Regional Government marks World Cheese Day, promoting its identity and economic impact - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação

The Regional Government, through the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, marks today World Cheese Day, highlighting the strategic importance of this product for the identity, economy and sustainable development of the archipelago.

"Based predominantly on pasture milk production, the cheese sector reflects the quality of the Azorean agricultural system and the Region's commitment to sustainable practices. Its products are acknowledged nationally and internationally for their excellence," emphasised the government official.

The date highlights the need to support producers, cooperatives and the industry, promoting regional cheeses as drivers of economic growth, territorial cohesion and external promotion of the Azores. The Azorean Government recognises the essential role of farmers and milk producers, whose daily work, combined with traditional knowledge, ensures the authenticity and quality that distinguish Azorean cheese.

The industry and cooperatives are also recognised for their ability to transform high-quality milk into excellent products, focusing on innovation, certification and food safety, factors that have enabled Azorean cheeses to conquer new markets and boost the Region's reputation.

On this day, the entire sector celebrates the nutritional, heritage and economic importance of one of the most emblematic Azorean products: Azorean cheese.

Today, we celebrate not only World Cheese Day, but also the daily work of hundreds of farmers, producers and cooperatives who keep alive one of the strongest agrifood traditions in the Azores. 

Azorean cheese is more than just a food: it is our identity, our economy and our sustainability. Each cheese produced reflects the quality of our pasture milk, the knowledge accumulated over generations and the Region's commitment to responsible practices. We will continue to support this strategic sector, acknowledging the value of those who produce and promote our cheeses both within and outside the archipelago, as this sector is, and will continue to be, an essential pillar of the Azores' development," added the Regional Secretary.

Cheese production in the Azores has grown steadily over the last decade, despite some fluctuations. Between 2015 and 2025, the total volume produced rose from 27,400 to 34,600 tonnes, representing a 26% increase. The overall trend remained upward, closely following the pattern of milk deliveries, which also increased slightly (+1.8%). The outcome is a sector that is growing moderately but consistently, bolstering the importance of the cheese industry in the Azorean economy.

The Azorean cheese industry has undergone a decade marked by structural changes in supply and production patterns of the islands. This has resulted in an evolving and more diversified sector with increasingly defined production identities among the islands.

The Azorean cheese industry closes the 2015–2025 decade with clear signs of vitality and change – the sector is proving to be solid, sustained by consistent global growth, while undergoing a process of transformation marked by product diversification and the emergence of new consumer trends. The islands are consolidating their own identities, with increasingly defined specialisations, reflecting local traditions and distinct production strategies.

Despite these dynamics, challenges remain. At the same time, significant opportunities are emerging in the areas of differentiated, artisanal and high-quality cheeses, which are gaining ground and pointing to a future where innovation and authenticity can coexist.

The Azores Cheese Portal was presented today as the new digital showcase for cheeses produced in the archipelago under the Azores Brand seal. The platform, available at https://agricultura.azores.gov.pt/queijos/, was created to promote regional production, giving greater visibility to producers and providing more information about the characteristics and nutritional values of these products.

The site already features around 70 Azorean cheeses — from fresh to aged, soft to spreadable — allowing consumers to explore detailed descriptions and identify the areas where each product can be purchased. The portal also includes an area dedicated to producers, containing with information about manufacturing units, photographs, videos and contacts, promoting a more direct link between consumers and companies while consolidating the identity of the Azorean cheese sector.