Climate change is affecting the nutritional value and sensory traits of cheese, particularly Cantal, a firm, unpasteurized cheese from France. Researchers found that cows fed on corn instead of grass produced cheese with lower nutritional value and different taste, color, and texture. As droughts become more frequent, dairy producers are shifting to corn-based diets, which may impact the quality of cheese.
Forecast for 6 months: Dairy producers will continue to experiment with different feed mixes to maintain milk quality, leading to a slight increase in the use of corn-based diets.
Forecast for 1 year: The impact of climate change on cheese production will become more apparent, with a noticeable decrease in the quality of cheese from cows fed on corn-based diets.
Forecast for 5 years: The dairy industry will adapt to climate change by adopting more resilient feedstocks and adjusting production methods, leading to a moderate increase in the use of alternative feed sources.
Forecast for 10 years: Climate change will significantly alter the global cheese market, with a shift towards more sustainable and resilient production methods, potentially leading to a decline in the demand for traditional cheese varieties.
