US cheese suppliers see growing opportunities in Philippines

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December 12, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The USA Cheese Guild is expanding its training and industry engagement efforts in the country as part of its campaign to strengthen its share in the domestic cheese market.

The USA Cheese Guild said the Philippines has become one of the most important growth markets for American agriculture products, including cheese, in Asia.

The group pointed out that US cheese exports to the Philippines rose by 24 percent year-on-year in 2024, reflecting the growing demand for the commodity among Filipino consumers, chefs and food operators. The group did not disclose the actual export figures.

“Fresh cheeses, led primarily by cream cheese, account for a major share of US exports to the Philippines, while other American varieties such as white cheddar, sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack are steadily gaining traction,” the group said.

Citing a recent research by the US Dairy Export Council (USDEC), the USA Cheese Guild said that cheese is consumed almost “universally” or 99 percent by middle- to high-income urban consumers in the Philippines.

Around 82 percent of Filipino consumers who ate cheese in the past three months responded that they enjoy it at least once a week or more often, according to the group.

“This rising appetite signals a promising opportunity for local food businesses and operators to innovate, expand offerings and meet the desire of Filipinos for quality cheese experiences, especially as the awareness of cheese varieties continues to evolve,” the USA Cheese Guild said.

To take advantage of the growing demand for American cheese products, the USA Cheese Guild introduced last year its USA Cheese Specialist Certification Program.

The program aims to support local industry development by offering an in-depth training to culinary students, professional chefs, retailers and distributors on various cheese-related activities such as handling, storage and pairings.

“Educating chefs and culinary professionals on the proper cheese handling and application doesn’t just improve kitchen efficiency - it sparks innovation,” Chef Muhammad Imran said.

“Our goal is for more Filipino chefs to discover the versatility of USA Cheeses and use them to create new flavor experiences for local diners,” Imran added.

Karen Evangelista, merchandising director of The Marketplace, said they see a huge opportunity in including more USA-made cheese in the supermarket’s ready-to-go meals.

“Cheese adds flavor, quality, and comfort to food and we believe customers will really enjoy these new offerings,” Evangelista said.

The USA Cheese Guild also collaborates with local retailers, distributors and other trade partners through market insights as well as development of product applications and facilitating connections with US cheese suppliers.

The group added that the combined efforts help Filipino retailers, distributors and food and beverage innovators capture new growth opportunities, while strengthening trade links between the Philippines and the US.

“Our long-term vision is to build a knowledgeable, well-supported network of culinary and trade professionals who understand the value and potential of USA Cheeses,” said Dali Ghazalay, USDEC’s regional director for Southeast Asia.

“By investing in education and direct engagement, we’re paving the way for sustainable growth in the Philippines, as we build deeper appreciation of Cheese from the USA among Filipino professionals and consumers alike,” Ghazalay said.