Cheese Prices – Historical Graph
- The average price in the past 3 days is
- The average price in the past 7 days is
- The average price in the past 30 days is
- The average price in the past 365 days is
Popular questions about cheese prices:
Cheese Prices Explained
Cheese prices showed positive notes in the market as they increased to 2.70%. Generally, cheese value tends to correlate with other food prices. The growing demand from food service industries, shifting consumer preference for protein-rich diets, and the expanding range of cheese varieties push cheese prices upward.
Additionally, the decreasing number of cows from major milk-producing countries contributes to its tightening supply.
Why are cheese prices fluctuating?
1. Milk Prices
Cheese and milk prices always go hand in hand. If milk prices increase, so does the value of cheese. Similarly, if the value of milk decreases, its cost will follow as well. However, with the advent of new nutritional diets, cheese prices are also affected by plant-based milk such as soy milk, oat milk, and almond milk.
2. Supply and Demand
A perishable product produced in limited quantity, the balance between the demand and supply of cheese is not always equal. Thus, if there’s high demand and a low supply, its price spikes in the market. And if there’s plenty of supply but low demand, its cost will decrease.
3. Production Cost
To ensure a healthy cow pregnancy and abundant milk production, herders provide alfalfa hay to their cattle. However, alfalfa hay tends to be more expensive than other grass varieties. Thus, an increase in alfalfa hay prices and other production inputs like transportation, labor, and energy will likely influence cheese prices.
4. Seasonal Variations
Early spring and late autumn are the seasons of ample cheese production. It means that its prices are affordable in the market. However, as winter approaches cows produce less milk which results in low production. Therefore, cheese prices are high during the holiday season.
5. Consumer Preferences
The rise of plant-based cheese alternatives like cashews, almonds, tofu, and healthy diet fads is slightly shaping the demand, supply, and price of cheese in the market.
Which variables impact the price of cheese?
- Milk Prices
- Supply and Demand
- Production Cost
- Seasonal Variations
- Consumer Preferences
- Trade Policies
Where does cheese come from?
There is no specific place and time attributed to cheese products’ origin. However, Egyptian scholars believed that cheesemaking accidentally started in Egypt according to their murals and artifacts.
Under Julius Caesar’s Roman empire, dairy products flourished across Europe and the Middle East. Furthermore, it expanded in America through European migrants and in the early 17th century, English Puritan farmers began dairy farming and production.
Cheese processing includes two methods. These are:
The classic method relies on simple ingredients and time-honored techniques. The milk undergoes a series of steps:
1. Culturing – Lactic acid bacteria are added to the milk which causes it to ferment and thicken.
2. Curdling – Rennet ( an enzyme ) is mixed, causing the milk proteins to coagulate and separate from the liquid whey.
3. Cutting and Draining – The curds are cut into small pieces, allowing the whey to drain and concentrate the cheese solids.
4. Salting – Salt is added to enhance flavor, slow bacterial growth, and promote dehydration.
5. Pressing – The curds are compressed to expel more whey and achieve the desired moisture and texture.
6. Ripening – Then, the cheese is aged under controlled conditions to create characteristic textures and flavors of its different varieties.
Overall, this process takes from a few weeks to several years, depending on the desired outcome.
This modern technique includes blending and heating natural cheeses with additional ingredients.
1. Shredding – Various natural cheeses are grated or shredded.
2. Melting – The cheese mixture is heated with sodium citrate which keeps the fat and water evenly distributed.
3. Adding Ingredients – Salt, spices, coloring, and other additives are added depending on the desired flavors and characteristics.
4. Molding and Cooling – The molten cheese is poured into molds. Then, it is shaped, cooled, and solidified.
The final product has a smoother texture and longer shelf-life. However, it is not as rich in concentration as natural cheese, making it convenient and affordable for consumers.
Today, this dairy product which incorporates our daily meals comes majorly from Europe with Denmark as the top producer accounting for 455 thousand metric tons of cheese produced yearly. New Zealand, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Cyprus follow closely.
What is the future price of cheese?
The global cheese consumption is projected to rise steadily, with Asia (particularly China) fueling its market. Additionally, new product developments such as convenient cheese formats like snacks and spreads will contribute to its price fluctuation.
On the other side, experts predict a slow milk growth output due to the rising heat, water scarcity, and increasing feed costs. Additionally, a growing focus on animal welfare might push dairy farms towards smaller and less productive operations.
Thus, these factors will tighten the global cheese supply, putting pressure on its prices. Overall, the dairy industry analysts expected a modest cheese price in 2030 at $2.65 per pound.