TikTok Trend Ignites Cottage Cheese Renaissance in UK Dairy Sector
A remarkable social media phenomenon is transforming the fortunes of a classic dairy product, with cottage cheese experiencing a dramatic resurgence in popularity. Graham's Family Dairy, a Scottish producer based in Fife, has reported that sales have doubled in recent years, a surge directly attributed to viral content on platforms like TikTok.
Multi-Million Pound Investment to Meet Soaring Demand
In response to what managing director Robert Graham describes as "staggering" demand, the company has completed a £3.5 million expansion at its Glenfield facility. This significant investment will boost cottage cheese production capacity by 50 percent and create 25 new local jobs. The move comes as the business struggles to keep pace with orders that have "literally gone into overdrive."
The cottage cheese segment at Graham's has now eclipsed its traditional milk business in scale, a surprising shift for a dairy originally built around liquid milk production. To put this growth into perspective, the company has sold an additional two million kilograms of cottage cheese in recent years.
Social Media Recipes Drive Global Appetite
The revival of this once-retro food item, which previously peaked in popularity during the 1970s and 80s, is being propelled by a wave of food influencers sharing innovative recipes online. On TikTok alone, videos featuring "cottage cheese breakfast rounds" have amassed 15.1 million views, while "cottage cheese edible cookie dough" content has attracted 8.7 million views.
This digital exposure has translated into tangible sales growth across the retail sector. Supermarket giant Tesco reports that demand for cottage cheese has tripled over the past two years, with buyer Elizabeth Tomkins confirming they are ordering "as much as we can get our hands on."
Export Opportunities and Traditional Methods Preserved
The trend has transcended national borders, with Graham's now exporting to distant markets including the Gulf States and Hong Kong. Despite the increased production demands, the company remains committed to its traditional manufacturing process.
"We still make our cottage cheese using a traditional open-vat process, which gives it a firmer curd and a more natural texture than some other products on the shelf," explained Mr. Graham. "This investment means we can keep up with that demand without changing what makes our product special."
The expansion will support increased output across Graham's full cottage cheese range, including natural, low-fat, and high-protein varieties. Industry data from The Grocer reveals the scale of this national trend, with monthly UK cottage cheese volumes jumping from approximately 900,000kg at the start of 2023 to over 1.7 million kilograms by December 2025.
Sustained Growth Beyond Seasonal Patterns
While cottage cheese sales traditionally spiked during summer months and in January due to post-Christmas dieting, the current boom represents a more fundamental shift. Tesco's Elizabeth Tomkins characterized this as "a fully fledged culinary phenomenon" rather than a temporary spike, noting it has brought substantial additional business to the UK dairy industry.
The engagement of younger consumers through social media platforms has created sustained, year-round demand that shows no signs of abating. As Graham's Family Dairy looks to the future, this unexpected revival of a classic product demonstrates the powerful influence of digital trends on traditional food sectors.
