Europe Non-dairy Cheese Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Product Type (Mozzarella, Cheddar, Cream Cheese and Spreadable Cheese), By Source (Soy Milk, Almond Milk, Coconut Milk) By Distribution Channel (Off-trade and On-trade), and Europe Non-dairy Cheese Market Insights, Industry Trend, Forecasts to 2035

Europe Non-dairy Cheese Market Insights Forecasts to 2035

• The Europe Non-dairy Cheese Market Size Was Estimated at USD 1.21 Billion in 2024
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of around 13.47% from 2025 to 2035
• The Europe Non-dairy Cheese Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 4.86 Billion by 2035

According to a research report published by Spherical Insights & Consulting, the Europe non-dairy cheese market Size is anticipated to reach USD 4.86 Billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 13.47% from 2025 to 2035. The Europe market for non-dairy cheese is spurred by increasing veganism, prevalence of lactose intolerance, sustainability issues, health consciousness, and innovation in vegetable ingredients. Increasing retail availability and demand for clean-label, allergen-free products also play a huge role in market growth.

Market Overview

The Europe non-dairy cheese market is the market for cheese substitutes produced without animal products, usually made from plant-based ingredients like soy, almond, coconut, cashew, and oat. These alternatives are made to have a similar taste, texture, and melting characteristics to dairy cheese, but for consumers who are vegan, lactose-free, or dairy-free. The reduced fat content, lack of cholesterol, and lactose-free attributes thus being appropriate for all diet types. Non-dairy cheese also tends to have a reduced environmental impact, conforming to the growing demand for environmentally sustainable foods. Further, ongoing development in the non-dairy cheese market is one of the major market drivers. Companies are enhancing the taste, texture, and melt characteristics of plant cheese to closely mimic dairy cheese. New varieties and flavorings, including vegan mozzarella, cheddar, and cream cheese, are being created, providing consumers with more options and increasing the appeal of non-dairy cheese in a range of different culinary uses.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the market for Europe non-dairy cheese market based on various segments and regions and forecasts revenue growth and analyzes trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the Europe non-dairy cheese market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, product launch, development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the Europe non-dairy cheese market.

Driving Factors

Lactose intolerance is common among a large percentage of Europeans, which is one of the reasons lactose-free options are in demand. Non-dairy cheese fills this gap for consumers who want dairy-free products but still want to have cheese flavor and texture without compromising their diet. Additionally, Health-oriented consumers have been choosing non-dairy cheese because they have less fat, cholesterol, and calories than regular cheese. Furthermore, non-dairy cheese products tend to be rich in healthy nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, which fit the trend for healthier living. Ongoing advancements in the production of non-dairy cheese products, including flavor, texture, and meltability, have further boosted consumer demand. Innovations such as vegan cream cheese, cheddar, and mozzarella are creating new demand for both vegans and non-vegan consumers seeking to limit their dairy consumption.

Restraining Factors

The manufacture of non-dairy cheeses, particularly those with a dairy cheese-like texture and flavor, can be expensive. Nuts, specific enzymes, and fermentative processes are some of the added ingredients that drive production costs upwards, pricing non-dairy cheeses higher than their dairy counterparts, potentially inhibiting mass adoption, particularly from price-conscious consumers.

Market Segmentation

The Europe non-dairy cheese market share is classified into product type, source, and distribution channel.

• The mozzarella segment dominated the market in 2024 and is projected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period.

The Europe non-dairy cheese market is segmented by product type into mozzarella, cheddar, cream cheese, and spreadable cheese. Among these, the mozzarella segment dominated the market in 2024 and is projected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period. The growth is driven by mozzarella is a staple ingredient used in leading foods such as pizza, pasta, and salads. The use of non-dairy mozzarella in restaurants and in-home use has fueled its growth in retail and foodservice channels. Its meltability, texture, and overall likeness to dairy mozzarella make it a customer favorite among those looking for plant-based options.

• The soy milk segment held a significant share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The Europe non-dairy cheese market is segmented by source into soy milk, almond milk, and coconut milk. Among these, the soy milk segment held a significant share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The segmental growth is due to soy milk's high protein level and identical chemical composition to milk, allowing for use in fermentation and curdling processes. This enables manufacturers to develop non-dairy cheese with a closer texture, meltability, and taste profile to dairy cheese, providing an acceptable substitute fulfilling consumers' expectations in quality and performance.

• The off-trade segment accounted for the highest share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The Europe Non-dairy cheese market is segmented by distribution channel into off-trade and on-trade. Among these, the off-trade segment accounted for the highest share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The growth is attributed to supermarkets, hypermarkets, and specialist health food stores throughout Europe make non-dairy cheese easily and widely available. Such retail settings provide varied offerings, competitive pricing, and convenience, and are thus the first choice for mass consumers. Their extensive physical presence guarantees that plant-based cheese can be accessed easily, even in smaller towns, significantly increasing off-trade market leadership.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved in the Europe non-dairy cheese market. It also includes a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Bel Group
• Danone SA
• First Grade International Limited
• Granarolo SpA
• Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd
• Saputo Inc.
• Simply V
• Tofutti Brands Inc.
• Upfield Holdings BV
• VBites Foods Ltd.
• Others

Recent Developments:

• In March 2025, Lidl Germany, in partnership with the ProVeg Incubator, hosted a competition to find new plant-based cheese substitutes. The winning product will be stocked in select Lidl stores throughout Germany under the private label Vemondo.

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting and Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at the Europe, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the Europe non-dairy cheese market based on the below-mentioned segments:

Europe Non-dairy Cheese Market, By Product Type

• Mozzarella
• Cheddar
• Cream Cheese
• Spreadable Cheese

Europe Non-dairy Cheese Market, By Source

• Soy Milk
• Almond Milk
• Coconut Milk

Europe Non-dairy Cheese Market, By Distribution Channel

• Off-trade
• On-trade