Blue Cheese Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Gorgonzola, Castello Double Crème Blue, Roquefort, Stilton, Castello Traditional Danish Blue), By Source (Sheep’s Milk, Cow’s Milk, Goat’s Milk), By Distribution Channel (Online, Specialty Stores, Supermarket/Hypermarket, Others), By Region, & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 2.23 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.13%
Fastest Growing Segment	Online
Largest Market	Europe
Market Size (2031)	USD 3.01 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Blue Cheese Market will grow from USD 2.23 Billion in 2025 to USD 3.01 Billion by 2031 at a 5.13% CAGR. Blue cheese is a distinct category of semi-soft to hard cheese defined by vertical or irregular veins of blue-green mold, typically Penicillium roqueforti, which are introduced during a specialized inoculation and aging process. The market’s expansion is fundamentally supported by the maturation of global organized retail infrastructure and the permanent integration of premium dairy ingredients into the food service sector for dressings, dips, and gourmet menu items. Unlike transient culinary fads, these drivers represent a structural shift in consumption patterns and supply chain capabilities that ensure consistent product availability across new geographies.

However, the sector faces a significant challenge regarding the high operational costs associated with maintaining precise cold chain environments required to prevent spoilage and ensure regulatory compliance. Despite these logistical hurdles, the industry maintains a positive trajectory in production volume. According to the Consortium for the Protection of Gorgonzola PDO Cheese, in 2024, production reached a record 5,277,959 wheels, marking a 1.9% increase over the previous year. This data underscores the resilience of established blue cheese varieties even amidst stringent manufacturing and distribution demands.

Key Market Drivers

The Expanding Application of Blue Cheese in the Global Food Service Industry is fundamentally reshaping demand as culinary professionals increasingly utilize these cheeses beyond traditional cheeseboards. High-end restaurants and fast-casual chains are integrating robust blue cheese profiles into burgers, savory cocktails, and premium sauces to create distinctive flavor experiences that appeal to adventurous diners. This trend is evident in the performance of major dairy suppliers who have tailored their portfolios to meet professional kitchen needs, shifting volume from retail to commercial channels. According to Arla Foods, February 2025, in their annual report, their dedicated foodservice brand Arla Pro experienced a volume growth of 13.7% during 2024, highlighting the surging commercial demand for adaptable, high-quality dairy solutions in professional environments.

Simultaneously, the Rising Consumer Preference for Premium and Artisanal Cheese Varieties is driving manufacturers to diversify production toward more intense and specialized flavor profiles. Consumers are moving away from generic blue cheeses in favor of products with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status and distinct aging characteristics that offer a gourmet experience. This shift is quantifiable in the production metrics of specific high-value varieties that cater to sophisticated palates. According to the Consortium for the Protection of Gorgonzola PDO Cheese, January 2025, production of the spicy "Piccante" variety surged by 20.47% to 738,935 wheels in 2024, significantly outpacing standard varieties. This enthusiasm for heritage and quality is mirrored in the United Kingdom, where, according to Niche Magazine, December 2024, Stilton sales recorded a 6% year-on-year rise, fueled by younger consumers embracing artisanal qualities.

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Key Market Challenges

The high operational costs required to maintain precise cold chain environments significantly impede the growth of the Global Blue Cheese Market. Blue cheese varieties require strict temperature and humidity controls throughout the entire supply chain, from inoculation and aging to final delivery, to preserve the integrity of the live Penicillium mold. These rigorous demands necessitate substantial continuous energy expenditure and specialized logistical infrastructure, which drastically inflates production and distribution expenses. Consequently, manufacturers are often forced to pass these overheads onto the consumer, positioning blue cheese as a premium-priced commodity that is vulnerable to shifts in purchasing power.

This financial pressure directly impacts market volume, as higher price points deter expansion into price-sensitive demographics and regions with underdeveloped cooling networks. This restrictive dynamic is evident in recent market performance within key producing regions. According to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, in 2024, retail volumes for Stilton and British blue cheese categories declined by 2.2% year-on-year. This contraction highlights how the capital-intensive nature of maintaining cold chain compliance erodes profit margins and limits the ability of producers to scale output, thereby acting as a primary brake on broader market expansion.

Key Market Trends

The Expansion into Single-Serve and Ready-to-Eat Snacking Formats is fundamentally altering consumer engagement by making blue cheese more accessible to younger demographics who may be intimidated by traditional bulk wedges. Manufacturers are increasingly mitigating the polarizing nature of intense flavor profiles by developing whipped dips, spreadable portions, and mild-flavored snack packs that prioritize convenience and portion control. This strategic diversification allows brands to secure shelf space in the high-growth snacking aisle, effectively decoupling consumption from complex culinary preparation. The commercial viability of this shift is evident in the retail performance of major snacking-focused brands. According to The Grocer, December 2024, in the article 'Snacking and protein buoy 2024 cheese value', the Castello brand recorded a year-on-year value growth of 2.9% in the cheese category, driven significantly by its portfolio of innovative snacking solutions that appeal to modern convenience trends.

Simultaneously, the Adoption of Eco-Friendly and Recyclable Packaging Solutions has transitioned from a niche marketing claim to a core operational requirement for global producers. In response to tightening regulatory mandates and consumer demand for circularity, dairy companies are overhauling their supply chains to eliminate non-recyclable plastics and reduce energy consumption during the energy-intensive aging and distribution processes. This commitment to sustainability is driving substantial investments in renewable infrastructure and packaging redesigns across the market. According to Saputo Inc., June 2025, in the 'Annual Report 2025', the company achieved a 22% reduction in carbon intensity compared to its fiscal year 2020 baseline, a milestone largely attributed to renewable electricity initiatives supporting its extensive manufacturing network, including its market-leading blue cheese operations.

Segmental Insights

The Online segment currently represents the fastest-growing distribution channel within the Global Blue Cheese Market, driven by a fundamental shift in consumer purchasing behaviors toward digital convenience. This expansion is primarily supported by the proliferation of direct-to-consumer sales models, which allow manufacturers to bypass traditional retail constraints and offer a broader inventory of artisanal products to a global audience. Furthermore, substantial improvements in cold-chain logistics have effectively mitigated perishability concerns, ensuring product integrity during transit. These factors collectively foster higher consumer confidence in purchasing fresh dairy products through digital platforms, resulting in accelerated segmental growth.

Regional Insights

Europe maintains a dominant share of the Global Blue Cheese Market, driven by extensive manufacturing heritage and high domestic consumption. Nations including France, Italy, and the United Kingdom serve as primary production hubs for established varieties such as Roquefort and Stilton. This regional leadership is supported by the European Commission, which implements Protected Designation of Origin frameworks to safeguard product authenticity and traditional production standards. Consequently, these regulatory measures ensure consistent quality and facilitate strong trade performance, solidifying the region's status as the principal supplier in the global industry.

Recent Developments

• In September 2025, the Boursin brand, owned by the Bel Group, unveiled a new Blue Cheese Flavour product as part of its strategy to innovate within the specialty cheese market. This latest addition infused the brand's signature creamy and crumbly soft cheese base with a delicate hint of blue cheese, offering a milder alternative for consumers. The product was launched initially in major United Kingdom retailers, including Sainsbury's. The company positioned this release to meet rising consumer demand for blue cheese flavors while providing a versatile option suitable for social occasions, cooking, and pairing on cheeseboards.
• In October 2024, Saputo USA expanded its Treasure Cave product line with the launch of a new Mild Blue Cheese. Designed to cater to consumers who might be hesitant about the intense sharpness of traditional varieties, this offering delivered a subtler flavor profile and a creamy texture. The product was made available in both wedge and crumble formats across grocery retailers nationwide. This strategic initiative reflected the company's objective to broaden the appeal of the blue cheese category and capture a larger market share by offering an accessible option for those seeking a less polarizing flavor experience.
• In July 2024, Climax Foods successfully introduced its proprietary plant-based blue cheese, branded as Climax Blue, to the retail sector via the Good Eggs online marketplace. Developed by utilizing advanced machine learning and data science to identify plant ingredients that replicate the molecular composition of dairy cheese, the product offered a rich, tangy flavor profile characteristic of traditional blue cheese. The company reported that the initial stock sold out rapidly upon release, demonstrating a robust market appetite for sustainable, dairy-free alternatives that do not compromise on artisanal quality or sensory experience.
• In February 2024, researchers from the University of Nottingham and the spin-out company Myconeos revealed a significant scientific advancement involving the fungus Penicillium roqueforti, which is essential for blue cheese production. Through a combination of bioinformatics and gene editing techniques, the team deciphered the biochemical pathway responsible for the classic blue-green pigment and engineered strains capable of producing diverse colors such as white, yellow-green, and red-brown-pink. This breakthrough provided the industry with the capability to manufacture cheese with the traditional taste of blue cheese but in visually distinct formats, thereby opening new commercial avenues for product differentiation.

Key Market Players

• The Kroger Co.
• AgCertain Industries, Inc.
• Climax Foods Inc.
• Arla Foods amba
• Alma Market SA
• J&L Grubb Ltd
• Organic Producer Pools
• Savencia SA
• Saputo Inc.
• The Kraft Heinz Company

By Type	By Source	By Distribution Channel	By Region
Gorgonzola Castello Double Crème Blue Roquefort Stilton Castello Traditional Danish Blue	Sheep’s Milk Cow’s Milk Goat’s Milk	Online Specialty Stores Supermarket/Hypermarket Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Blue Cheese Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Blue Cheese Market, By Type:

• Gorgonzola
• Castello Double Crème Blue
• Roquefort
• Stilton
• Castello Traditional Danish Blue

• Blue Cheese Market, By Source:

• Sheep’s Milk
• Cow’s Milk
• Goat’s Milk

• Blue Cheese Market, By Distribution Channel:

• Online
• Specialty Stores
• Supermarket/Hypermarket
• Others

• Blue Cheese Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE