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Can't Find Cottage Cheese at the Store? Here's Why
Newser • • business
Key Points:
- Cottage cheese sales in the US have surged to over $2 billion in 2025, marking an 82% increase since late 2022, driven by its popularity on TikTok as a high-protein food ingredient.
- Dairy manufacturers were unprepared for the sudden spike in demand, leading to widespread shortages on store shelves.
- Dairy cooperatives like Upstate Niagara and Westby Cooperative are investing heavily to ramp up production, with Upstate Niagara committing $275 million to expand high-protein output.
- Popular brand Good Culture struggles to meet demand despite rapid growth and a $500 million acquisition by private equity firm L Catterton, fueling consumer concerns about shortages and recipe changes, which the company denies.
- The cottage cheese shortage highlights the impact of social media trends, protein-focused diets, and private equity involvement on the dairy industry.
