Italy has solidified its position as the EU’s top cheese exporter by volume, with shipments reaching 97,663 tonnes in the first half of 2025, valued at €968.2 million—a 5% increase year-on-year, according to European Commission data released by Assolatte.
Non-EU markets drove much of the growth, with exports surging in South Korea (+40.8%), Saudi Arabia (+28.4%), Canada (+18.9%), Norway (+9.3%), and the UK (+5.7%), underscoring the global appetite for Italian cheeses as a symbol of quality and authenticity. By contrast, exports to China, Japan, and the US slowed amid ongoing tariff uncertainties.
“This milestone recognises the extraordinary work of our farmers, dairies, and the entire supply chain,” said Francesco Lollobrigida, Italy’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forestry. “Italian cheese is not only a gastronomic excellence but a key part of our cultural and territorial identity.”
