The 15 markets of the Americas consumed more than 10.8 million tonnes of cheese in 2025, the second largest regional total in the database after Europe and Eurasia. Zenith expects consumption to grow by more than 1% a year, approaching 11.8 million tonnes by 2030. Per capita consumption averages around 12 kg.
The USA accounts for most of the region's volume, followed by Brazil, Mexico, Canada and Argentina. Growth is strongest in Mexico and in Central America, where Guatemala, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic rely heavily on imports to meet rising demand.
The region trades in both directions: the USA, Argentina, Uruguay and Nicaragua are net exporters, while Mexico and most Central American and Caribbean markets import a large part of what they eat.
Markets covered: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, USA.
The Zenith Global Cheese Database 2026 covers every market in the region with production, imports, exports and consumption for 39 cheese types, actuals from 2020 to 2025 and forecasts to 2030. Volume data covers totals, broad categories and separately measured cheese types, in tonnes. Consumer retail value covers total cheese only, in local currency and USD; import and export trade values cover HS 0406 total only, in USD. Monetary values are not broken down by individual cheese type or broad category. Retail shelf prices cover total cheese and five broad categories: hard and semi-hard, fresh, mould, processed, and other non-specified cheese, in local currency/kg and USD/kg, not individual prices for all 39 cheese types. Import and export unit prices cover HS 0406 total and available HS subheadings, in USD/kg. Retail value is estimated retail volume multiplied by regular shelf prices, including sales tax. Trade values are customs values, using CIF for imports and FOB for exports. Production is measured as formally manufactured cheese.