MADISON, WIS. — With consumers clamoring for international and artisanal cheeses, a “global cheese renaissance” ranks among the top cheese trends for the year ahead, according to a new report from the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW).

The organization said it developed its 2025 Wisconsin Cheese Trends Report to analyze innovations, flavor trends and consumer preferences that are impacting the cheese industry.

"We constantly track trend research to identify emerging opportunities and strategically position Wisconsin to meet the evolving market needs," DFW executive vice president and Wisconsin Cheese chief marketing officer Suzanne Fanning said. "As we look to [2025], we’ve uncovered five key consumer insights in the cheese industry that we’ll focus on to continue delighting food enthusiasts worldwide."

The trends analysis, utilizing resources from Innova Market Insights, identified the following trends:

• Global cheese renaissance

• Classic comforts on center stage

• Nurturing meaningful connections

• From star ingredients to star experiences

• Mood-boosting bites

The report noted shifting consumer preferences for bold and unique flavors were reflected in the retail sales growth of cheeses such as paneer (34%), burrata (32.1%) and queso quesadilla (22.8%) in the previous year (as of Dec. 1, 2024), per Circana.

In terms of the more familiar favorites that remain popular with consumers, a survey referenced in the report found “65% of consumers want more classic, traditional items on store shelves, while 64% are eager to try new products that incorporate old world recipes.”

The trends report also projected that consumers in 2025 will prioritize freshness, health benefits, nutritional content, price and shelf life.

The full DFW report is available online at the organization's website.