DCA Market Intelligence has introduced the DCA EU Cheese Index, a new weekly benchmark designed to provide a consolidated overview of price movements across the European cheese market. Launched on 5 November 2026, the index combines ten independent cheese price benchmarks into a single weighted reference, helping dairy industry participants monitor broader market trends more efficiently.
The index is expressed in euros per tonne and published every Thursday. It brings together prices for major European cheese categories, with each product assigned a weighting based on its estimated share of European production and market activity.
European Cheese Market Continues to Strengthen
The DCA EU Cheese Index continued its upward movement in week 44, supported by rising prices for mozzarella and foil-ripened cheese. Demand ahead of the Christmas season has been stronger than previously anticipated, while the availability of cheese for near-term delivery remains relatively limited.
Lower milk production in several European countries, including Germany and the Netherlands, has contributed to tighter supply. Several cheese producers have reportedly sold most of their available production for the coming weeks, indicating limited short-term availability in parts of the market.
However, price movements have varied across individual cheese categories. Cheddar prices remained relatively stable, while naturally matured Gouda faced downward pressure due to comparatively high stock levels. These differences highlight the importance of monitoring individual product markets alongside broader price indicators.
Overall, stronger seasonal demand and restricted near-term supply have contributed to a firmer European cheese market.
Ten Cheese Categories Included in the Index
The new index incorporates ten major European cheese categories, providing a broader picture of market developments across different product segments.
These include foil-ripened Edam, foil-ripened Gouda, Mild Cheddar, Cheddar Curd, mozzarella, Frau Antje foil-ripened Gouda, naturally matured foil-ripened Gouda, Emmentaler, Maasdam and Cagliata.
The weighting system reflects the relative importance of each category in the European cheese market. Foil-ripened Gouda represents 38% of the index, while mozzarella accounts for 25%. Other categories carry smaller weightings.
This approach means that price movements in larger market segments have a greater influence on the overall index than changes in smaller categories. By combining these benchmarks, DCA aims to provide a representative indicator of the wider European cheese market rather than focusing on individual product prices.
A Broader Reference for Dairy Market Participants
According to Eric de Lijster, Head of PRA at DCA Market Intelligence, the company’s existing individual benchmarks allow market participants to follow developments in specific cheese markets, while the new index provides a broader reference for understanding overall market direction.
He described the index as a price thermometer for European cheese, enabling users to assess market movements without comparing every individual quotation. The initiative is intended to make market information more accessible and transparent for businesses and professionals across the dairy sector.
Public Index and Subscription-Based Market Data
DCA Market Intelligence will publish the EU Cheese Index publicly through its communication channels every week. Market participants seeking more detailed information can access the individual cheese benchmarks through the company’s platform.
Subscription-based access includes benchmark prices, historical price developments and additional market information for the ten underlying cheese categories. This allows dairy processors, traders, manufacturers and other industry stakeholders to examine specific market segments in greater detail.
As European cheese markets respond to seasonal demand, milk availability and changing inventory levels, the new index offers an additional tool for tracking price developments and supporting informed commercial decisions.
DCA Market Intelligence is an independent, privately owned Price Reporting Agency specialising in benchmark prices and market intelligence across global dairy, meat and potato commodity markets. Its work focuses on transparent methodologies, independent price reporting and improving price discovery across international agri-food supply chains.
