The decline of Camembert is confirmed. According to Kantar data published by FranceAgriMer and reported by Réussir, the sales volume of Norman cheese fell by 10% in 2021, to 43,860 tons. In five years, the fall amounts to 18.3%.
Although it is still the second best-selling cheese behind Emmental (148,757 tons), Camembert is about to be overtaken by raclette (38,997 tons) and mozzarella (38,545 tons), whose sales have increased respectively by 2.3 and 1.8% last year, and 55.4% and 34% in five years.
During the period from January 1 to September 11, 2021, mozzarella had even surpassed camembert: 33,170 tons sold, compared to 29,230. But the tricolor cheese ended up saving its place thanks to the winter season, which was less favorable for its Italian competitor.
Camembert already out of the sales podium in value
In value, Camembert has already been kicked off the podium. Last year it was sold for 319 million euros (-7.7%), compared to 330 million euros for mozzarella (+5.3%), 389 million for raclette (+2.9%) and the 1,100 million euros of emmental (-9.9%).
It should be noted, however, that this downgrading of camembert is mostly symbolic, as Norman cheese is mostly eaten on a plate, unlike raclette and mozzarella. Even so, it seems to have less and less place in the consumption habits of the French, who are now more willing to taste cheese as an aperitif, as a snack or as an ingredient in recipes.
Source: BFM TV
