+5 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 04061030 were up 5% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€116.9 million), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat987.2 EUR million
EU exports of CN 04061030 to countries outside the EU were worth €987.2 million in 2025.
Eurostat2.99 EUR billion
Trade between EU member states in CN 04061030 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €2.99 billion in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +5% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
- Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.
- US employment in the core industry shifted +12% since 2020.
What this market covers
Dairy product made by curdling milk and pressing or ageing the curd. It is sold fresh, aged, grated and processed to households, restaurants and food makers.
Typical segments
- Natural hard and semi hard
- Fresh and soft cheese
- Processed cheese
- Grated and shredded
Who buys
- Grocery retailers
- Foodservice operators
- Food manufacturers
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 98.9 EUR million |
| Switzerland | 23.3 EUR million |
| Countries and territories not specified within the framework of intra-Union trade | 0.5 EUR million |
| New Zealand | 0.4 EUR million |
| Türkiye | 0.2 EUR million |
| Mongolia | 0.1 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €123.0 million of products under CN code 04061030 (Fresh Mozzarella, whether or not in a liquid, of a fat content, by weight, of <= 40%) from outside the EU in 2025. | 123.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 04061030 were up 5% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€116.9 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +5 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 04061030 to countries outside the EU were worth €987.2 million in 2025. | 987.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 04061030 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €2.99 billion in 2025. | 2.99 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 04061030 to the EU in 2025, with €98.9 million, or 80% of extra-EU imports. | 98.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 04061030 to the United States were €7.6 million in 2025. | 7.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 04061030 was €4.27 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 4.27 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Denmark was the largest EU exporter of CN 04061030 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €308.0 million. | 308.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 9,094 enterprises in NACE class C1051 (Operation of dairies and cheese making) in 2023. | 9,094 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C1051 employed 380,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 380,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 727 private establishments in NAICS 311513 (Cheese manufacturing) in 2025. | 727 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 311513 employed an average of 62,493 people in US private industry in 2025. | 62,493 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 311513 changed by +12% between 2020 (55,968 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +12 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 311513 was $74,050 in 2025. | 74,050 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
What the full report covers
- 1
Executive summary
The answer on two pages: size, growth and what drives it.
- 2
Market size and outlook
History, the current year and a five-year view with base, low and high cases.
- 3
Segments and regions
Splits by product, buyer and geography across the US, Europe and MEA.
- 4
Company profiles
The main players, how they compete and where they are investing.
- 5
Data and method
Every figure in Excel, with the sources and assumptions behind it.
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the European Union market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
Included with the full report
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- Excel data pack
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU cheese market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €123.0 million of goods under CN 04061030 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €987.2 million.
Where does the EU import cheese from?
United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were Switzerland, Countries and territories not specified within the framework of intra-Union trade, New Zealand.
What is the average import price of cheese in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €4.27 per kilogram for CN 04061030 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most cheese?
Denmark led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Italy, Germany.
How many US companies are in the cheese industry?
BLS counts 727 private establishments in NAICS 311513 (Cheese manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the cheese industry?
Eurostat counts 9,094 enterprises in NACE class C1051 (Operation of dairies and cheese making).
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 04061030, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 123013009
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 04061030, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 116923335; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 123013009
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 04061030, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 987160124
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 04061030, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2989031326
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 04061030, partner GB, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 98942008
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 04061030, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 7631753
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 04061030, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 123013009, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 288403
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter DK, product 04061030, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 307954119
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1051, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 9094
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1051, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 380000
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 311513, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311513, annual_avg_estabs 727
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 311513, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311513, annual_avg_emplvl 62493
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 311513, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 55968; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 62493
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 311513, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311513, avg_annual_pay 74050
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