Those wondering whether the dairy industry’s recent surge in popularity will stick around need only examine cottage cheese sales for their answer.
Remember 2023? Pink dominated fashion thanks to “Barbiecore,” understated luxury was trending, Ozempic was making headlines as a promising new medication, and political analysts were preparing for another Trump-Biden showdown. That same year, Americans rediscovered their love for cottage cheese.
Driven by viral TikTok videos and embraced by younger consumers, cottage cheese became a cultural phenomenon that boosted sales following years of steady decline. Many questioned whether this resurgence would prove temporary – just another social media trend destined to disappear once influencers moved on to the next big thing.
The answer is clear: absolutely not.
Three years of sales data prove cottage cheese has evolved far beyond a fleeting internet sensation. After hitting rock bottom in 2022 with 534.6 million pints sold, sales climbed 9.4 percent in 2023 – an impressive initial spike. However, 2024 saw an even stronger 12.5 percent increase. Most remarkably, 2025 delivered another 14.3 percent jump, bringing total sales to 746.6 million pints.
Industry experts recognize this pattern as a genuine, sustainable trend that continues gaining speed. The question now becomes: how much higher can these numbers climb?
Government consumption data from the USDA supports this upward trajectory. These statistics, spanning from 1975 through 2024, reveal additional compelling insights. Per-person consumption reached its lowest point in 2022 at 1.91 pounds annually per American. The following two years showed steady growth, with 2024 reaching 2.37 pounds per person.
Here’s where things get particularly interesting. Overall dairy consumption has reached levels not seen since the 1950s. Butter consumption stands at its highest since the 1960s. Cottage cheese consumption, meanwhile, has climbed to its peak since 2009 – the year of Kanye West’s infamous Taylor Swift interruption, vampire entertainment dominance, and Barack Obama’s historic presidency. While 2009 seems recent, it represents significant room for continued expansion.
This relatively modest historical high suggests enormous growth potential. Back in 1976, when America celebrated its 200th birthday and “Disco Lady” ruled the charts, Americans consumed 4.63 pounds of cottage cheese per person annually – nearly double the 2024 figure.
Such statistics indicate substantial opportunity for expansion, especially as America approaches its 250th anniversary this year.
Future observers looking back at 2026 may not remember it as the cottage cheese era simply because consumption could reach much higher levels by then. However, those experiencing this revival firsthand are witnessing the comeback of a nutritious, protein-rich snack option.
All indicators point toward continued growth. The dairy industry simply needs to sustain current momentum and messaging strategies. Social media platforms, where this revival reportedly began, remain crucial for maintaining consumer engagement.
