Between January and May, domestic commercial American cheese disappearance rose 8.3% over the same period in 2020. That compares to a 3.9% lift in domestic commercial disappearance of other cheese varieties (including mozzarella) over the same 5-month period. Butter commercial disappearance rose by 4.1% for the year to May against prior year comparatives.

These are impressive trends, but some in the US industry are wondering what portion of the increase a real lift in demand versus a refilling of pipelines ahead of the foodservice sector reopening. In the month of May domestic American cheese use was up 4.4% YOY, while other cheese types lifted 1.7% relative to the same month of 2020. Butter disappearance rose 5.6% YOY in May, despite a relatively high comparable.