(Ricotta: Dal Trend TikTok Alla Tavola)

Today’s Topic… #cottagecheese TikTok Trends

Have you ever scrolled through TikTok and suddenly found yourself craving something you’ve never tried before? There’s one food in particular that seems to be having its moment (again!), and that’s cottage cheese. 

What began as a simple dairy staple has exploded into a viral sensation, with TikTokers reinventing cottage cheese in creative ways—from toast toppings to desserts and more recently, flatbreads. This newfound popularity, driven by its high protein content and versatility, has not only sparked a wave of new recipes (I’ve linked to a few below under ‘Consumer Shifts’) but has influenced product demand and pricing. 

TikTok’s influence is undeniable. Even cottage cheese, once an overlooked product, has become a must-have thanks to #cottagecheese recipes going viral on the platform. This showcases the platform’s ability to reshape consumer behavior and impact market dynamics. Let’s explore how these trends can drive such significant changes.

→ Increased Demand and Sales:

• The #cottagecheese hashtag has garnered close to 50,000 posts and approximately 470 million views on TikTok (there’s interest!)
• Sales surged by 15% for the year ending in May 2023, with production increasing by 11% in 2024.
• According to Circana data, cottage cheese category has seen brand growth at 11.7% and private label growth at 5.7% in 2023.
• Brands like Daisy and Good Culture were driving category growth; Good Culture had projected 35% growth, and instead achieved 80% due to the TikTok trend

→ Pricing Impact:

• Due to high demand, cottage cheese prices have increased by 16% as of May 2024, even as overall dairy prices started to moderate.
• I’ve noticed a recent price increase in the Nordica cottage cheese brand I’ve been buying, with prices rising from around $3.99-$4.49 to $5.49-$7.49, depending on the store.

→ Consumer Shifts & Social Influence:

• The trend has led to creative recipe innovations, i.e. cottage cheese being used in pancakes, cheesecakes, ice cream (OMG! this brownie ice-cream is bussin’!), pasta sauce, and more recently, flatbreads.
• The product’s versatility and high protein content have made it especially appealing to health-conscious consumers.
• The trend has sparked increased engagement from influencers, health coaches, and nutrition experts, further fuelling the popularity.

The TikTok #cottagecheese trend has done more than revive a forgotten dairy product; it has reshaped its role in today’s diet. This viral sensation has driven up demand, impacted sales, influenced pricing, and has become a a dietary staple for many—demonstrating how social media’s influence goes far beyond temporary fame.

This craze highlights TikTok’s power to disrupt traditional markets. A viral trend can skyrocket sales, spark innovation, and challenge supply chains. For brands and retailers, staying competitive means not just following trends but anticipating how these digital movements will shape consumer behaviour. By leveraging platforms like TikTok, businesses can stay ahead of the curve and lead the next big trend.

Would love to know what cottage cheese recipes you’ve tried or will now be trying?

Sources (see links below): 

→ tiktok.com

→ reddit.com

→ thedairyreporter.com

→ marketplace.org

→ wsj.com

Tool Spotlight: Video Script Generator

This AI tool (built on ChatGPT) creates TikTok scripts (aims for 30 seconds in length) on various topics – from educational (“Why do French dogs bark?”) to personal (“Japan trip highlights”). This will help to streamline your content creation, generating dynamic content scripts quickly and easily. It does require a Plus account though; simply enter the URL in your browser. (Or, just click on the hyperlink provided.)