From lavish cheese boards to hot slices of pizza, from fondue to bubbly mac & cheese, cheese is one of the most delicious and versatile foods on earth.
Some countries are simply synonymous with cheese. In France, Italy, Switzerland, and Spain, for example, cheese isn’t just a popular food, it’s a way of life. But believe it or not, none of these countries’ cheese production even comes close to what the world’s top producer turns out. Number one in the cheese world? The United States. In fact, the U.S. produces more than double the amount of cheese of its closest competitor, Germany. (These are America’s favorite cheeses.)
That doesn’t mean that Americans eat more cheese than any other nationality, though: Austria actually produces the most cheese per capita, with a whopping 78 kilograms (about 172 pounds) annually for every resident, as compared to a mere 18.7 kilos (just over 41 pounds) in the U.S. – though in both cases it’s hard to determine how much is actually consumed within the country in question and how much is exported.
In the United States, Wisconsin, not surprisingly, produces the most cheese; clocking in at nearly 3.5 billion pounds annually, that’s more than what’s produced in all of Italy.
To determine the world’s biggest cheese producers, 24/7 Tempo reviewed a ranking of cheese-producing countries published by the international online food magazine Chef’s Pencil. The site compiled their information, which is current as of 2021, from Eurostat, the USDA, Dairy Australia, Index Mundi, Statistics Canada, and Statista.
Click here to see the countries producing the most cheese
Some cheeses are indelibly linked to their countries of origin. Think of France with its Camembert, the Netherlands with its Gouda, and Spain with its Manchego. On the other hand, Cheddar – a classic English cheese with a history going back centuries – has become a worldwide favorite that doesn’t necessarily much resemble the original It’s the second most popular and widely produced cheese in America, for instance, after another borrowed example – mozzarella – found on almost every pizza in the country (as at the best pizza place in every state).
20. China
> Annual cheese production (in millions of pounds): 624
> Representative cheeses: Rushan, Chura Kampo
[in-text-ad]
19. Ireland
> Annual cheese production (in millions of pounds): 633
> Representative cheeses: Gubbeen, Cashel Blue
24/7 Wall St.
18. Belarus
> Annual cheese production (in millions of pounds): 783
> Representative cheeses: Poshekhon, Rokforty
17. Australia
> Annual cheese production (in millions of pounds): 838
> Representative cheeses: Cheddar, Grabetto
[in-text-ad-2]
16. New Zealand
> Annual cheese production (in millions of pounds): 860
> Representative cheeses: Cheddar, Egmont
15. Mexico
> Annual cheese production (in millions of pounds): 988
> Representative cheeses: Queso Fresco, Cotija
[in-text-ad]
14. Denmark
> Annual cheese production (in millions of pounds): 1,003
> Representative cheeses: Danbo, Havarti
13. Canada
> Annual cheese production (in millions of pounds): 1,100
> Representative cheeses: Cheddar, Oka
12. United Kingdom
> Annual cheese production (in millions of pounds): 1,111
> Representative cheeses: Cheddar, Stilton
[in-text-ad-2]
11. Argentina
> Annual cheese production (in millions of pounds): 1,199
> Representative cheeses: Proveleta, Reggianito
10. Spain
> Annual cheese production (in millions of pounds): 1,208
> Representative cheeses: Manchego, Idiazábal
[in-text-ad]
9. Turkey
> Annual cheese production (in millions of pounds): 1,664
> Representative cheeses: Beyaz Peynir, Tulum
8. Brazil
> Annual cheese production (in millions of pounds): 1,742
> Representative cheeses: Queijo Minas, Canastra
7. Poland
> Annual cheese production (in millions of pounds): 2,028
> Representative cheeses: Oscypek, Bryndza
[in-text-ad-2]
6. Netherlands
> Annual cheese production (in millions of pounds): 2,103
> Representative cheeses: Gouda, Edam
5. Russia
> Annual cheese production (in millions of pounds): 2,370
> Representative cheeses: Rossiysky, Tvorog
[in-text-ad]
4. Italy
> Annual cheese production (in millions of pounds): 3,029
> Representative cheeses: Parmigiano-Reggiano, Gorgonzola
3. France
> Annual cheese production (in millions of pounds): 4,092
> Representative cheeses: Camembert, Roquefort
2. Germany
> Annual cheese production (in millions of pounds): 5,205
> Representative cheeses: Allgäuer Bergkäse, Cambozola
[in-text-ad-2]
1. United States
> Annual cheese production (in millions of pounds): 13,706
> Representative cheeses: Cheddar, Monterey Jack
Cash Back Credit Cards Have Never Been This Good
Credit card companies are at war, handing out free rewards and benefits to win the best customers. A good cash back card can be worth thousands of dollars a year in free money, not to mention other perks like travel, insurance, and access to fancy lounges. See our top picks for the best credit cards today. You won’t want to miss some of these offers.
Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
