PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Processed cheese to drive growth, fuelled by improved consumer awareness and innovation
Processed cheese is likely to experience the most rapid growth within cheese during the forecast period, influenced by increased consumer awareness of various uses, exposure to dining-out culture, and more frequent promotional activities by major brands. In India, processed cheese consumption has primarily been led by plain slice variants, contributing to its established association with western breakfasts, particularly when paired with bread.
Soft cheese will see greater proliferation of packaged formats
Rising concerns regarding paneer (soft cheese) adulteration are likely to accelerate consumer preference for packaged products. Paneer, a widely consumed protein-rich vegetarian food in Indian households, has traditionally been sourced unpackaged from local dairies due to its lower cost and perception of freshness.
Government initiatives to aid affordability of packaged cheese offerings
The government of India has implemented a new Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate on paneer (soft cheese) down from 5% to 0% and cheese (processed and spreadable cheese) down from 12% to 5%, effective from 22 September 2025. This change is expected to influence demand by boosting affordability, expanding access to packaged products, and supporting formal market growth.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Cheese industry in India with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to a comprehensive range of core packaged food categories.
If you're in the Cheese industry in India, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Cheese in India report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Cheese in India?
- Which are the leading brands in Cheese in India?
- How are products distributed in Cheese in India?
- How is the rise of e-commerce and/or the expansion of modern grocery retail impacting traditional retail?
- What are the key health and wellness concerns driving, or challenging, sales in Cheese?
- How significant are vegan and vegetarian dietary requirements in determining sales growth in India?
- How has COVID-19 impacted consumer demand? To what extent have lockdown, home seclusion and stockpiling boosted sales? Will the longer term economic repercussions of the pandemic stimulate or suppress future growth?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
- How significant will values-based claims, such as sustainability and ethical labelling, be in supporting future growth and brand equity?
Cheese in India - Category analysis
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Soft cheese benefits from rising health consciousness, home cooking trend bolsters processed cheese
Competition continues to intensify through growing distribution reach of new-age brands
Small local grocers remain key as modern retailers and e-commerce benefit from greater variety and convenience
Processed cheese to drive growth, fuelled by improved consumer awareness and innovation
Soft cheese will see greater proliferation of packaged formats
Government initiatives to aid affordability of packaged cheese offerings
Dairy Products and Alternatives in India - Industry Overview
Dairy products and alternatives in 2025: The big picture
Key trends in 2025
Competitive Landscape
Channel developments
What next for dairy products and alternatives?
DISCLAIMER
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Cheese
- Spreadable Cheese
- Processed Cheese excl Spreadable
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- Packaged Hard Cheese
- Unpackaged Hard Cheese
- Soft Cheese
Cheese
This is the aggregation of hard, soft, spreadable and processed cheese (excl spreadable). Note: Non-dairy cheese substitutes are excluded from this category and tracked under plant-based cheese.
See all of our definitionsWhy buy this report?
- Gain competitive intelligence about market leaders
- Track key industry trends, opportunities and threats
- Inform your marketing, brand, strategy and market development, sales and supply functions
This report originates from Passport, our Cheese research and analysis database.
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