Severe Shortage Leads to First Import of Cottage Cheese from Switzerland

Importers seize chance as Swiss cottage cheese reaches non-kosher chains priced up to NIS 9 per tub with three-month shelf life.

Euro Cheese cottage cheese from Switzerland.

(photo credit: Walla System)

OCTOBER 20, 2026 10:05

In recent months cottage cheese and white cheese have turned into sought-after boutique products. They reach store shelves in limited amounts and lucky shoppers who spot them quickly add several tubs to their carts since supplies often run out by the next day. Producers attribute the shortfall to reduced workdays during consecutive holidays that halted production lines. Yet despite earlier assurances the gap was to close over a week ago the shortage persists.

Strong demand and bare shelves prompted Euro Cheese to import cottage cheese from overseas for the first time in Israeli market history. The source is Switzerland known for its pasture-grazing cows.

Swiss cottage cheese arrives in Israel amid local shortage

Euro Cheese founded in 2010 focuses on importing marketing and distributing cheeses and dairy items worldwide. It serves retail chains delis restaurants hotels and specialty outlets. Its portfolio includes Waldehuysen Gouda Old Amsterdam and Yantar cheese. Last June Sugat purchased controlling stake in Euro Cheese and its affiliate Eurostandard for roughly NIS 140 million.

Given the acute cottage cheese shortage when the supplier presented this option we acted quickly says Guillaume Shenez professional manager at Euro Cheese. The item also sells well in the Arab sector.

Standard cottage cheese typically expires in about two weeks which is too brief for import due to spoilage risk. The Swiss version offers a three-month shelf life making shipment to Israel practical. Because the product is non-kosher it is sold at Tiv Taam Keshet Teamim and non-kosher delis and groceries. Should demand continue the company may later arrange kosher production lines to bring in certified cottage cheese.

Pricing shows only a modest difference. Local tubs sell for NIS 6.50 to NIS 7.90 while the imported Swiss version costs NIS 8 to NIS 9 yet provides far longer shelf life.

One can hope the Swiss import will encourage local dairy producers to increase output and restore ample supplies of these popular cheeses to shelves.