cheese sales | Dairy Foods

Mixed results for natural and processed cheese at retail

Both categories lost ground, but a number of subcategories bucked the downward trend.

Kathie Canning

March 23, 2022

Both categories lost ground, but a number of subcategories bucked the downward trend.

A slowdown in growth for retail cheese

Sales of natural cheese flattened, while processed cheese lost ground.

Kathie Canning

November 15, 2021

When we last covered the retail cheese segment in a Market Trends report — back in April of this year — the picture was very Gouda across the board.

‘Gouda’ news for retail cheese

Both natural and processed cheese posted double-digit dollar sales growth in the 52 weeks ending Jan. 24, 2021.

Kathie Canning

March 17, 2021

The past year saw reduced demand for cheese on the foodservice side, thanks to widespread pandemic-related restaurant closures and indoor dining bans. However, the picture was much brighter on the retail cheese side.

Cheese sales explode in retail channels

Both the natural and processed cheese categories saw double-digit dollar sales gains.

Kathie Canning

November 16, 2020

It has been a very, very good year for cheese, at least within the major retail channels. Dollar sales within the natural cheese category shot up 17.0% to $15,449.5 million during the 52 weeks ending Oct. 4, 2020, according to data from Chicago-based market research firm IRI.

2020 State of the Industry: Cheese is flying high

But the category also has had to contort around high retail demand and extreme losses in foodservice/commodity sales.

Anna Boisseau

October 29, 2020

Americans' love affair with cheese is defying gravity. According to Chicago-based market research firm IRI, over the 52 weeks ending Sept. 6, 2020, natural cheese retail sales were swinging high through the air.

Milk butter cheese photo courtesy of Edlong Dairy Technologies

Dairy’s strong bones are helping it weather the COVID-19 pandemic

Manufacturers were adopting cohorted teams, distancing, splitting shifts and adding sanitation even back in March.

John Umhoefer

September 22, 2020

Dairy never stops, and our manufacturers are often so busy executing that they miss the chance to reflect on how well they have performed.

Convenient cheese formats rule

Cheese processors also will find growth opportunity in snackable options and adventurous flavors.

Kathie Canning

May 11, 2020

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.

Newest IDDBA 'COVID-19 Impact' report details strong showing for dairy

Retail dairy sales were up 16.4% during the week of April 19 compared to the same week in 2019.

April 28, 2020

The International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA) announced the release of its latest “COVID-19 Impact” report.

Natural cheese is on a natural high

Natural cheese continues to grow at retail, while processed cheese struggles

Kathie Canning

April 3, 2020

It used to be that a grilled cheese sandwich called for American cheese. And a party demanded a processed cheese ball.

Natural cheese continue to climb

In the ongoing battle for sales, natural cheese continues to outshine processed cheese

Kathie Canning

December 5, 2019

The good news continues on the cheese front. According to Portland, Ore.-based Allied Market Research, the U.S. cheese market was valued at $32.3 billion in 2017, and is projected to reach $40.5 billion by 2025, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%.