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Germans are the real cheeseheads of Europe
The Dutch are often called "cheese heads" due to both high cheese production and consumption, but the Germans easily surpass them, according to figures from the German Dairy Industry Association (MIV). While the average Dutch person consumed around 17 kilos of cheese last year according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), the average German is far above that with 26,4 kilos.
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Compared to a year earlier, cheese consumption has increased by an additional 900 grams, whereas cheese consumption in the Netherlands has been fairly stable for quite some time.
What explains the differences is not entirely clear. Vegan alternatives have been in vogue for a while, but for the time being, they do not appear to pose a threat to regular cheese consumption.
Total German cheese production is also still on the rise at 2,76 million tonnes. In 2025, another 20.000 tonnes were added.
When it comes to cheese varieties, the Germans like to borrow from their neighbors. Gouda is by far the favorite cheese in Germany. Over 37% of consumers prefer this cheese. In second place comes Camembert with over 25%, and Emmental is in third with nearly 17%.
Fresh (cream) cheese comes in fourth place with over 14%. Together with 'mountain cheese', butter cheese, and Tilsiter, the more German varieties account for about 40% of the market.
Cheese is also the favorite dairy product for nearly half of German consumers.