| Rank | Country | Production (MT) | Share % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | USA | 6,627,649 | 24.2 | |
| 2 | Germany | 3,041,858 | 11.1 | |
| 3 | France | 2,215,753 | 8.1 | |
| 4 | Italy | 1,344,110 | 4.9 | |
| 5 | New Zealand | 0 | — | Export-focused dairy complex; cheese is a smaller but important value-added outlet alongside butter and powder. |
| 5 | Poland | 1,063,590 | 3.9 |
Major importers
- Germany Major EU processor and intra-bloc trader; large volumes move within the single market.
- France France was the 4th-largest cheese exporter in 2023 and a major importer of specialty and traditional cheeses.[1]
- Netherlands Large export-oriented dairy sector with strong EU and global distribution.
- United States USDA reporting points to continued export growth in 2026, supported by capacity expansion and competitive pricing.[2]
- Italy Strong specialty and PDO cheese base, with substantial imports of complementary varieties.