Snacking Is the New “Big Cheese”

Marketers are aggressively trying to spur and meet demand for what many consumers look for in cheese: dairy goodness, indulgence, and new flavor experiences. Flavors continue to be bolder, more diverse (both sweet and savory), and more artisanal. The range of specialty products keeps expanding, and consumers seek out authenticity as a sign of higher quality.  Cheese: U.S. Market Trends and Opportunities, a report by Packaged Facts, reveals that at the same time, consumers continue to demand convenience, so cheese manufacturers are introducing products and packaging that are easy to open and reseal, capitalizing on the snacking and on-the-go eating trends with a slew of new products in special cuts, sizes, and packs.

Natural shredded, sliced, and string cheese all experienced significant increased in consumption from 2008 to 2018. In keeping with the demand for convenience, more than 30% of households ate shredded and sliced cheese in 2018. Conversely, the more traditional wedge/chunk cheese formats were eaten by 38% of households in 2018, down from 42% in 2007, reflecting shifting consumer preferences in the U.S. cheese market.

-- by Kate Shaffer