Is there a Friendship Cottage Cheese Shortage In 2025?

Cottage cheese, formed from milk curds, is popular in health-conscious diets due to its high protein and low fat content. TikTok and Instagram have revived it, especially among Gen Z and Millennials. Cottage cheese consumption has increased due to influencers using it in sweets and savoury meals. Friendship Dairies may face shortages because to this sales boom, which has strained the supply system.

Friendship Dairies, a century-old US cottage cheese maker, is a major player. The brand makes whipped, low-fat, and California-style cottage cheese and is known for quality and nutrition. Cottage cheese’s history, social media’s influence, market expansion, and Friendship Dairies’ possible impact, including a scarcity, are covered in this research.

Historical Perspective: Cottage Cheese and Friendship Dairies

Cottage cheese has been a dietary staple for centuries, often consumed as a standalone snack or used in baking and cooking. Its mild, creamy flavor and slightly grainy texture make it versatile for salads, sandwiches, and desserts. Friendship Dairies, a brand with a history stretching back over 100 years, has grown into a leading producer of cultured and pasteurized dairy products, emphasizing quality and nutrition. Their long-standing expertise positions them as a trusted name in the industry.

In 2017, Friendship Dairies adapted to consumer preferences by evolving its cottage cheese recipe, removing ingredients like carrageenan and locust bean gums while preserving taste and texture, as detailed in a saputo case study. This flexibility has helped them maintain a strong presence, with products available at major retailers such as Whole Foods, ShopRite, and Wegmans.

The Social Media Surge: Reviving Cottage Cheese

Social media, especially TikTok and Instagram, has helped cottage cheese regain popularity by featuring creative dishes such flatbreads and ice creams. This tendency has increased per-capita consumption by 4.25% annually for two and a half to three years. Sales have increased 40% in the UK due to social media and high-protein meal demand, as reported by the guardian. In the US, production rose by 11% in 2024 following a 10% increase in 2023, fueled by this viral popularity, per the lancaster farming report.

Market Growth and Statistics

The cottage cheese market is thriving, reflecting its renewed appeal. Research from cognitive market research indicates that the global market, valued at USD 37.03 billion in 2023, is projected to reach USD 139.21 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 6.0% from 2024 to 2031, driven by health-conscious trends. In the US, Circana data cited by dairy reporter shows a 13.5% volume increase and a 16% price rise in the year to May 19, 2024, signaling robust demand.

This growth spans generations, with Boomers, retirees, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z all contributing, and household penetration expected to rise in the single digits. Innovations like flavored or reduced-fat options further fuel this expansion.

Evidence of Friendship Cottage Cheese Shortage

While Friendship Dairies has not officially confirmed a shortage, consumer reports suggest availability issues. For example, a Reddit user in Albany lamented the difficulty of finding Friendship whipped cottage cheese after a local ShopRite closed, as shared in a november 2023 discussion. Another user, in a march 2023 reddit post, noted challenges locating California-style cottage cheese outside NYC, hinting at regional distribution gaps.

In Canada, broader cottage cheese shortages have been reported, with citynews vancouver detailing supply chain disruptions in the Lower Mainland as of August 2024. Although Friendship Dairies’ faq page focuses on consumption guidelines rather than supply issues, the market’s rapid growth and consumer anecdotes suggest potential temporary shortages, especially in high-demand regions.

Consumer Impact and Alternatives

For those facing difficulty finding Friendship cottage cheese, alternatives like Good Culture or Organic Valley can be purchased on amazon. Additionally, instacart offers same-day delivery for 21 Friendship products, helping meet demand. Consumers are encouraged to check multiple stores, with availability varying by location.

Future Outlook

Cottage cheese, especially Friendship Dairies, is predicted to expand in the high single digits through 2025. Despite short-term supply issues, production and distribution modifications may reduce shortages. The brand’s lengthy history and versatility, as shown in their 2017 recipe change, equip them to traverse this trend and ensure consumer availability.

Cottage Cheese Market Growth Projections

(Source: cognitive market research)

Retailer Availability for Friendship Dairies

(Source: friendship dairies find us)