Higher over the period
UK Cheese Production moved from 430 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 509.9 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (+18.6%), an average of +2.2% a year. The series high was 511.8 Thousand Tonnes in 2022 and the low 430 Thousand Tonnes in 2015.
What UK Cheese Production shows
UK Cheese Production was 509.9 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, down 0.4% on 2022. The UK Cheese Production dataset provides a comprehensive assessment of the country's cheese manufacturing performance and the development of its dairy processing industry between 2015 and 2023.
A 16% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2022) and low (2015) is 81.80 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +4.5% in 2017.
Ranks 11 of 30 countries covered
Among the 30 countries in this dataset, UK ranks 11 for 2023, behind U.S. (6,628 Thousand Tonnes) and Germany (3,042 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 1.9% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
UK Cheese Production by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Thousand Tonnes.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Thousand Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 509.9 | −0.4% |
| 2022Peak | 511.8 | +3% |
| 2021 | 497 | +1.4% |
| 2020 | 490 | +4% |
| 2019 | 471 | +0.2% |
| 2018 | 470 | +2.2% |
| 2017 | 460 | +4.5% |
| 2016 | 440 | +2.3% |
| 2015 Trough | 430 | — |
Regional context
How UK compares in Europe
Cheese Production by country, 2023, Thousand Tonnes. UK is highlighted.
1Germany3,042
2France2,216
3Italy1,344
4Poland1,064
5Netherlands1,019
6Spain535.9
7UK509.9
8Denmark496.7
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
Cheese Production — – Cheese Production refers to the total quantity of cheese produced within a country during a specified period, measured in tonnes. The indicator reflects the output of the dairy processing industry by measuring the production of cheese manufactured from milk. It is used to assess the scale of dairy processing, value-added agricultural production, and the performance of the cheese manufacturing sector. The data presented by Our World in Data is based on statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The data includes the annual production of natural and processed cheese manufactured from milk obtained from dairy animals. It covers cheese produced for domestic consumption, industrial use, and export, including a wide range of cheese varieties reported through official national agricultural and food manufacturing statistics. The figures represent gross domestic cheese production compiled and standardized by the FAO to ensure international comparability across countries and years.
The data excludes raw milk production, butter, yogurt, cream, milk powder, whey products, and other dairy products that are not classified as cheese. It also excludes cheese imports and exports, retail sales, inventories, informal or unrecorded production not captured in official statistics, and cheese substitutes made from non-dairy ingredients such as plant-based alternatives.
About this indicator
Cheese Production — – Cheese Production refers to the total quantity of cheese produced within a country during a specified period, measured in tonnes. The indicator reflects the output of the dairy processing industry by measuring the production of cheese manufactured from milk. It is used to assess the scale of dairy processing, value-added agricultural production, and the performance of the cheese manufacturing sector. The data presented by Our World in Data is based on statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Measured in Thousand Tonnes, the dataset serves as a valuable benchmark for evaluating dairy production capacity, milk utilization, food processing efficiency, agricultural output, supply chain resilience, and domestic demand for cheese products. It also supports analysis of long-term production trends and the dairy sector's contribution to the UK's agri-food industry. Based on the validated data, UK cheese production increased steadily from 430.00 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 440.00 thousand tonnes in 2016 and 460.00 thousand tonnes in 2017. Production continued to rise to 470.00 thousand tonnes in 2018 and 471.00 thousand tonnes in 2019, reflecting stable expansion in dairy processing. Output strengthened further to 490.00 thousand tonnes in 2020, followed by 497.00 thousand tonnes in 2021 and a series high of 511.80 thousand tonnes in 2022. Production eased marginally to 509.90 thousand tonnes in 2023, remaining well above earlier levels and highlighting the resilience of the UK's dairy industry despite changing market conditions. Overall, the dataset provides valuable insights into UK cheese production trends, dairy manufacturing performance, and the long-term development of the cheese sector. It enables year-over-year trend analysis, international benchmarking of cheese production, evaluation of processing efficiency, and assessment of agricultural value addition across the dairy supply chain. Policymakers, dairy producers, processors, exporters, investors, market analysts, and researchers can leverage the dataset to monitor production performance, identify market opportunities, forecast future cheese output, assess industry competitiveness, and formulate evidence-based strategies that improve productivity, strengthen dairy processing capabilities, encourage innovation, enhance supply chain resilience, support sustainable agricultural development, and promote long-term growth across the UK dairy industry.
- Indicator
- Cheese Production
- Country
- UK
- Region
- Europe
- Unit
- Thousand Tonnes
- Coverage
- 2015–2023, annual
- Category
- Agriculture
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- Our World in Data
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Frequently asked questions
What is UK Cheese Production?
Definition – Cheese Production refers to the total quantity of cheese produced within a country during a specified period, measured in tonnes. The indicator reflects the output of the dairy processing industry by measuring the production of cheese manufactured from milk. It is used to assess the scale of dairy processing, value-added agricultural production, and the performance of the cheese manufacturing sector. The data presented by Our World in Data is based on statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
What was UK Cheese Production in 2023?
UK Cheese Production was 509.9 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, down 0.4% on 2022.
How has UK Cheese Production changed between 2015 and 2023?
UK Cheese Production moved from 430 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 509.9 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (+18.6%), an average of +2.2% a year. The series high was 511.8 Thousand Tonnes in 2022 and the low 430 Thousand Tonnes in 2015.
Which year had the highest and lowest UK Cheese Production?
The highest value was 511.8 Thousand Tonnes in 2022 and the lowest was 430 Thousand Tonnes in 2015.
What does the UK Cheese Production data include and exclude?
Included: The data includes the annual production of natural and processed cheese manufactured from milk obtained from dairy animals. It covers cheese produced for domestic consumption, industrial use, and export, including a wide range of cheese varieties reported through official national agricultural and food manufacturing statistics. The figures represent gross domestic cheese production compiled and standardized by the FAO to ensure international comparability across countries and years. Excluded: The data excludes raw milk production, butter, yogurt, cream, milk powder, whey products, and other dairy products that are not classified as cheese. It also excludes cheese imports and exports, retail sales, inventories, informal or unrecorded production not captured in official statistics, and cheese substitutes made from non-dairy ingredients such as plant-based alternatives.
Where does the UK Cheese Production data come from?
The series is sourced from Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/global-food?time=2023&country=USA~DEU~FRA~GBR~BRA~ZAF%3BhideControls&pickerSort=asc&Food=Cheese&Metric=Production&Per+capita=false). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Thousand Tonnes.
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