In 2022, approximately 512 thousand metric tons of cheese were produced in the United Kingdom. Between 2001 and 2013, cheese production in the UK ranged between 393 thousand and 351 thousand tons. Starting in 2014, production increased by over 475 thousand tons and reached an all-time high in 2021.
UK Cheese market
Production increase coincides with a rise in consumption on the market after 2014. However, previous years have seen higher or similarly high consumption numbers. It seems likely that this production increase at least in part, is to satisfy demand outside of the UK. Retail sales show a similar picture, with a small increase that isn’t enough to account for production increase. In fact, retail sales in 2010 were higher than production output. 2018 has seen these numbers reversed.
In 2020, 380 enterprises were actively operating dairies and producing cheese in the UK. This is an increase of 71 companies compared to a decade earlier.
Cheddar cheese – Britain’s favorite
During the last five years cheddar retail sales have seen very little changes. Overall volume remained consistent, while only a slight shift towards extra mature cheddar could be observed. In 2018, consumers spent more money on cheddar than during the prior year. This is a reversal of the trend seen during the prior four years. All types of cheese have seen an increase in expenditure with extra mature cheddar showing the highest increase in absolute and relative numbers.
Annual volume of cheese produced in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2001 to 2022
(in 1,000 metric tons)
Characteristic
Production in thousand metric tons
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AHDB. (June 29, 2023). Annual volume of cheese produced in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2001 to 2022 (in 1,000 metric tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 25, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/616651/production-volume-of-cheese-united-kingdom-uk/
AHDB. "Annual volume of cheese produced in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2001 to 2022 (in 1,000 metric tons)." Chart. June 29, 2023. Statista. Accessed August 25, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/616651/production-volume-of-cheese-united-kingdom-uk/
AHDB. (2023). Annual volume of cheese produced in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2001 to 2022 (in 1,000 metric tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 25, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/616651/production-volume-of-cheese-united-kingdom-uk/
AHDB. "Annual Volume of Cheese Produced in The United Kingdom (Uk) from 2001 to 2022 (in 1,000 Metric Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 29 Jun 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/616651/production-volume-of-cheese-united-kingdom-uk/
AHDB, Annual volume of cheese produced in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2001 to 2022 (in 1,000 metric tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/616651/production-volume-of-cheese-united-kingdom-uk/ (last visited August 25, 2024)
Annual volume of cheese produced in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2001 to 2022 (in 1,000 metric tons) [Graph], AHDB, June 29, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/616651/production-volume-of-cheese-united-kingdom-uk/