Blue Cheese Market Report 2026

The blue cheese market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.6 billion in 2025 to $1.69 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of specialty cheese consumption, rising disposable incomes, growth of western dining habits, increased use in culinary applications, development of cold-chain logistics.

The blue cheese market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.05 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for premium dairy products, expansion of online specialty food retail, rising experimentation in home cooking, increasing global exposure to european cheeses, growth of cheese-based ready meals. Major trends in the forecast period include growing demand for artisanal and premium blue cheese, rising popularity of specialty cheese varieties, expansion of gourmet cheese applications, increasing focus on controlled aging techniques, enhanced emphasis on authentic origin labeling.

The rising consumption of convenience foods is expected to drive the growth of the blue cheese market in the coming years. Convenience foods include frozen, dried, or canned products that can be prepared quickly and easily with minimal effort. The expansion of the convenience food sector is significantly supporting the blue cheese market as consumers increasingly seek flavorful, premium, and easy-to-prepare meal options. Blue cheese is being incorporated more frequently into ready meals, snacks, and gourmet food products to enhance taste and appeal. For example, in July 2024, the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI), a US-based national trade association, reported that frozen fruit unit sales increased by 8.8% during the first half of 2023. Consequently, the growing demand for convenience foods is fueling the expansion of the blue cheese market.

Leading companies operating in the blue cheese market are focusing on the development of plant-based blue cheese alternatives to meet rising consumer demand for dairy-free and vegan options among individuals seeking healthier and more environmentally sustainable food choices. Plant-based cheese refers to non-dairy alternatives made entirely from plant-derived ingredients, designed to replicate the taste, texture, and melting characteristics of traditional dairy cheese while catering to vegan, lactose-intolerant, and plant-based consumers. For instance, in March 2023, Climax Foods, a US-based food technology company, introduced Climax Blue, a plant-based blue cheese alternative. Climax Blue delivers a rich, tangy flavor and creamy texture similar to conventional blue cheese and is developed using proprietary fermentation technology. The product is targeted at both foodservice and retail markets, reflecting the growing trend toward sustainable and dietary-specific cheese alternatives supported by technological innovation.

In April 2023, BEL S.A., a France-based global cheese and dairy company, entered into a partnership with Climax Foods Inc. to develop next-generation plant-based cheeses using artificial intelligence. Through this collaboration, BEL and Climax Foods aim to produce plant-based cheese products that closely mirror the taste, texture, and overall sensory experience of traditional dairy cheeses by leveraging AI-driven formulation and processing techniques. Climax Foods Inc. is a US-based company specializing in plant-based food innovation supported by artificial intelligence.

Major companies operating in the blue cheese market are The Kroger Co., Groupe Lactalis S.A., Kraft Heinz Company, Arla Foods Group, Fonterra Co-operative Group, Saputo Inc., Savencia SA, Emmi Group, Bel Group, Sargento Foods Inc., Organic Valley, Roth Cheese, Carr Valley Cheese, Maytag Dairy Farms, Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company, Castello, Rogue Creamery, La Fromagerie Papillon, Roquefort Societe, Great Hill Dairy Inc., Vermont Shepherd LLC.

North America was the largest region in the blue cheese market in 2025, and is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the blue cheese market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the blue cheese market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The blue cheese market consists of sales of blue cheese crumbles, cheese sauces, blue cheese burgers, blue cheese snacks, and blue cheese condiments. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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