Cheese from milk of sheep, fresh or processed production in Italy
In 2023 Italy produced 73,760 t of cheese from milk of sheep, fresh or processed, the 3rd largest in the world (14.2% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 13%. The record was 99,739 t in 1998.
- Production, 2023
- 73,760 t
- World rank
- 3 of 35
- 10-year change
- +13%
- Record
- 99,739 t
- 1998
Cheese from milk of sheep, fresh or processed in Italy, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
Italy compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 14.2%
- 10.9% in 2013
- 10-year change
- +13%
- world −13%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain | 75,240 | 14.5% |
| 2 | China | 74,811 | 14.4% |
| 3 | Italy | 73,760 | 14.2% |
| 4 | France | 61,090 | 11.7% |
| 5 | Syria | 47,528 | 9.1% |
Map of world production of cheese from milk of sheep, fresh or processed
Share of the world total; Italy is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 73,760 | −0.5% |
| 2022 | 74,100 | −0.5% |
| 2021 | 74,440 | +2.3% |
| 2020 | 72,760 | −6.6% |
| 2019 | 77,870 | +2.6% |
| 2018 | 75,880 | +6.2% |
| 2017 | 71,450 | −1.6% |
| 2016 | 72,580 | +11% |
| 2015 | 65,520 | +4.6% |
| 2014 | 62,640 | −4.2% |
| 2013 | 65,370 | −3.6% |
| 2012 | 67,780 | +1.4% |
| 2011 | 66,870 | −2.3% |
| 2010 | 68,470 | +3.6% |
| 2009 | 66,103 | −20% |
| 2008 | 82,374 | −2.3% |
| 2007 | 84,305 | +1.6% |
| 2006 | 83,011 | +3.4% |
| 2005 | 80,248 | −2.1% |
| 2004 | 81,940 | −1.2% |
| 2003 | 82,926 | −7.9% |
| 2002 | 90,015 | +0.6% |
| 2001 | 89,437 | +6.1% |
| 2000 | 84,303 | +1.6% |
| 1999 | 82,977 | −17% |
| 1998 | 99,739 | +16% |
| 1997 | 85,884 | −6.6% |
| 1996 | 91,919 | −5.8% |
| 1995 | 97,580 | −0.5% |
| 1994 | 98,022 | +3.2% |
| 1993 | 94,962 | +1.3% |
| 1992 | 93,738 | +13% |
| 1991 | 82,892 | −0.6% |
| 1990 | 83,402 | +0.6% |
| 1989 | 82,909 | +0.2% |
| 1988 | 82,756 | +1.3% |
| 1987 | 81,654 | +0.7% |
| 1986 | 81,056 | +0.0% |
| 1985 | 81,022 | +2.8% |
| 1984 | 78,829 | +1.2% |
| 1983 | 77,902 | +1.1% |
| 1982 | 77,086 | −1.0% |
| 1981 | 77,884 | +2.3% |
| 1980 | 76,146 | +1.4% |
| 1979 | 75,058 | +5.9% |
| 1978 | 70,905 | +4.6% |
| 1977 | 67,779 | +1.9% |
| 1976 | 66,487 | +4.6% |
| 1975 | 63,563 | +3.1% |
| 1974 | 61,659 | +4.3% |
| 1973 | 59,109 | +0.5% |
| 1972 | 58,789 | +2.2% |
| 1971 | 57,538 | −4.3% |
| 1970 | 60,128 | +2.2% |
| 1969 | 58,854 | +9.8% |
| 1968 | 53,614 | −11% |
| 1967 | 59,942 | −4.6% |
| 1966 | 62,803 | +6.3% |
| 1965 | 59,078 | +4.2% |
| 1964 | 56,695 | −0.5% |
| 1963 | 56,981 | −0.7% |
| 1962 | 57,362 | −3.2% |
| 1961 | 59,269 | — |
Questions and answers
What is the production of cheese from milk of sheep, fresh or processed in Italy?
Italy produced 73,760 t in 2023, 14.2% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Italy rank in the world for production of cheese from milk of sheep, fresh or processed?
Italy ranked 3rd of 35 countries in 2023. The largest producer was Spain with 14.5% of the world total.
How has the production of cheese from milk of sheep, fresh or processed in Italy changed?
It rose by 13% between 2013 and 2023, compared with −13% for the world. The record was 99,739 t in 1998.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
All countries producing cheese from milk of sheep, fresh or processed
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.