product, but just how much do you know about this special and ubiquitous cheese?
Where did feta come from?
The untold truth of feta’s origin is that Aristaeus, son of Apollo, learned his mastery of cheesemaking and shepherding from the Nymphs. He then taught those dwelling in the countryside to shepherd flocks, press olive oil, and then curdle milk with rennet to make cheese.