Although some may not consider its sales gains gangbusters, the butter and creamer dairy subcategories are led by refrigerated butters and refrigerated coffee creamers, according to Chicago-based market research firm Circana. Conversely, the other three subcategories, refrigerated butter blends, refrigerated dairy half-and-half, and refrigerated dairy cream, exhibited mixed-to-negative results for the 52-week period ending May 19.
Let’s start with the good news. Refrigerated butter sales exceeded $4.25 billion for the previously stated one-year period, a year-over-year (YoY) gain of 1%. Unit sales advanced by 3% YoY to 914.4 million. Private label easily led the way in this subcategory, accounting for approximately half of all dollar sales ($2.29 billion). Private-label refrigerated butter sales rose 2% YoY, while unit sales had an even better year, increasing 6% to 522 million.
Arden Hills, Minn.-based Land O’ Lakes placed No. 2 on the list, yet saw dollar sales drop 1% to $836 million, and a unit sales decline of 3% to 159 million. A standout for the 52 weeks ending May 19 was Kerrygold. The Dublin, Ireland-based company enjoyed a refrigerated butter dollar sales increase of 17% YoY to $472 million, which paired nicely with a 15% unit sales gain to 98 million, according to Circana data.
Shifting to refrigerated coffee creamers, total dollar sales perked up by 4% YoY to $4.8 billion, while unit sales gained 2% YoY to more than 1 billion. Vevey, Switzerland-based Nestlé doubled up all competitors in terms of dollar sales, reaching $2.3 billion for the year ending May 19, a 2% decline. Its unit sales dropped by 6% to 451 million.
However, several companies saw refrigerated coffee creamer sales percolate, according to Circana data. In terms of YoY percentage gain advancements, Chobani takes the cake (or coffee in this circumstance). The Norwich, N.Y.-based company achieved impressive dollar sales gains of 55% YoY to $216 million, as well as a similar 54% YoY improvement to 46 million.
A subcategory experiencing mixed results was refrigerated dairy half-and-half. The positive can be found in overall dollar sales, which rose 2% YoY to $1.37 billion, but unit sales dipped a slight 0.3% to just shy of 4 million. Private label accounted for way more than half of all sales in this subcategory, with dollar sales up 4% YoY to $867 million. Its unit sales also increased by 2% to 273 million, Circana states.
While none of the top 10 manufacturers in the dairy half-and-half enjoyed double-digit YoY gains, No. 2 processor Horizon Organic had a strong year ending May 19. The Broomfield, Colo.-based company’s sales jumped 6% YoY to nearly $68 million, while unit sales grew 2% to 14 million.
Subcategories suffering negative yearlong periods were refrigerated butter blends and refrigerated dairy cream. Refrigerated butter blend dollar sales declined by 2% YoY to $432 million, along with a 3% unit sales drop to 97 million. Land O’Lakes was the No. 1 seller in this subcategory. Its $364 million in sales for the 52 weeks ending May 19 were 10 times greater than any competitor. Its dollar sales figure was good enough for a 4% YoY gain. Land O’ Lakes unit sales jumped 3% to 81 million, notes Circana.
Among top 10 butter blend sellers, one company easily stands out. This honor goes to No. 7 seller Fleischmann’s, whose dollar sales and unit sales enjoyed quadruple-digit YoY gains. Its dollar sales skyrocketed by 3,063% YoY to $943,064, impressively bested by a unit-sales gain of 3,552% to 224,688 for the ConAgra division.
Refrigerated dairy creams also suffered dollar-sale and unit-sale declines for the year ending May 19. The subcategory’s dollar sales came in at $192 million, a 3% decline, along with a similar 4% unit sales dip to 45 million. The No. 1 seller in this subcategory was private label, whose dollar sales and unit sales both dropped by 4% to $70 million and 17.8 million, respectively.
It was a tough year for several sellers in this subcategory. However, among the top 10, Garelick should be recognized for its robust year. The Franklin, Mass., company, a division of Dean Foods and the No. 8 seller in the refrigerated dairy cream subcategory achieved dollar sales of $3.7 million for the year ending May 19, a 30% YoY gain. Unit sales rocketed higher by 20% to 786,876, per Circana data.
