US Natural Cheese Consumption Fell in 2024
Per capita consumption dipped to 39.9 pounds last year as economic pressures curbed out-of-home eating.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Organic Food
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After reaching a record high of 40.2 pounds in 2023, U.S. per capita natural cheese consumption decreased to 39.9 pounds in 2024. Inflationary pressures affecting food costs led to a reduction in out-of-home dining, contributing to the decline.
Why it matters
While overall consumption saw a slight retreat, the premium cheese market continues to expand as consumers increasingly seek out authentic global cuisines. Manufacturers are pivoting to meet these preferences by introducing bold flavors and convenient, on-the-go snacking formats.
U.S. per capita natural cheese consumption was 39.9 pounds in 2024, down from 40.2 pounds in 2023 but higher than the 39.6 pounds recorded in 2021. Organic Valley recently debuted individually wrapped cheese sticks containing 5 grams of protein per serving.
The players
Sargento
Based in Plymouth, Wisconsin, this company is a major producer of cheese products and has recently expanded its offerings with spicy sliced options.
Organic Valley
Located in LaFarge, Wisconsin, this cooperative focuses on organic dairy production and recently released high-protein, individually wrapped cheese snacks.
Dairy Farmers of America
Headquartered in Kansas City, Kansas, this national milk marketing cooperative has entered the snack market with its new line of Borden Dips.
The details
Industry leaders are adapting to shifting demand by launching new products like Sargento's Hot & Spicy Sliced Cheeses and Borden Dips from the Dairy Farmers of America. Companies are also moving shelf-stable products into refrigerated cases to better align with current retail and foodservice trends.
Timeline
In 2000, per capita consumption was 29.8 lbs.
In 2021, per capita consumption reached 39.6 lbs.
In 2023, per capita consumption hit a record high of 40.2 lbs.
In 2024, per capita consumption decreased to 39.9 lbs.
Culture Shift
The transition to convenient, on-the-go snack formats represents a departure from traditional bulk cheese consumption in favor of portable nutrition. This reflects a broader societal move toward snacking as a replacement for formal meals amid changing lifestyle demands.
Shoppers can expect to find a wider variety of spicy and premium cheese snacks in the refrigerated aisles of local grocery stores. These new formats are designed to simplify high-protein snacking, potentially reducing the need to portion out larger blocks of cheese at home.
The takeaway
Consumers are increasingly prioritizing convenience and intense flavor profiles when selecting dairy products. Adapting your shopping list to include these high-protein, on-the-go options can help simplify meal planning for busy schedules.
Further reading
For additional context on changing food habits, explore our Organic Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Supermarket Perimeter.
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