The Indian cheese market reached a value of INR 56.7 billion in 2021. Looking forward, the market is projected to reach INR 211.5 billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 24.3% during 2022–2027.
GCMMF, Parag Milk Foods, Britannia, and Mother Dairy are the top companies that make cheese in India.
India is currently the world’s largest producer of milk, owing to which the cheese market holds significant growth potential. With the rising influence of western cuisines and inflating disposable incomes, consumers are now shifting from paneer towards cheese, thereby increasing its demand in the country. In addition to this, manufacturers are introducing a number of flavoured cheese products, including pepper, garlic, red chilli flakes, and oregano pickle, which cater to the different tastes and preferences of consumers in India.
Although cheese is extensively used in fast food items like pasta, pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, tacos, cakes, garlic bread, etc., it is also being included in traditional Indian recipes such as dosa, uttapam, and parathas. With the growing working population and their altering food patterns, the fast food industry is experiencing healthy growth, which, in turn, is augmenting the demand for cheese.
Apart from this, with an increase in the number of organised retail outlets, numerous global players are now investing in the Indian cheese market. Moreover, several manufacturers are engaging in marketing campaigns through different advertising media like newspapers, televisions, and social media platforms to increase awareness among consumers about the benefits of cheese. These factors are anticipated to boost the consumption of cheese in the upcoming years.