All data included in the following category breakdown and subsequent charts were provided by Circana, a Chicago-based market research firm, and cover the previous 52-week period ending July 14, 2024.

Cheese consumption in the United States set an all-time high in 2022, reaching nearly 42 lbs per person, a half-pound per-person increase from the previous year, according to the US Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. 

For comparison, the average American consumed 32.2 lbs of cheese in 2000 and 21.9 lbs in 1980.

Basic dairy department cheeses, such as American, cheddar and mozzarella, in shred, chunk and slice format, remain the leaders in this space, but it’s the specialty and snacking items that keep shoppers interested. And most recently it’s flavor innovation that is driving adventurous shoppers to purchase more cheese.

The “swicy” trend has made it to the cheese category. Swicy is a combination of sweet and spicy, also known as sweet heat, and is often exemplified through the fusion of chiles with citrus. Another swicy pairing is heat with honey, which is showcased in new Montchevre Mike’s Hot Honey Goat Cheese from Saputo USA, Lincolnshire, Ill.

“The combo of this beloved sweet heat paired with our delicious goat cheese is unmatched,” said Jenny Englert, marketing director at Saputo.

Mike Kurtz, founder of Mike’s Hot Honey, New York, added, “We believe everything is better with the perfect kick of sweet heat. Goat cheese has always been one of my favorite foods to drizzle Mike’s Hot Honey on, so I’m excited for this collaboration to hit grocery shelves later.”

Photo: Hayley Hyer/Sosland Publishing Co.

That swicy profile can be found in a number of the globally inspired flavored gouda cheeses imported from Holland by Dutch Cheese Makers, Garden City, NY. Wheels of Artikaas Youngsters cheese come in chimichurri, gochujang, jalapeno, mesquite barbecue, Peppadew and togarashi varieties. The wheels are designed for random-weight cutting in retail cheese departments.

Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth, Wis., is exploring worldly flavors with its new Antonella Artisan Cheese Collection of semi-soft cheeses. The logs of cheese are hand-rolled in dried, flavorful ingredients, including herbs, vegetables and even cured meat. Varieties are Garden Vegetable & Sweet Basil, Pepperoni & Marinara, and Roasted Garlic, Tomato & Basil.

Heartisan Foods, Barron, Wis., is growing its Red Apple Cheese brand with numerous shapes, formats and flavors, including boxes with a flight of three different 8 oz cheeses. The spicy flight contains three goudas: honey sriracha, mango habanero and smoked spicy. The brand is also entering the cheese curd space with classic, garlic dill and bloody Mary flavors.

Non-cheese dairy brands want in on this dynamic sector. Prairie Farms, Edwardsville, Ill., for example, is adding a range of cheeses to its portfolio, including cheese curds, natural cheese spreads, mini wheels and a classic cheese sampler. 

Some cheese brands that have been neglected in the past are being revitalized. Lactalis Heritage Dairy, a subsidiary of Lactalis USA, Buffalo, NY, acquired the Kraft Natural Cheese business in 2021. After a few years of integrating the brand into its portfolio, Lactalis is now aggressively bringing new life to the business. 

New Kraft Signature Shreds, which come in 8 oz resealable bags of three blends — cheddar, Mexican and mozzarella — are designed for making restaurant-quality meals at home. The blends all include a special, premium whole milk mozzarella specifically developed by Lactalis for use in restaurants. Now it’s available from the supermarket.

Lactalis has numerous other innovations in the works for the brand. Kraft Flavor Fusions is a trio of block cheeses that can add excitement to recipes and elevate snacking occasions. Varieties are Buffalo Ranch Monterey Jack, Garlic & Herb Cheddar, and Tomato Basil Monterey Jack.

Mozzarella remains one of America’s favorite cheeses, and producers continue to come up with new products in the category to entice grocery shoppers.

New from mozzarella specialist BelGioioso Cheese is a sliced Baking Fresh Mozzarella, which comes in a 1 lb log. It’s made with a lower moisture level, making it ideal for baking in pastas and on pizzas or panini, according to BelGioioso.

The company also recently introduced ciliegine balls in an olive oil marinade flavored with fresh basil and garlic.

Meanwhile, two longstanding mozzarella products from BelGioioso — Pearls, particularly the smaller sizes, and Sliced Fresh Mozzarella — remain staples in consumers’ refrigerators.

“People love the convenience and different options of pack sizes,” said BelGioioso’s Sofia Auricchio Krans. “As consumers were introduced to the caprese salad, fresh mozzarella became one of America’s favorite cheeses.”

Category innovations

Since acquiring the Athenos brand from Lactalis Group in 2021, Emmi Roth has been showcasing the versatility of this fresh white cheese. The brand’s most recent innovation is crumbled feta cheese dusted with Tajin chili lime seasoning. There’s also a whipped feta dip and spread format.

Bel Brands USA typically offers one new limited-time Boursin Gournay cheese every summer. Last year it was black truffle and sea salt. New for 2024 is rosemary and black garlic.

Paneer is a firm, no-melt, high-protein cheese that often substitutes for meat in vegetarian entrees of Indian cuisine. Karoun Dairies Inc., now offers a masala seasoned paneer to make it easier for home cooks to get creative.

Organic Valley’s new Flavor Favorites come in Italian Herb Mozzarella Shreds, Spicy Cheddar Shreds, Spicy Cheddar Slices and Smoky Cheddar Slices.

Source: Circana

| Image: Sosland Publishing Co.

Source: Circana

| Image: Sosland Publishing Co.