Arla Falkenberg is Europe’s largest producer of cottage cheese. This year, total production is expected to reach 22,500 tons—1,500 tons more than the previous record.

Demand for KESO© and cottage cheese is at an all-time high, both nationally and globally, according to Arla Falkenberg, where all of Arla’s cottage cheese—over 60 varieties, including the popular Swedish brand KESO©—is produced. The Falkenberg facility has risen to the challenge, surpassing its previous production record from 2021 by exceeding 21,000 tons of cottage cheese in November.

Cottage cheese has gained significant popularity in recent years. According to Circana, it was the third fastest-growing segment in the dairy category in 2023, and the trend has continued into 2024. Despite operating at full capacity 24/7, Falkenberg’s machines and employees have occasionally struggled to keep store shelves stocked with KESO©.

“The record clearly demonstrates that we’ve done everything we can to meet consumers’ appetite for KESO©. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together here in Falkenberg. However, if demand continues to grow, we’ll need more capacity, which we’re currently exploring,” says dairy manager Christian Svensson in a press release.

At the dairy, they attribute the trend to an increased focus on fitness and health, particularly among young people, driven in part by social media. On TikTok, the hashtag #cottagecheese has garnered an impressive two billion views over the past year.

Read the full press release HERE

Photo: Arla