Vegan Cheese Market size was over USD 3.46 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 15.81 billion by the end of 2037, growing at around 12.4% CAGR during the forecast period i.e., between 2025-2037. In the year 2025, the industry size of vegan cheese is evaluated at USD 3.8 billion. Food allergies are one of the most common causes of anaphylaxis, an allergic reaction that can be fatal. Additionally, lactose intolerance is defined by the National Institutes of Health as a decreased ability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products. The market for plant-based dairy products, such as cheese, is being driven by the rising incidence of lactose intolerance and diary allergy. For instance, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 68% of people worldwide are lactose intolerant, and some people may have a milk allergy.
Increasing market capital and investments in the market are expected to provide potential growth opportunities for the global vegan cheese market in the coming years. In November 2023, Italian food tech company Dreamfarm, a startup focused on plant-based cheese alternatives, announced a total investment of USD 5 million. This investment was previously used to launch an innovative production facility in Sala Baganza with detailed equipment to improve rare and patented production processes.
Growth Drivers
Challenges
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Base Year |
2024 |
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Forecast Year |
2025-2037 |
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CAGR |
12.4% |
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Base Year Market Size (2024) |
USD 3.46 billion |
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Forecast Year Market Size (2037) |
USD 15.81 billion |
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Regional Scope |
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Type (Mozzarella, Cheddar, Gouda)
In terms of type, the mozzarella segment is anticipated to dominate the vegan cheese market with 34% share by the end of 2037. Plant-based mozzarella cheese is often used in applications such as pizza and some pasta dishes, but it can also be found in salads, nachos, and more. The main ingredients used to make vegan mozzarella cheese are also a great alternative for consumers with allergies or lactose intolerance. Moreover, most of the big pizza restaurants like Domino's use pure vegan mozzarella cheese. The use of cashews in the production of mozzarella cheese gives it an incredibly creamy texture. Being cholesterol-free, meatless mozzarella cheese is more widely used by those who have high cholesterol. Due to its dairy-free nature, vegan mozzarella cheese blocks are more likely to be tolerated and absorbed more easily by people with digestive issues. The use of plant-based mozzarella cheese in the food sector is expanding as more and more people are choosing to maintain healthy lifestyles by reducing the fat and calorie content of various food products, such as pizzas, which have approximately 280 calories. This trend reduces the amount of calories in food products.
End Use (Household, Commercial)
In terms of end use, the household segment share in the is estimated to cross 59% by the end of forecast period. In the case of households, as a result of an increasing level of discretionary income and higher levels of interest in spending on quality food products, demand for plant-based cheese has risen. While the trend in household consumption is also indicative of increasing awareness about different health concerns associated with dairy cheese and milk products, this has led to an increased demand for plant-based substitutes.
Our in-depth analysis of the global market includes the following segments:
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Type |
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Form |
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Protein Source |
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End Use |
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Flavor |
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Sales Channel |
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European Market Forecasts
The vegan cheese market in the Europe region is poised to hold 37% revenue share by 2037. According to a report from the EU-funded SMART PROTEIN project, the Netherlands has taken the lead in selling plant-based cheese. The project examined retail data from 11 European countries to pinpoint how much plant-based consumption increased in the region from 2018 to 2020. The growth rate is 400%. Additionally, in Europe, sales of dairy alternatives increased by 49% between 2020 and 2022, according to the Good Food Institute. This is due to an increase in new product introductions to the European market. Such as, in January 2023, his startup Väcka developed a plant-based cheese using an unlikely ingredient: fermented melon seed milk. Additionally, Amsterdam-based cheese company Willicroft acquired plant-based cheese in May 2022 and sold it to British dairy farms. They bring plant-based, eco-friendly cheese to the European masses.
APEJ Market Statistics
The Asia Pacific vegan cheese market is set to grow substantially through 2037. Regional market growth is driven by the presence of a high number of lactose intolerant people, as well as an increasing interest in alternative plant milk products. For instance, since 2020, plant based milk and alternative dairy products have experienced significant growth, with a nearly 60% increase in plant based milk and alternative dairy products, according to a comprehensive industry report on the increasing popularity of plant based diets and products in Australia by the Grains and Legumes Nutrition Council.
Author Credits: Parul Atri
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