India Specialty Cheese Market

India Specialty Cheese Market Overview:

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.

India Specialty Cheese Market Trends:

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.

India Specialty Cheese Market Segmentation:

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:

• Fresh Cheese
• Aged Cheese
• Soft Cheese
• Blue Cheese
• Flavored Cheese

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:

• Blocks
• Sliced
• Shredded
• Others

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:

• Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
• Specialty Stores
• Online
• Others

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:

• North India
• South India
• East India
• West India

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.

Competitive Landscape:

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.

India Specialty Cheese Market News:

• In February 2025, Cremeitalia, a premium dairy startup, raised Rs 18 crore ($2.1 Billion) in its Series A funding round to enhance its gourmet cheese offerings in India. The investment was led by the Amit Jatia Family Office. This funding aims to support Cremeitalia's growth in the growing gourmet cheese market.
• In June 2024, Loam Bistro and Artisanal Cheese opened in Pune’s Kalyani Nagar, offering handcrafted cheeses and ingredient-forward dishes. Highlights included their French Onion Grilled Cheese and Nikkei Egg Casserole, blending local and global flavors.

India Specialty Cheese Market Report Coverage:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the India specialty cheese market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What is the breakup of the India specialty cheese market on the basis of product?
• What is the breakup of the India specialty cheese market on the basis of form?
• What is the breakup of the India specialty cheese market on the basis of distribution channel?
• What is the breakup of the India specialty cheese market on the basis of region?
• What are the various stages in the value chain of the India specialty cheese market? 
• What are the key driving factors and challenges in the India specialty cheese market?
• What is the structure of the India specialty cheese market and who are the key players?
• What is the degree of competition in the India specialty cheese market? 

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the India specialty cheese market from 2019-2033.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the India specialty cheese market.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the India specialty cheese industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.