Wisconsin's Dominance in the Cheese Industry Continues

Friday, May 3rd, 2024 -- 8:01 AM

(Blake Jackson, Wisconsin Ag Connection) Wisconsin's dominance in the American cheese industry continues.

In 2023, the state maintained its position as the nation's leading cheese producer, accounting for an impressive 25% of the total national cheese production. Specialty cheeses, renowned for their premium quality and distinct characteristics, are a significant driver of Wisconsin's cheese industry.

In 2023, these specialty cheeses comprised 27% of the state's total cheese production, reaching a remarkable 942 million pounds. This represents a noteworthy 13.7-million-pound increase compared to 2022.

Wisconsin boasts a robust cheesemaking infrastructure with 117 cheese plants. Notably, 94 of these facilities actively produced at least one type of specialty cheese in 2023.

The variety of specialty cheeses produced in Wisconsin is extensive, encompassing cheeses differentiated by their origin, unique processing methods, limited availability, or even specialized packaging and marketing strategies.

A breakdown of specialty cheese production in 2023 compared to 2022 reveals shifts in production volumes across various types. For instance, Feta cheese production increased by 12 percent, reaching 122,929 thousand pounds, while Parmesan Wheel production saw an 11 percent increase to 105,784 thousand pounds

Conversely, certain cheeses experienced declines in production, such as Asiago and Romano Wheel, which decreased by 22 percent and 24 percent, respectively.

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