South Africa Cheese Market: Changing Diet Preferences, Premiumization & Growth Outlook

According to IMARC Group's latest research publication, South Africa cheese market size reached USD 418.32 Million in 2024. The market is projected to reach USD 651.18 Million by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 5.04% during 2025-2033.

How Rising Food Industry Demand is Reshaping the Future of South Africa Cheese Market

• Powering Dairy Production Growth: South Africa's dairy industry generates R25 billion in gross value, with cheese production reaching 94,000 tons in 2024 and expected to increase by five percent in 2025, driven by expanding export demand and stronger consumer purchasing power.
• Transforming Global Recognition: South African cheesemakers secured multiple Super Gold, Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards at the 2025 World Cheese Awards in Switzerland, with Klein River Cheese winning Super Gold for Babylonstoren Parmesan and elevating the country's reputation on the world stage.
• Boosting Export Opportunities: South Africa cheese exports are forecast to grow by 15 percent in 2025, with roughly 56,000 tons of dairy products shipped in 2024—cheese accounting for 16 percent—primarily to neighboring African nations, Middle East markets, Saudi Arabia, Namibia, and Botswana.

Get In-Depth 2026 Industry Insights & Projections

South Africa Cheese Market Trends & Drivers:

Urbanization rises and a newly affluent class creates a willingness to spend more on cheese products which presents growth opportunities in the South African cheese market. South African consumers tolerate and use cheese more in everyday meals, snacks, and eateries like pizza and burger chains because of globalization and international cuisine proliferation. The trend to make diets more flexible and convenient is expected to continue for market growth, in urban households and food service establishments. This trend also aligns with the increasing demand for more diverse and international flavors in daily meals and focus on convenience and portability.

The foodservice industry, including quick service restaurants (fast food), cafés, cafeterias, hotels, and take out restaurants, are also driving the demand for processed and natural cheese. The use of cheese as a major ingredient in many of these foodservice establishments and the growth of the hospitality and fast food industries is helping to drive the demand for convenience, flavor and ready to eat food. The growing popularity of convenience foods and meals away from home, especially with busy urban populations, has further contributed to the ready availability of cheese for anything ranging from freshly prepared commodity food to foodservice applications.

Growing export opportunities to neighboring African countries and emerging countries in the Middle East, along with growing demand from regional trading partners and endeavors to reach out to newer international markets will drive the growth of the cheese segment in the region during the forecast period. The export focus is made more competitive by quality, proximity and supply chain advantages, and current economic trends and stabilizing factors in the dairy industry allow dairy producers to take advantage of the growing demand for dairy products, with cheese being the fastest-growing segment.

South Africa Cheese Industry Segmentation:

The report has segmented the market into the following categories:

Source Insights:

• Cow Milk
• Buffalo Milk
• Goat Milk
• Others

Type Insights:

• Natural
• Processed

Product Insights:

• Mozzarella
• Cheddar
• Feta
• Parmesan
• Roquefort
• Others

Format Insights:

• Slices
• Diced/Cubes
• Shredded
• Blocks
• Spreads
• Liquid
• Others

Distribution Channel Insights:

• Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
• Convenience Stores
• Specialty Stores
• Online
• Others

Regional Insights:

• Gauteng
• KwaZulu-Natal
• Western Cape
• Mpumalanga
• Eastern Cape
• Others

Competitive Landscape:

The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players.

Recent News and Developments in South Africa Cheese Market

• December 2025: South African cheesemakers achieved major international recognition at the 2025 World Cheese Awards in Switzerland, winning multiple Super Gold, Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals. Standouts included Klein River Cheese's Babylonstoren Parmesan and Dalewood Fromage's Boland cheese, both earning Super Gold, boosting the global reputation of local artisanal and specialty cheeses.
• 2025: Cheese production increased by five percent, driven by rising export demand and improved consumer purchasing power. This follows an estimated 94,000 tons produced in 2024, with coastal producers benefiting from abundant milk supply and contributing to stronger domestic availability and regional trade.
• 2025: Exports of cheese rose by 15 percent, fueled by growing demand in neighboring SADC markets like Botswana, Namibia, and Mozambique, plus access to new opportunities. This builds on a 50 percent export surge in 2024, highlighting recovery and expansion in cheddar, processed, and blue-veined varieties.

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