The India specialty cheese market size reached USD 1.62 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 3.27 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 7.51% during 2025-2033. India specialty cheese market is expanding due to the rising demand for premium varieties, increasing snacking innovations, and digital consumer engagement. Health trends are driving artisanal cheese adoption, while brands leverage online platforms to enhance accessibility, supporting the market growth and diversification.
Report Attribute
|
Key Statistics
|
---|---|
Base Year
|
2024 |
Forecast Years
|
2025-2033
|
Historical Years
|
2019-2024
|
Market Size in 2024 | USD 1.62 Billion |
Market Forecast in 2033 | USD 3.27 Billion |
Market Growth Rate (2025-2033) | 7.51% |
Expansion of Cheese-Based Snacks and Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Products
The growing preference for convenience foods is leading to a rise in the availability of cheese-based snacks and ready-to-eat (RTE) products in India. Urban consumers, particularly working professionals and health-conscious individuals, seek fast but gourmet snack choices that merge flavor with health advantages. Specialty cheese is being used in various creative formats like cheese crisps, stuffed croissants, flavored cheese cubes, and baked cheese bites. High-quality cheese types such as parmesan, gouda, and burrata are increasingly essential in upscale snack recipes, enriching flavor profiles and expanding market attraction. The rising impact of global snacking trends and greater exposure to international flavors are driving this change, positioning specialty cheese as an essential component in contemporary Indian snack creations. In line with this trend, in 2025, Lotus Makhana introduced various new snacking innovations, including a Premium Italian Cheese-flavored makhana. The event also introduced India's inaugural makhana seasoning line and Makhana Pops, a nutritious snack crafted from makhana flour and sprouts. This evolution highlights the increasing integration of specialty cheese with native snacks, broadening the category's appeal.
Rising Demand for Premium and Artisanal Cheese Varieties
India’s expanding middle-class demographic, inflating disposable earnings, and growing exposure to global cuisines are fueling the demand for premium and artisanal cheese. Consumers are moving beyond processed cheese, showing a strong preference for specialty varieties such as mozzarella, gouda, feta, and brie. This shift is driven by the expanding presence of gourmet restaurants, cafés, and pizzerias, where high-quality cheese is a key ingredient in Western and fusion dishes. Additionally, health-conscious consumers are actively seeking natural, high-protein, and low-fat cheese options, pushing domestic brands to innovate and cater to evolving dietary trends. Recognizing this opportunity, Indian dairy companies and cooperatives are investing in high-quality, regionally inspired cheeses to strengthen their market presence. In 2025, Paras Dairy introduced Galacia Cheese at Ahaar 2025 in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Crafted from premium cow milk, this new range reflects the company’s commitment to quality and consumer demand for superior dairy products. Such strategic expansions highlight the growing influence of specialty cheese in India's evolving food landscape.
Growing Awareness and Consumer Engagement
The increasing impact of digital platforms is changing how Indian consumers view and interact with specialty cheese. As internet access and social media usage grow, food brands are utilizing online content to inform and motivate consumers about different cheese types, uses, and health advantages. Digital efforts are not only increasing awareness but also facilitating access to high-quality cheese products via integrated online shopping options. A significant instance is the introduction of Cheeseitup.in by Times Network, Britannia's The Laughing Cow Cheese, and Mindshare in 2024, a specialized content platform focused on increasing cheese awareness in India. The site included interactive recipes, health tips, and captivating food content, assisting consumers in discovering various methods to add cheese to their dishes. Through smooth e-commerce integration, users were able to effortlessly buy products, connecting the transition from discovery to consumption. This program emphasizes the significant impact of digital media in broadening the specialty cheese market, rendering it more reachable, desirable, and an essential part of contemporary Indian homes.
IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the regional level for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on product, form, and distribution channel.
Product Insights:
The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the product. This includes fresh cheese, aged cheese, soft cheese, blue cheese, and flavored cheese.
Form Insights:
A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the form have also been provided in the report. This includes blocks, sliced, shredded, and others.
Distribution Channel Insights:
A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the distribution channel have also been provided in the report. This includes supermarkets and hypermarkets, specialty stores, online, and others.
Regional Insights:
The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North India, South India, East India, and West India.
The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Competitive analysis such as market structure, key player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided.
Report Features | Details |
---|---|
Base Year of the Analysis | 2024 |
Historical Period | 2019-2024 |
Forecast Period | 2025-2033 |
Units | Billion USD |
Scope of the Report |
Exploration of Historical Trends and Market Outlook, Industry Catalysts and Challenges, Segment-Wise Historical and Future Market Assessment:
|
Products Covered | Fresh Cheese, Aged Cheese, Soft Cheese, Blue Cheese, Flavored Cheese |
Forms Covered | Blocks, Sliced, Shredded, Others |
Distribution Channels Covered | Supermarkets and Hypermarkets, Specialty Stores, Online, Others |
Regions Covered | North India, South India, East India, West India |
Customization Scope | 10% Free Customization |
Post-Sale Analyst Support | 10-12 Weeks |
Delivery Format | PDF and Excel through Email (We can also provide the editable version of the report in PPT/Word format on special request) |
Key Questions Answered in This Report:
Key Benefits for Stakeholders: