Arla Foods Enters UK Cottage Cheese Market to Target Younger, Protein-Focused Demographics

Arla Foods, the UK’s largest farmer-owned dairy cooperative, has announced a strategic entry into the cottage cheese category with the launch of Arla Cottage Cheese.

The move is designed to capitalise on the category's recent revival, driven by the dual trends of high-protein diets and viral social media recipes. By introducing a branded proposition into a sector heavily dominated by private label options, Arla aims to recruit younger shoppers and drive value growth for retailers.

The 'Cooling' of Cottage Cheese

Once considered a retro staple, cottage cheese has seen a resurgence in popularity, aided significantly by content trends on platforms like TikTok. Despite this "revival," Arla notes that household penetration in the UK sits at 26.8% (one in four households), indicating significant headroom for growth compared to other dairy protein categories.

The launch strategy focuses on "trading up" the fixture. By leveraging the trust associated with the Arla masterbrand, the cooperative intends to attract lapsed shoppers and convince existing consumers to switch from own-label products to a premium branded offering.

Product Profile and Usage

Arla Cottage Cheese is engineered for versatility, addressing modern usage occasions beyond the traditional salad accompaniment. The product features a "clean, creamy taste" and a lightly set, spoonable texture, designed for application in:

Meals: As a component in bakes and sauces.
Snacking: High-protein toppings or on toast.

Stuart Ibberson, Arla Brand Director at Arla Foods, commented on the strategic rationale:

“Cottage cheese is back on shoppers’ radar for good reasons - taste, versatility and protein. With Arla Cottage Cheese, we’re bringing the reassurance and reach of the Arla masterbrand to help retailers trade the fixture up, recruit younger shoppers and unlock repeat through everyday usage. Penetration is building, and the UK still under-indexes versus other markets and adjacent dairy protein categories, so there’s clear runway for future growth.”

Commercial Details and Future Roadmap

The range is available to retailers from 5 January 2026. Arla has confirmed plans for further innovation within the category, with new flavours and formats scheduled for rollout later in the year.

Launch SKUs: