Today’s consumers have returned to some pre-pandemic eating habits such as convenience — and also are embracing new ones they’re finding on TikTok and other social media platforms.
Today’s consumers have returned to some pre-pandemic eating habits such as convenience — and also are embracing new ones they’re finding on TikTok and other social media platforms.
The past year has been a rollercoaster ride for the cheese category. While the COVID-19 pandemic drastically reduced demand for cheese in foodservice, the category's growth at retail was extensive, notes Kelly Slentz, associate brand manager, cheese for La Farge, Wis.-based Organic Valley.
For decades, the story surrounding the cheese segment has been one of very strong growth, both at retail and foodservice. The category's versatility and abundance of varieties have worked in its favor, even as other dairy categories have weathered ups and downs.
Tasty and versatile, cheese has long been a favorite food and ingredient of U.S. consumers. But recent sales data suggest the cheese segment has been struggling a bit, at least at retail. Dollar sales within the retail processed cheese category fell 3.7% to $2.8 billion during the 52 weeks ending Jan. 27, 2019, according to data from Chicago-based market research firm IRI. Unit sales declined by 4.1%.
Although its growth at retail has slowed down in recent years, the natural cheese category is still gaining yardage. Dollar sales in the total category rose 1% to $12.9 billion during the 52 weeks ending Aug. 12, 2018, data from Chicago-based market research firm IRI show. Unit sales increased 1.5%.
When it comes to cheese trends with staying power for 2018, think all natural, artisanal and organic. Those are the top three cheese-related trends, according to Dairy Foods' 2018 Cheese Outlook Study.
Dairy Foods spoke with two artisan cheese companies from opposite sides of the country about what’s trending in their category, what their most popular cheese flavors are and more.
Rogue Creamery is an organic artisan cheesemaker from Central Point, Ore., that specializes in producing blue cheese, cheddars and more. Websterville, Vt.-based Vermont Creamery is an artisan cheese company that specializes in fresh and aged goat cheeses, and fresh cow cheeses.