Supermarket Perimeter - September 2024 - 46

Cheese
Imported
By Andy Nelson
THE VALUE OF IMPORTED CHEESE IN THE US GREW BY 11.2% IN
2023, to $1.82 billion, according to TrendEconomy.
And according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC),
the United States imported more than $1.57 billion in cheese in 2021,
making it the seventh largest importer of cheese in the world.
" The desire to explore global flavors through cheese is strong and will
likely grow in 2025 and beyond, " said Jenny Englert, marketing director
for Saputo USA.
The import business is certainly booming for Saputo.
" We have a variety of imported cheese brands that we're really
excited about, as they continue to gain momentum from consumers
and retailers alike, " Englert said.
Some of the company's top import brands include Cathedral City, El
Cortijo, Joan of Arc, Wensleydale Creamery, Kaamps Estate and Landana.
Experimenting with imported cheeses, Englert said, is one of the best
ways for consumers to explore the flavors and unique food traditions of
the world.
Imported cheeses often use traditional aging processes, integrate
unique regional flavors, and offer consumers' palates new textures and
flavor notes that compliment familiar cheese experiences.
For example, El Cortijo Iberico cheeses imported by Saputo bring
familiar textures to the palate, but their buttery aromas bring new flavors
that are " both delicious and surprising to taste buds, " Englert said.
Other cheeses Saputo imports tell compelling stories.
Stella Grana Padano, a hard, straw-colored cheese from Northern
Italy's Po Valley, has a
history dating to 1923,
when Italian diplomat
Count Bolognesi began
making authentic Parmesan
cheese on a small farm
on Lake Nebegamon in
Northern Wisconsin in
partnership with a master
cheesemaker from Italy.
The cheese quickly
caught the fancy of the
locals, who appreciated
the authentic Italian taste,
and it continued to grow
in popularity as the years
46 - SEPTEMBER 2024
Sweet-and-savory
options from Saputo
and other importers
are becoming more
and more popular.
went on, Englert said. " When consumers start exploring the global
cheese world, they're pleasantly surprised by the various profiles and
legacies from cheese to cheese-learning that no Wensleydale, Gouda,
Cheddar, or Brie tastes the same due to a cheese's geographic location
and aging process. "
Looking ahead, Saputo has several exciting things in the pipeline in its
import program.
The company will soon roll out new packaging for the El Cortijo
brand of Spanish cheeses, which includes Manchego, Dorado, Iberico,
and Sheep cheese with olive oil varieties.
Coming this fall, meanwhile, are additional flavors in Saputo's
Wensleydale line of English cheeses: Mango Ginger, Hot Honey Cheddar
and Truffle Cheddar.
Saputo's imported gouda brands, Kaamps Estate and Landana, also
will debut new products this fall. They will include a Pizza Gouda
Wedge and a Maple Whiskey Wedge from Kaamps Estate and a Jersey
XO wedge from Landana.
Schuman expands import roster
Over the past several years, Schuman Cheese has strategically filled
gaps in its import portfolio, said Quentin Wright-McDuffie, brand
manager, Bella Rosa and import business for Schuman.
" Our journey has transformed significantly. Since taking the helm, we
have broadened our horizons beyond our initial focus on Italian and
Italian-style cheeses worldwide. "
supermarketperimeter.com
Saputo

https://oec.world/en/profile/bilateral-product/cheese/reporter/usa https://www.saputospecialty.com/en/our-cheeses/el-cortijo https://www.saputospecialty.com/en/our-cheeses/el-cortijo https://www.joanofarcbrie.com/ https://www.saputospecialty.com/en/our-cheeses/wensleydale-creamery https://www.saputospecialty.com/en/our-cheeses/kaamps-estate https://www.saputospecialty.com/en/our-cheeses/landana https://www.saputospecialty.com/en/our-cheeses/el-cortijo/iberico-cheese http://www.supermarketperimeter.com

Supermarket Perimeter - September 2024

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