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Industry Reports

Cheese: US Market Trends & Opportunities, 2nd Edition

This report combines Packaged Facts’ extensive monitoring of the food and beverage market with proprietary surveys, and evaluates current trends and future directions for marketing and retailing, along with consumer patterns during the pandemic and inflation area and across the broader food and beverage market.

Cheese: US Market Trends & Opportunities, 2nd Edition cover

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Report Overview

Need to understand current trends and in which direction the market is going?

  • Packaged Facts will help you understand consumer preferences regarding cheese types, get to know industry leaders, their market share and more. 

Cheese: US Market Trends & Opportunities is the go-to source for a complete understanding of U.S. consumer trends regarding cheese. CheeseThis report combines Packaged Facts’ extensive monitoring of the food and beverage market with proprietary surveys, and evaluates current trends and future directions for marketing and retailing, along with consumer patterns during the pandemic and inflation area and across the broader food and beverage market.

See the blog 3 Top Trends Impacting Cheese Sales
Cheese retail sales were growing steadily before the pandemic, but volume and dollar sales spiked significantly in 2020 as consumers were eating and cooking more at home. Since then, sales have remained high. In 2022, price inflation had a particularly strong effect on sales, with many consumers buying lower-priced private label cheeses to save money.

 

Dollar sales have benefited from price increases and premiumization as consumers bought higher-priced premium cheeses, driven by interest in natural products, those with unique flavor profiles or international origins, and the popularity of cheese boards or charcuterie boards that often feature exotic and high-end cheeses.

Snacking will continue to be an important trend supporting cheese sales. Packaged Facts’ May 2023 National Online Consumer Survey found that 52% of respondents report cheese is one of their preferred types of snack. Cheese is also frequently paired with other popular snack foods such as crackers, fresh fruits and vegetables.

With a focus on “what’s next” and current consumer trends, Cheese: US Market Trends & Opportunities is packed with insights about consumer trends, behavior, and motivations to help food producers, retailers, packaging companies, employers, and investors gauge consumer perspectives and find areas for growth in a competitive market.

Cheese: US Market Trends & Opportunities delivers actionable predictions and recommendations designed to guide producers, retailers, and investors in making business decisions by providing data and insights about consumer behavior and what consumers think about cheese.

Scope

This Packaged Facts report analyzes the dynamics of the current landscape of the natural cheese retail market. Consumer demographics, perceptions, motivations, attitudes, and behavior pertaining to food, diet, health, sustainability, and product packaging are taken into account; the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on consumers are also analyzed in a broad sense, as well as in the context of cheese.

This report covers retail sales of dairy cheese in both value (US dollars) and volume (pounds). Dairy cheese is made with milk from cows, sheep, goats, buffalo, and other mammals. Cheese value and volume sales are both segmented by the following product forms:

  • Chunks

  • Cream & Neufchâtel

  • Crumbled

  • Cubes

  • Refrigerated Grated

  • Ricotta

  • Shelf-stable Grated

  • Shredded

  • Slices

  • String/Stick

  • All other forms

Retail sales in this report are defined as sales of cheese from venues such as:

  • Grocery stores, supermarkets, and discount grocers (e.g., Kroger, Safeway, ALDI)

  • Mass merchandisers (e.g., Walmart, Target, Meijer) and warehouse clubs (e.g., Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s)

  • Convenience stores (e.g., Pilot/Flying J, Circle K, 7-Eleven) and dollar stores (e.g., Dollar General, Family Dollar)

  • Other retailers, such specialty cheese shops, co-ops, farmers markets, and cheese clubs/curators

  • All online outlets, including online-based grocers (e.g., Amazon, Thrive Market, FreshDirect), third-party pack-and-deliver companies that use their own workforces to purchase groceries at various stores and deliver them to customers (e.g., Instacart), brands that sell their own food products direct-to-consumer via their websites, and online sales from websites or apps of retailers in the previous categories

Additionally, this report provides estimates of dairy product shipments. Dairy product shipments in nominal and real dollars are segmented by product:

  • Butter

  • Cheese

  • Dry, Condensed, and Evaporated Dairy Products

  • Fluid Milk

  • Ice Cream and Frozen Desserts

Cheese production in pounds is also provided and segmented by product category:

  • American

  • Cream and Neufchâtel

  • Italian

  • Other

The report has dozens of tables showcasing numerical survey data on consumer demographics and psychographics and numerous marketing photographs. This report goes in-depth on COVID-19 and inflation trends that have affected the food and beverage market.

Historical value and volume numbers for the retail cheese market are provided from 2017 through 2022. Expected sales are provided for 2023, and market forecasts are provided from 2024 through 2028.

Additionally, dairy product shipments are provided from 2018 to 2022, with expected shipments provided for 2023 and projected shipments for 2028 and 2033.

Cheese production numbers are also provided for 2018 through 2022, expected production is provided for 2023, and forecasts are provided for 2028 and 2033.

The reasons for and implications of shifts in consumer perception and behavior are analyzed in the context of future market opportunities.

Additionally, Cheese: US Market Trends & Opportunities has dozens of tables highlighting numerical survey data on household product usage and consumer demographics and psychographics as well as numerous marketing photographs. This report goes in-depth on COVID-19 and inflation trends that have affected the food and beverage market.

Report Methodology

The information contained in Cheese: US Market Trends & Opportunities was developed from primary and secondary research sources. Primary research includes interviews with food and beverage market experts; participation in and attendance at food industry events; and extensive internet canvassing.

Primary research also includes national online consumer polls of U.S. adult consumers (age 18+) conducted on an ongoing basis by Packaged Facts to analyze attitudes of consumers and their relevant food and beverage preferences.

Survey data from MRI-Simmons are used to analyze the demographics and psychographics of consumers and household cheese usage trends.

Supplementing Packaged Facts’ exclusive surveys are analysis of the 2022 and 2023 Food & Health Surveys conducted by the International Food Information Council, which analyze consumer food purchase decisions, diet and lifestyle choices, snacking activity, and perception of health benefits in foods.

  • Executive Summary
    • Recent Trends in Cheese Sales
    • Health and Diet Trends Affecting the Cheese Market
    • Key Consumer Trends
    • Scope
  • Recent Historical Trends from the Pandemic to the Inflation Era
    • Highlights
    • First Time Use of Online Grocery Shopping and Restaurant Ordering Methods In 2020
      • Table | Coronavirus Food Ordering Habits: “Because of the coronavirus, I have for the first time used…”, 202
    • Boosted Online Grocery Shopping Activity
      • Activity Spiked in 2020 during the Early Part of the Pandemic
        • Table | Coronavirus Food Purchase Habits: “Because of the coronavirus, I am…”, 2020 – 2021 (percent of consu
      • Many Consumers Continued Ordering More Groceries Online in 2021 and 2022
      • Frequency of Grocery Shopping in 2023: In-Person vs. Online
    • Many Consumers Are Still Holding off on Dining Out
    • Increased Use of Food Carryout and Delivery and Convenience Food Options
    • Snacking and Healthy Eating Habits
      • Trends from 2021-2022
        • Table | Coronavirus Eating Habits: “Because of the coronavirus, I am eating more…”, 2021 (percent of consume
      • Changes to Snacking Habits in 2023
        • Table | Current Snacking Activity Compared to Pre-Pandemic Levels, 2023 (percent of consumers)
    • Consumption of Plant-Based Meat and Dairy Alternatives
    • Concerns about COVID-19 Exposure Have Remained
      • Most Still Consider the Pandemic a Health Threat Personally or to Family/Friends
        • Table | Coronavirus Health Concerns: “I am concerned about the…”, 2020 – 2023 (percent of consumers)
      • Concerns about COVID-19 Variants
      • Concerns about Future Potential Pandemic Outbreaks
        • Table | Future Potential Pandemic Outbreak Concerns, 2023 (percent of consumers)
    • Negative Personal Effects of the Pandemic
      • Negative Effects Reported in 2020 and 2021
        • Table | Coronavirus Concerns: “The coronavirus has negatively affected my…”, 2020 – 2021 (percent of consume
      • Continuing Mental and Physical Health Effects
      • Stress Levels and Impact on Food/Beverage Consumption
    • Near Term Effects on Work Habits
      • Changes to Work Patterns Have Continued in 2021 and 2022
    • Rising Prices: From Supply Chain Crunches to Inflation
      • Many Consumers Are Concerned about Inflation and Rising Food Prices
        • Table | Consumer Concerns about Rising Food Prices, 2021 – 2023 (percent of consumers)
      • The Vast Majority of Consumers Have Noticed the Rising Cost of Food, and Many Are Changing Their Pur
      • Consumers Find Price More Important for Food Purchase Decisions in 2023
      • Cutting Back on Household Expenses
        • Table | Consumers Cutting Back on Household Expenses in the Last 12 Months, 2022 (percent of consumers)
        • Table | Types of Household Expenses Cut Back on in the Last 12 Months, 2022 (percent of consumers)
        • Table | Consumer Spending on “Extras”, 2023 (percent of consumers)
    • Food Shortages: Supply Chains Challenge Brands and Products
      • Concerns about Food Shortages
        • Table | Consumer Concerns about Food Shortages, 2021 – 2022 (percent of consumers)
      • Stockpiling of Food and Beverage Items
        • Table | Consumer Stockpiling of Food and Beverage Products, 2022 (percent of consumers)
    • Increasing Dairy Prices and Supply Shortages Have Made Plant- Based Versions More Attractive to Some
  • Overview and Market Trends
    • Food Allergies, Intolerances/Sensitivities, and Other Dietary Restrictions
      • Prevalence
      • Rising Rates of Reported Food Allergies and Lactose Intolerance over Time
        • Table | Food Allergies and Lactose Intolerance, 2018 – 2023 (percent of consumers)
      • Food Preferences and Allergies/Intolerances
        • Table | Foods that Consumers Generally Eat, Generally Don’t Like, or Are Allergic or Intolerant/Sensitive to
      • Purchases of Foods with Allergy-Friendly Labels
      • Many Consumers Purchase Allergy-Friendly Foods for Reasons Other Than an Allergy or Intolerance
    • Plant-Based and Plant-Forward Trends
      • Definitions
      • Plant-Based Eating and Sustainability Are Buzzwords Important to the General Public
      • More Than One-Fourth of Consumers Claim to Primarily Follow a Flexitarian Diet in 2023
      • Per Capita Consumption of Dairy Products Has Fallen Significantly Over the Past Two Decades, Particu
      • A “Reducetarian” Mindset is Growing Among Consumers Who Eat Dairy or Eggs (and It’s Not Just Among F
    • Animal-Free (or Cruelty-Free, Cultivated, Lab-Cultured) Dairy Products
      • Definition
      • Product Releases and Development
      • Openness to Animal-Free Dairy Products
      • Animal-Free Dairy Ideal for Those with Lactose Intolerance and Some Forms of Milk Allergies
      • Challenges and Opportunities for Commercialization and Consumer Adoption
    • Animal Welfare and Environmental Issues Surrounding Dairy
      • More Consumers Want Animals Raised for Food to Be Treated Humanely
      • Changes to USDA Organic Livestock Requirements
      • “Humane” Claims May Signify No Meaningful Difference in Production Methods
      • Dairy Agriculture and Environmental Issues Intertwined
    • Snacking Trends
      • Most Consumers Snack Daily
      • Preferred Types of Snacks
        • Table | Preferred Types of Snacks, 2023 (percent of consumers)
      • “Snackification” of Meals
      • When Consumers Snack Throughout the Day
      • What Consumers Snack on in the Morning and the Evening/Late Night
      • Product Examples
    • “Better-for-You” Trends
      • Clean Label
      • Organic and Non-GMO
      • Grass-Fed
      • Raw
      • Reduced Fat/Fat-Free/Low Sodium (Diet Cheeses)
    • The COVID-19 Pandemic Was the Jumpstart the Online Grocery Market Needed
      • Impact on the Cheese Market
    • Nutrients and Ingredients Sought by Consumers
      • Low-Carb/High-Protein and Keto Diets Are Leading Many People To Seek Out Cheese for Protein and Fat
      • Functional Health Benefits
      • Consumers Continue to Seek Out Nutrient Sources in Foods
      • Sources Used to Consume Nutrients
      • Consumers Report Increasing Consumption of Protein from Poultry and Whole-Plant Sources
      • Avoiding or Limiting Sugar Intake
      • Reasons for Avoiding or Limiting Sugar Intake
      • Avoiding or Limiting Sodium
      • Information Consumers Seek Out on Nutrition Facts Labels
    • Mindful and Intuitive Eating
      • Definition
      • Dieting Activity
      • Frequency of Feelings and Behaviors Associated with Mindful and Intuitive Eating Patterns
      • Consumer Mindfulness Index
    • Concerns about Food Waste
      • Most Consumers Are Concerned about Food Waste
        • Table | Levels of Concern about the Environment and Sources of Food Waste, 2022 (percent of consumers)
      • How Consumers Reduce Food Waste
      • Opportunities for Cheese
  • Cheese Market Size and Forecast
    • Highlights
    • Scope
    • Retail Sales Outlook
      • Historical Trends
        • Table | US Natural and Specialty Cheese Market Retail Sales, 2017 - 2022, 2023E (in millions of dollars, mil
      • Market Forecast
        • Table | US Natural and Specialty Cheese Market Retail Sales, 2023E, 2024P - 2028P (in millions of dollars, m
      • Sales by Form
        • Table | US Natural and Specialty Cheese Market Retail Dollar Sales by Form, 2017 - 2022, 2023E (millions of
        • Table | US Natural and Specialty Cheese Market Retail Volume Sales by Form, 2017 - 2022, 2023E (millions of
        • Table | US Natural and Specialty Cheese Market Retail Dollar Sales by Form, 2023E, 2024P - 2028P (millions o
        • Table | US Natural and Specialty Cheese Market Retail Volume Sales by Form, 2023E, 2024P - 2028P (millions o
    • Production Outlook
      • Dairy Product Shipments
        • Table | US Dairy Product Shipments by Type, 2018 - 2022, 2023E, 2028P, 2033P (billion dollars at the manufac
        • Table | US Dairy Product Shipments, 2018 - 2022, 2023E, 2028P, 2033P (billion 2012 dollars at the manufactur
      • Cheese Production
        • Table | US Cheese Production by Type, 2018 - 2022, 2023E, 2028P, 2033P (million pounds)
    • Key Opportunities for Cheese
    • Private Label Surges Due to Inflation
      • Table | Selected Private Label Department Dollar Sales Growth, 2021 – 2022 (percent change)
      • Table | Selected Food Consumption Rates for Store Brands, 2013 – 2023 (percent of US households that have us
    • Competitive and Related Products
      • Plant-Based Cheese
      • Animal-Free (Cruelty-Free, Lab-Created, Cultivated) Cheese
      • Salty Snacks
        • Table | Household Consumption Rates for Salty Snacks in the Last 6 Months, 2013 – 2023 (percent of household
  • Cheese Consumption Trends
    • Highlights
    • Natural or Imported Cheese
      • Period of Use and Number of Pounds Used
        • Table | Household Consumption Rates for Cheese (Natural/Imported or Organic) in the Last 6 Months, or in the
      • Brands Used
        • Table | Household Consumption Rates for Natural or Imported Cheese in the Last 6 Months by Brand, 2013 – 202
        • Table | Household Consumption Rates for Natural or Imported Cheese in the Last 6 Months by Brand (continued)
      • Diet Types Used
        • Table | Household Consumption Rates for Natural or Imported Cheese in the Last 6 Months by Diet Type, 2013 –
      • Kinds Used
        • Table | Household Consumption Rates for Natural or Imported Cheese in the Last 6 Months by Kind, 2013 – 2023
        • Table | Household Consumption Rates for Natural or Imported Cheese in the Last 6 Months by Kind (continued),
      • Forms Used
        • Table | Household Consumption Rates for Natural or Imported Cheese in the Last 6 Months by Form, 2013 – 2023
    • Cream Cheese
      • Period of Use and Number of Packages Used
        • Table | Household Consumption Rates for Cream Cheese in the Last 6 Months, or in the Last 30 Days by Number
      • Brands Used
        • Table | Household Consumption Rates for Cream Cheese in the Last 6 Months by Brands Used, 2013 – 2023 (perce
      • Flavors Used
        • Table | Household Consumption Rates for Cream Cheese in the Last 6 Months by Flavors Used, 2013 – 2023 (perc
      • Diet Types Used
        • Table | Household Consumption Rates for Cream Cheese in the Last 6 Months by Diet Types Used, 2013 – 2023 (p
      • Forms Used
        • Table | Household Consumption Rates for Cream Cheese in the Last 6 Months by Forms Used, 2013 – 2023 (percen
    • Grated Cheese
      • Period of Use and Number of Containers Used
        • Table | Household Consumption Rates for Grated Cheese in the Last 6 Months, or in the Last 30 Days by Number
      • Brands Used
        • Table | Household Consumption Rates for Grated Cheese in the Last 6 Months by Brands Used, 2013 – 2023 (perc
      • Packaging Types Used
        • Table | Household Consumption Rates for Grated Cheese in the Last 6 Months by Packaging Types Used, 2013 – 2
      • Kinds Used
        • Table | Household Consumption Rates for Grated Cheese in the Last 6 Months by Kinds Used, 2013 – 2023 (perce
    • Lunch or Snack Combinations/Kits that Contain Cheese
      • Period of Use and Number of Packages Used
        • Table | Household Consumption Rates for Lunch or Snack Combinations/Kits that Contain Cheese in the Last 6 M
      • Brands Used
        • Table | Household Consumption Rates for Lunch or Snack Combinations/Kits that Contain Cheese in the Last 6 M
  • Consumer Demographics
    • Highlights
    • Trends by Gender
      • Table | Household Use of Cheese in the Last 6 Months by Gender of Respondent, 2023 (percent of consumers)
    • Trends by Age Bracket and Generation
      • Table | Household Use of Cheese in the Last 6 Months by Age Bracket of Respondent, 2023 (percent of consumer
      • Table | Household Use of Cheese in the Last 6 Months by Generation of Respondent, 2023 (percent of consumers
    • Patterns Based on Household Income
      • Table | Household Use of Cheese in the Last 6 Months by Household Income Bracket, 2023 (percent of consumers
    • Regional Differences
      • Table | Household Use of Cheese in the Last 6 Months by US Region, 2023 (percent of consumers)
    • Urban, Suburban, and Rural Consumers
      • Table | Household Use of Cheese in the Last 6 Months by County Size, 2023 (percent of consumers)
    • Educational Attainment
      • Table | Household Use of Cheese in the Last 6 Months by Educational Attainment of Respondent, 2023 (percent
    • Presence of Children in the Household
      • Table | Household Use of Cheese in the Last 6 Months by Presence of Children in Household, 2023 (percent of
    • Race/Ethnicity
      • Table | Household Use of Cheese in the Last 6 Months by Race/Ethnicity of Respondent, 2023 (percent of consu
    • Plant-Forward Consumers
      • Table | Household Use of Cheese in the Last 6 Months by Primary Diet/Eating Philosophy of Respondent, 2023 (
    • Online Grocery Shoppers (Food Delivery and Pickup Services)
      • Table | Household Use of Cheese in the Last 6 Months by Respondent Use of Online Grocery Services, 2023 (per
  • Consumer Psychographics
    • Highlights
    • Special Eating Restrictions or Preferences
      • Table | Extent to Which Consumers Report Following a Special Diet, 2023 (percent of consumers)
      • Table | Special Diets Followed by Consumers, 2023 (percent of consumers)
    • Levels of Stress, Anxiety, Tiredness, and Loneliness
      • Table | “Please rate how you currently feel in these areas (stress, tiredness, anxiety, loneliness), compare
    • Attitudes on Food and Nutrition
      • Nutrition and Healthy Foods
        • Table | Consumer Attitudes on Healthy Foods and Nutrition, 2023 (percent of consumers)
      • Cooking and Convenience
        • Table | Consumer Attitudes on Cooking and Convenience, 2023 (percent of consumers who agree completely)
      • Premium Food Preferences and Habits
        • Table | Consumer Attitudes on Premium Food Designations, 2023 (percent of consumers who agree completely)
      • Snacking and Indulgence
        • Table | Consumer Attitudes on Snacking and Indulgence, 2023 (percent of consumers who agree completely)
    • Consumer Insights on Sustainability and Packaging
      • Sustainability Issues
        • Table | Consumer Opinions on Sustainability, 2023 (percent of consumers)
      • Access to and Use of Curbside/Residential and Drop Off Recycling Services
        • Table | Consumer Access to Curbside/Residential and Drop Off Recycling Services, 2023 (percent of consumers)
        • Table | Consumer Frequency of Using Curbside/Residential and Drop Off Recycling Services, 2023 (percent of c
      • Opinions on Packaging
        • Table | Consumer Opinions on Packaging, 2023 (percent of consumers)
        • Table | Consumer Opinions on Food Packaging, 2023 (percent of consumers)
      • Sustainable/Eco-Friendly Packaging Types Consumers Look for
        • Table | “Do you especially look for any of the following in terms of “sustainability” or “eco-friendly” pack
      • Packaging Types Considered Eco-Friendly
        • Table | “Which packaging types would you consider eco-friendly?”, 2023 (percent of consumers)
      • Priorities Placed on Food Packaging Features
        • Table | Priorities Placed on Packaging Features for Food Products, 2023 (percent of consumers)
How have consumers concerns been impacted by rising/inflated food prices?

Many consumers are worried about rising/inflated prices in several product categories, but fears are highest over food. In Packaged Facts’ October-November 2021 survey, 56% of respondents reported being very concerned about rising food prices.

What is snackification?

Snacking activity is up in recent years, especially among young consumers. The “snackification” of meals is especially relevant, as some people are foregoing traditional meals, reducing meal portions in favor of snacks, or eating foods more traditionally seen as snack foods as a meal.

What is the size of the retail market for cheese in the US?

The US retail cheese market is $25.1 billion and is projected to grow at an average rate of 2.0% annually through 2028.

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