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Dutch cheese production to rise again in 2025
Dutch cheese production resumed its upward trend last year, likely due in part to higher milk production. Total cheese exports remained virtually unchanged from 2024, but exports to countries outside the EU fell sharply. Meanwhile, cheese imports continue to rise.
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This was stated by Marlou Verkleij, chair of the Dutch Dairy Exchange Foundation, at the organization's New Year's meeting on Thursday afternoon, January 15.
In total, cheese production rose by 0,8% to 984.000 tons. Cheese exports remained stable at 1.074.000 tons. This was partly due to the fact that the Netherlands not only produces a large amount of cheese but also imports a significant amount. Last year, this amounted to 554.000 tons.
Although total cheese exports remained stable, exports to third countries fell by more than 10%. This was offset, however, by growth within Europe.
Cheese imports have been rising for five years in a row. In 2025, 554.000 tons of cheese entered the Netherlands. That's 6,7% more than the previous year. The majority came from EU neighbors (not only Germany and Belgium, but also Ireland). Imports from outside the EU also increased from 10.000 to 14.000 tons.
A similar trend is visible across Europe. EU cheese production increased slightly, exports grew modestly, and imports were also higher for the second year in a row. Encouragingly for cheese producers and the trade, cheese consumption continues to rise both within and outside the EU, a sign that demand remains structurally strong, according to Verkleij.