Sales in the natural cheese category were up 7% last year, with shredded cheese outpacing the industry. But overall, unit sales were weak.
For the 52 weeks ended Jan. 22, the natural cheese category saw increases in dollar sales (7%), unit sales (0.6%) and an average price increase of 20 cents according to Chicago-based SymphonyIRI Group.
Shredded cheese leads the category with $2.8 billion in sales, a 10% increase from the previous period. Unit sales were up by almost 2%. In the segment, Philadelphia from Kraft Foods, Northfield, Ill., posted the largest percent increase in dollar sales – jumping 480% to $44.7 million. Others seeing increases in dollar sales were Borden (Dairy Farmers of America, Kansas City, Mo.) (21.5%); and Crystal Farms, Lake Mills, Wis. (13%). Private label was up 11% to $1.6 billion.