A Scottish dairy producer is experiencing a remarkable surge in cottage cheese sales, largely attributed to a viral trend on TikTok that has rejuvenated interest in this once-niche product. Graham’s Family Dairy, based in Fife, has responded to unprecedented demand by investing £3.5 million in an expansion of its production capabilities, aiming to meet the needs of a changing consumer landscape.
A Viral Sensation
The resurgence of cottage cheese can be traced back to a wave of culinary influencers utilising the platform to showcase innovative recipes. Popular TikTok tags, such as “cottage cheese breakfast rounds” and “cottage cheese edible cookie dough,” have amassed millions of views, effectively transforming the perception of this dairy staple. As a result, Graham’s Family Dairy has reported a doubling of its sales within a few years—an increase equating to an extra two million kilograms sold.
Supermarket giant Tesco has echoed this trend, noting a tripling of cottage cheese demand over the past two years. The Grocer recently highlighted a striking increase in monthly sales volumes, which soared from approximately 900,000 kilograms at the beginning of 2023 to over 1.7 million kilograms by December 2025.
Strategic Expansion
In light of this remarkable demand, Graham’s Family Dairy is strategically expanding its production at its Glenfield site, which will enhance output by 50% and create 25 new jobs within the local community. Managing Director Robert Graham remarked on the sudden shift in consumer preferences, stating, “The demand has simply been staggering. Our cottage cheese business is now bigger than our milk business—which is what our dairy farm was originally built around.”
The investment not only aims to increase production but also to maintain the traditional methods that distinguish Graham’s cottage cheese from competitors. Employing an open-vat process, the company produces a firmer curd and a more natural texture, which has resonated with a younger audience increasingly focused on quality and provenance.
Global Reach and Future Prospects
The ripple effects of this cottage cheese trend are being felt far beyond the UK. Graham indicated that the company has begun exporting its products to international markets, including the Gulf States and Hong Kong. This global interest underscores how a social media phenomenon can spur local industries to think beyond their traditional boundaries.
Elizabeth Tomkins, Tesco’s cottage cheese buyer, further emphasised the impact of these social media trends on retail. “TikTok food trends often result in sudden sales spikes,” she noted. “This is a fully fledged culinary phenomenon that has brought a lot of extra business to the UK dairy industry.”
Why it Matters
The cottage cheese revival exemplifies how digital platforms can reshape consumer behaviour and influence economic outcomes in traditional sectors. As Graham’s Family Dairy expands and adapts to the changing preferences of a younger demographic, it highlights an important shift in the food industry, where nostalgia meets modern dietary trends. This intersection is not merely a fleeting fad; it signals a significant opportunity for growth within the UK dairy sector, revealing the potential for traditional foods to reclaim their place in contemporary diets through innovative marketing and community engagement.
