• The United States is the World’s largest producer of cheese, with more than 1,000 varieties of cheese available. 
• The long-standing heritage of USA Cheese was at the forefront of this year’s International Cheese and Dairy Awards and World Cheese Award, where US cheesemakers brought home a combined total of 235 accolades and medals.
• Select specialty cheeses from award-winning US cheesemakers – Beehive Cheese Company, Rogue Creamery, Sartori Company, and Tillamook County Creamery Association – are now available in Singapore for consumers to enjoy.

Being the world’s largest producer of milk, the US holds the title of the world’s largest producer and exporter of cheese, with over 1,000 varieties ranging from European styles to American Originals such as Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, and cream cheese. Beyond the large production and export volume, the US cheese industry’s reputation for its first-class craftsmanship for producing high-quality, innovative, and award-winning cheeses was internationally recognised and cemented at this year’s edition of the International Cheese and Dairy Awards and the World Cheese Awards. 

The long-standing heritage of Cheese from the USA was at the forefront of the industry’s biggest competitions this year, receiving a combined total of 235 accolades and medals – 88 medals at the 2023-2024 International Cheese and Dairy Awards (including 34 Gold, 29 Silver, and 25 Bronze) and 147 at the 2023-2024 World Cheese Awards (including 7 Super Gold, 22 Gold, 41 Silver, and 77 Bronze).

“The conversion of culture and tradition behind USA Cheeses is what makes them so special. Taking the backgrounds and ancestry from various farmers and producers to create spectacular cheeses and meet the needs of consumers across the globe,” said Ryan Hopkin, Global Cheese Communications Manager for the USA Cheese Guild. “We’re thrilled that the versatility continues to be recognized within the industry and with consumers whether it’s at competitions, on restaurant menus or in someone’s kitchen.”

Select specialty cheeses from these award-winning US cheesemakers are now available in Singapore through large retailers such as Cold Storage and NTUC FairPrice Finest, as well as on e-commerce platforms including Amazon and RedMart by Lazada. The US cheesemakers and their varieties include:

• Beehive Cheese Company – Seahive Cheddar (Bronze, 2023/2024), Apple Walnut Smoked Cheddar (Bronze, 2022/2023), Teahive Cheddar (Silver, 2021/2022), Barely Buzzed Cheddar (Bronze, 2021/2022).
• Sartori Company – Sartori Espresso BellaVitano (Gold, 2023/2024), Sartori Old World Cheddar (Bronze, 2023/2024), Sartori Merlot BellaVitano (Bronze, 2022/2023), Sartori Tennessee Whiskey BellaVitano (Silver, 2021/2022), Sartori Chardonnay BellaVitano (Bronze, 2021/2022). 
• Tillamook Country Creamery Association – Tillamook Smoked Black Pepper White Cheddar (Bronze, 2022/2023). 

The US cheese industry continues to gain recognition against its international counterparts in recent years, including the first-ever American recipient of the “World Champion Cheese” award – Rogue River Blue by Rogue Creamery – in the 2019 and 2020 editions of the World Cheese Awards. Wrapped in organic, hand-picked Syrah grape leaves that have been soaked in pear spirits, this aged blue cheese is now available in Singapore at the Little Farms grocer.

To learn more about some of the award-winning Cheeses from the USA and ways to enjoy them, the USA Cheese Guild has created the USA Cheeseboard app, which features cheese profiles, recipes by cheese type, and almost 300 cheese and beverage pairings.

About the USA Cheese Guild

The USA Cheese Guild represents American dairy farmers and the entire US cheese community to build global awareness of the excellent cheeses from the USA. Through education and promotions, the Guild aims to inform chefs, importers, and consumers about the craftsmanship, quality, innovation, variety, and versatility of USA cheeses. 

The Guild sanctions the USA Cheese Specialist™ Certification Program, which is offered through workshops and many prestigious culinary schools and universities worldwide. With this program, culinary students and professionals, as well as food importers, distributors, and retailers, can learn more about cheese, how to use it or sell it, and most of all, discover an industry they never knew existed.

Managed by the US Dairy Export Council, the USA Cheese Guild is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, and has offices across Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia.