Cheese Prices – Historical Graph
Real-time chart of historical daily cheese prices. The prices are down in U.S. dollars per Lbs.
- 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
As you can see cheese prices are fluctuating. But why is that? And is there a way to predict the price of cheese?
Why are cheese prices fluctuating?
Cheese price tends to correlate with other food prices in general. Cheese prices showed a sharp increase in early 2022 along with milk and several factors are behind this.
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, cheese cost will follow as well.
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 of cheese, prices spike in the market. And if there’s plenty of supply but low demand, its price will decrease.
3. Seasonal Variations
Early spring and late autumn are the seasons of ample cheese production. It means that cheese prices are affordable in the market.
However, as winter approaches cows produce less milk which results in low cheese production. Therefore, cheese prices are high during the holiday season.
4. Production Cost
To insure 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 milk and cheese prices.
5. Consumer Preferences
The rise of plant-based cheese alternatives like cashew cheese, almond cheese, tofu cheese, and healthy diet fads is slightly shaping the demand, supply, and price of cheese in the market.
Which variables impact the price of cheese?
- Global Supply and Demand
- Seasonal Changes
- Trade Policies
- Production Costs
- Milk Prices
- Consumer Preferences
Where does cheese come from?
There is no specific place and time attributed to cheese products however, Egyptian scholars believe that cheesemaking accidentally started in Egypt according to their murals and artifacts. However, this claim is subject to further studies.
Under Julius Caesar’s Roman empire, cheesemaking and cheese products flourished across Europe and the Middle East. It expanded in America through European migrants and in the early 17th century, English Puritan farmers began dairy farming and producing cheese.
Today, cheese production majorly comes from the United States, Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands.
When is the cheese season?
Typically, cheese is available throughout the year however, the best cheese season runs from late spring to early autumn. It is when cheese production is ample and prices are reasonable. Some cheese types are notable for specific dates like:
1. Chevre
This goat cheese has a mild flavor and is available in summer and autumn.
2. Alpine Cheese Types
Gruyere, Comte, and Emmental, these cheese types are available in winter thus, earning the name winter cheese.
3. Cheddar
This cheese is available all year round but cheesemakers make a special “summer cheddar cheese” from milk produced during the summer months.