The vegan cheese market size is forecast to record a value of USD 3,467 million in 2024. Vegan cheese, which also goes by the name of cheese substitute, dairy-free cheese, cruelty-free cheese, and plant-based cheese, is enjoying massive popularity among the masses. The industry is forecast to expand at a CAGR of 9% in the ten-year time frame and reach a USD 8,231 million valuation by 2034.
Their appeal is increasing as more people are choosing foods that are environment-friendly, cruelty-free, and mimic attributes of the traditional food options. The industry is projected to exhibit promising growth as more brands introduce a unique range of delicious dairy-free cheese.
| Attributes | Key Insights |
|---|---|
| Vegan Cheese Market Size (2024E) | USD 3,467 million |
| Industry Valuation (2034F) | USD 8,231 million |
| Value-based CAGR (2024 to 2034) | 9% |
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Mozzarella is estimated to acquire a share of 19% in 2024. The product enjoys significant use in popular dishes, especially pizza. The growing vegan movement is motivating consumers to go for delicious plant-based pizzas. Players are thus introducing improved vegan mozzarella to allow people to indulge in cheesy goodness made without dairy.
| Leading Product Type | Mozzarella |
|---|---|
| Value Share (2024) | 19% |
The application of vegan mozzarella extends to vegan takes on grilled cheese sandwiches, lasagna, salads, and pasta dishes to add the familiar cheesy element. A wide spectrum of applications is making mozzarella more attractive to consumers.
Hypermarkets/supermarkets make up 34% of the global market share. Consumers typically increasingly flock to this sales channel to purchase items after going through their ingredient lists and making a comparative judgment about the other available alternatives. These stores continuously offer discounts to compel consumers to buy from their stores.
| Leading Sales Channel | Hypermarkets/Supermarkets |
|---|---|
| Value Share (2024) | 34% |
These stores are allocating more shelf space to vegan products like dairy-free cheese to increase their visibility among consumers unaware of the product.
According to the latest industry projections, the demand for vegan cheese is going to be more pronounced in countries of North America and Europe. In Asia Pacific, consumption patterns vary significantly from country to country, with India showing massive demand for cruelty-free cheese.
| Countries | Forecast CAGR (2024 to 2034) |
|---|---|
| The United States | 6.9% |
| China | 3.9% |
| India | 6.8% |
| Germany | 7.9% |
| The United Kingdon | 5.3% |
The United States vegan cheese industry is benefitting from the surge of interest in vegan products, cheese included. The United States Vegan Cheese Market share of 25.4% weighs heavily on the other regional markets. Thus, extending its influence in the global market.
The accelerated consumer demand for vegan cheese, increasing at 6.9% CAGR, is further attracting several key players like Miyoko's Creamery, Treeline Tree Nut Cheese, Follow Your Heart, etc. to absorb emerging demand through new key offerings.
Lactose-intolerant as well as health-conscious consumers are increasingly consuming dairy-free cheese to keep their health in check. The demand for vegan cheese is further supported by the rising availability of dairy-free cheese in popular stores and restaurant chains.
Consumers in the United Kingdom are creating a consistent demand for vegan cheese. Through 2034, the industry is projected to expand at a 5.3% CAGR, supported by government promotion and awareness efforts about the product’s health benefits.
Popular dairy-free cheese brands like Violife are widely available across the country and are loved by the residents. This Greece-based company, especially, comes in slices, shreds, blocks, and more. Thus, impressing people with its flavor and meltability.
Growing vegan population in the country is further strengthening the demand for vegan cheese. Dairy-free cheese, due to its similar attributes to the conventional version, goes along with pasta, pizza, tacos, etc. Rising popularity of this cheese is inducing supermarkets and health food stores to stock innovations in vegan cheese.
Population in India is on the radar of leading dairy-free cheese brands. Increasing income levels and surging willingness to pay for ethically-produced products are consolidating this sector in India. These industry dynamics are supporting the pace of 6.8% over the next decade.
Purchases of the Indian population are driven by concerns over personal health, animal welfare, and the environment. Customers are searching for these 100% cheese alternatives online to get these products quickly delivered to their order location. Stores, convenience stores, etc. are also stocking alternates for parmesan, mozzarella, cheddar, cheesy dips, and more to foster inclusivity.
Players are also introducing dairy-free cheese offerings that are cholesterol-free so that consumers can enjoy a guilt-free experience.
The vegan cheese industry in Germany is predicted to expand at a promising 7.9% over the estimated period. The easy availability of vegan sliced cheese and other vegan cheese forms in German supermarkets is increasing the industry share for dairy-free cheese in the country.
Broader plant-based movement spurring in Germany, giving impetus to the growth of the vegan cheese industry. In line with this, the country is experiencing a steep rise in vegetarian and vegan diets. The plant-based movement is also supported by more people now opting for flexitarian and reducetarian diets to decrease their consumption of animal products.
Increasing awareness of lactose intolerance is also fueling the sales of plant-based cheese. In time, not far from now, dairy-free cheese producers are predicted to innovate more dairy-free cheese options, particularly fermented varieties, to draw in more customers.
Demand for plant-based cheese in China is expanding at a CAGR of 3.9% over the projected period. Rising population readiness to live more sustainably, consciously, and with a lesser carbon footprint, is fueling the demand for plant-based cheese.
Rising integration of dairy-free cheese and its byproducts in Chinese culinary culture to develop novel fusion foods is raising the consumer base of dairy-free cheese.
Companies are increasingly developing strategic partnerships with food distributors to broaden the reach of their dairy-free cheese line across China. For instance, in May 2023, Youkuai Group International, a Chinese plant-based food firm, partnered with Usource, a local food distributor, to enjoy a better reach across the country.
Youkuai’s dairy-free meat brand Zrou is benefitting from this alliance. This is because its products are increasingly being supplied across various food outlets like hotels, breweries, diners, etc. across Tianjin, Beijing, and other regions of North China.
Key players in the vegan cheese sector are focusing on strategic brand positioning in high-potential markets to increase their industry share. Increasingly, players are exploring new opportunities in the dairy alternatives sector to tap into untapped and niche segments for dairy-free cheese.
Despite the growing popularity of cruelty-free cheese, modern consumers are showing concern over the product’s nutritional value and quality. Consequently, full-scale research and development are being made to mimic the traditional cheese’ properties.
Players are also investing their money in these activities to closely replicate the flavor qualities and intricate structure of the cheese. Innovations in vegan cheese development are thus an effective strategy adopted by players to differentiate their product offerings and increase their competitiveness.
Players are also strengthening their ties with different distribution channels of plant-based cheese. Certain distribution channels employ point of sale (POS) marketing to players who give them a higher cut to reach the intended consumers. Thus, increasing their annual sales of dairy-free cheese.
Corporations are also maximizing business synergies to effectively complement their product pipelines to get ahead in this sector.
Following Latest Developments Molding the Vegan Cheese Sector
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Based on product type, the industry is segregated into mozzarella, parmesan, cheddar, cream cheese, ricotta, and others
By form, the industry is trifurcated into shreds, slices, blocks, and wedges
Various sources of dairy-free cheese are almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, cashew milk, and others
Key end uses of dairy-free cheese include processed and packed foods, food processing, baked goods, sauces, snacks, ready meals, dairy and desserts, food service/HoReCa (hotels, restaurants, cafes), dips and dressings, and household/retail
Dairy-free cheese is available in both conventional and organic form
Various sales channels for dairy-free cheese are traditional grocery stores, indirect sales, hypermarkets/supermarkets, convenience stores, direct sales, specialty retail stores, and online retailers
Key countries taken for this research report are North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America
The industry is going to be worth USD 3,467 million in 2024.
The current forecast projects a CAGR of 9% for the industry.
The industry to expected to reach USD 8,231 million by 2034.
Mozzarella is a prominently used vegan cheese in culinary items.
Germany is predicted to offer opportunities for investors.
Daiya Foods Inc. and Kite Hill have influential market share.
| Estimated Industry Size (2025E) | USD 865.1 million |
|---|---|
| Projected Value (2035F) | USD 1,973.2 million |
| Value-based CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 8.6% |
| Market Value (2023) | USD 95.0 billion |
|---|---|
| Market Anticipated Value (2033) | USD 160.0 billion |
| Market Growth Rate (2023 to 2033) | 5.4% CAGR |
| Market Size Value in 2022 | USD 15.9 Billion |
|---|---|
| Market Forecast Value in 2032 | USD 23.2 Billion |
| Growth Rate (2022 to 2032) | 3.8% CAGR |
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