Global Sheep Milk Cheese Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Fresh Sheep Milk Cheese, Aged Sheep Milk Cheese, Soft Sheep Milk Cheese, Semi-Hard Sheep Milk Cheese, Hard Sheep Milk Cheese), By Application (Table Cheese, Cooking Cheese, Dessert Cheese), By Flavor (Salty, Sweet, Nutty, Earthy, Creamy), By Distribution Channel (Supermarkets and Hypermarkets, Online Retailers, Specialty Cheese Shops, Farmers’ Markets, Direct-to-Consumer Sales), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2023 - 2033

Global Sheep Milk Cheese Market Insights Forecasts to 2033

• The Global Sheep Milk Cheese Market Size was Estimated at USD 2.42 Billion in 2023
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of around 5.10% from 2023 to 2033
• The Worldwide Sheep Milk Cheese Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 3.98 Billion by 2033
• North America is Expected to Grow the fastest during the forecast period.

The Global Sheep Milk Cheese Market Size was worth around USD 2.42 Billion in 2023 and is predicted to Grow to around USD 3.98 Billion by 2033 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.10% between 2023 and 2033. The growing consumer appetite for nutritious and healthy food products, as well as the awareness of the goodness of sheep milk cheese, are some of the key drivers for the growth of this market.

Market Overview

The sheep milk cheese industry encompasses the business that involves manufacturing, distributing, and selling sheep's milk cheese. Sheep milk cheese is rich and creamy in texture and extremely strong and pungent in flavor, typically richer in protein and fat than cow's milk cheese. Sheep milk cheese has twice as much butterfat and additional lactose and minerals as any goat or cow milk cheese. Sheep milk cheese has a low content of calcium, which makes it less susceptible to surface contamination when cooling compared to cow's milk. Sheep milk cheese is digestible, thus promoting sales because most lactose-intolerant individuals are resorting to sheep milk cheese. Heightened nutritional benefits of sheep milk over cow or goat milk are one of the major factors for the sheep milk cheese market to thrive. Sheep milk is rich in essential nutrients such as calcium, protein, and vitamins, thus offering a healthier option for consumers. The method of manufacturing sheep milk cheese is also generally more artisanal, hence attractive to customers seeking high-quality food experiences. The market for sheep milk cheese presents tremendous prospects for expansion, especially through product innovation. Chefs and food processors are accepting novel flavor combinations and profiles that can appeal to a diverse customer base. Additionally, there will be demand for the launch of new sheep milk cheese kinds that have been flavored with spices, herbs, or even mixed with other dairy products to appeal to specialized gourmet markets.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the sheep milk cheese market based on various segments and regions forecasts revenue growth and analyzes trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the sheep milk cheese market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, type launch, development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the sheep milk cheese market.

Driving Factors

Sheep milk is more protein-rich, fatty, vitamin-rich, and mineral-rich in terms of calcium and zinc. All these nutrients are responsible for the health benefits of sheep milk cheese, which makes it a choice for health-conscious consumers driving the demand for the sheep milk cheese market. Additionally, the growing demand for specialty cheeses is a significant contributing factor. As consumers become more adventurous in food choices, they look for distinctive flavors and textures that sheep milk cheese can provide. The growing popularity of Mediterranean diets, which frequently include sheep milk products, has served to further spur this demand.

Restraining Factors

Sheep milk is less accessible than cow milk, which makes production more challenging and costly. This scarcity may lead to higher prices, which would prevent a larger group of consumers from purchasing it further restraining the sheep milk cheese market. Furthermore, compared to cow or goat milk, sheep milk is less well-known to many customers. The market potential of sheep milk may be limited as a result of the frequent hesitancy to test or switch.

Market Segmentation

The sheep milk cheese market share is classified into type, application, flavor, and distribution channel.

• The aged sheep milk cheese segment dominated the market in 2023 and is projected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the type, the sheep milk cheese market is divided into fresh sheep milk cheese, aged sheep milk cheese, soft sheep milk cheese, semi-hard sheep milk cheese, and hard sheep milk cheese. Among these, the aged sheep milk cheese segment dominated the market in 2023 and is projected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period. The growth is attributed to aged sheep milk cheeses tend to have a longer shelf life compared to fresh cheeses, making them easier to transport and store, thus driving higher sales. Aged sheep milk cheeses are used in cooking and culinary applications making them more versatile and in demand in both retail and foodservice sectors.

• The table cheese segment accounted for a significant share in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a remarkable CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the application, the sheep milk cheese market is divided into table cheese, cooking cheese, and dessert cheese. Among these, the table cheese segment accounted for a significant share in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a remarkable CAGR during the forecast period. The segmental growth is due to table cheeses are usually ready to consume and do not need to be cooked or prepared, which makes them easy for consumers. Table cheeses produced from sheep milk are incorporated into a wide range of foods, ranging from basic salads and sandwiches to more elaborate platters, fueling their sustained demand in retail and food service markets.

• The salty segment accounted for the biggest share in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the flavor, the sheep milk cheese market is divided into salty, sweet, nutty, earthy, and creamy. Among these, the salty segment accounted for the biggest share in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The growth is driven by salt being widely applied in the production of sheep milk cheese since it acts to preserve the cheese by inhibiting the development of bacteria and molds. Brining and salting are integral steps in the production of cheeses such as Feta and Pecorino, and therefore salty cheeses are more prevalent and more consumed.

• The supermarket and hypermarket segment accounted for the majority share in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the distribution channel, the sheep milk cheese market is divided into supermarkets and hypermarkets, online retailers, specialty cheese shops, farmers' markets, and direct-to-consumer sales. Among these, the supermarket and hypermarket segment accounted for the majority share in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The growth is attributed to supermarkets and hypermarkets offering a wide range of types of cheese, such as fresh, mature, soft, and hard sheep milk cheeses. Supermarkets and hypermarkets maintain promotions, discounts, and sales on dairy products, including specialty cheese. Such promotions promote increased volume sales, thus prompting consumers to demand sheep milk cheeses.

Regional Segment Analysis of the Sheep Milk Cheese Market

• North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) 
• Europe (Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of APAC)
• South America (Brazil and the Rest of South America) 
• The Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa, Rest of MEA)

Europe is anticipated to hold the largest share of the sheep milk cheese market over the predicted timeframe.

Europe is anticipated to hold the largest share of the sheep milk cheese market over the predicted timeframe. Europe, especially Southern Europe, boasts an extensive tradition of sheep milk cheese making and use. Sheep milk cheeses form a part of the traditional diet of European cuisines, with specific emphasis in nations that carry Mediterranean influences. They are consumed for several dishes ranging from appetizers to full courses, hence possessing an extensive market.

North America is expected to grow at a rapid CAGR in the sheep milk cheese market during the forecast period. North American consumers are more and more looking for premium, specialty, and artisan dairy foods, such as sheep milk cheese. The United States and Canada are the biggest players in the market, with an increasing number of cheese makers and consumers looking for distinctive and quality cheese products.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the sheep milk cheese market along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their type of offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes type development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Savencia Fromage Dairy
• Bel Group
• Fonterra
• Nestlé
• Danone
• FrieslandCampina
• Arla Foods
• Yili Group
• Bright Dairy Food Co.
• Feihe International
• Lactalis Group
• Saputo
• Others

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting And Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Recent Development

• In April 2024, Forever Cheese broadened its offerings with the addition of Wooly Wooly® Black Truffle Sheep's Milk Cheese Log, crafted from sheep's milk in Spain's Jumilla region. This cheese features a sweet quality and subtle tang with a smooth, spreadable texture that's enriched by adding black truffle.

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2023 to 2033. Spherical Insights has segmented the sheep milk cheese market based on the below-mentioned segments: 

Global Sheep Milk Cheese Market, By Type

• Fresh Sheep Milk Cheese
• Aged Sheep Milk Cheese
• Soft Sheep Milk Cheese
• Semi-Hard Sheep Milk Cheese
• Hard Sheep Milk Cheese

Global Sheep Milk Cheese Market, By Application

• Table Cheese
• Cooking Cheese
• Dessert Cheese

Global Sheep Milk Cheese Market, By Flavor

• Salty
• Sweet
• Nutty
• Earthy
• Creamy

Global Sheep Milk Cheese Market, By Distribution Channel

• Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
• Online Retailers
• Specialty Cheese Shops
• Farmers’ Markets
• Direct-to-Consumer Sales

Global Sheep Milk Cheese Market, By Regional Analysis

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of the Middle East & Africa