Uh-Oh: Parmesan Cheese Prices Are Expected to Skyrocket This Year
Cheese lovers, you might want to sit down for this one.
Parmesan—the favorite of pasta connoisseurs and charcuterie board experts alike—is about to get way more expensive.
While we'd like to put your mind at cheese ease, the statistics look bleak. Consumer demand and supply chain issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic already caused cheese prices to reach record highs over the past year, but parmesan fans may not have noticed a dramatic shift quite yet. Unlike some softer cheeses, it takes around 10 months for it to age before reaching grocery stores.
Now, increased production costs are finally catching up with buyers as parmesan that was made in March, April, and May 2020 begins to hit shelves—and it comes with a hefty price tag. Experts predict that parmesan prices will "skyrocket" by April 2021, and the surge could last for at least six months.
As Schuman Cheese Chief Customer Officer Neil Cox explained to Eat This, Not That, the cost of producing parmesan at the Schuman Cheese plant went up 40 to 60% last year. In turn, the price that we pay for it is expected to go up by $1.50 to $2.00 per pound. It doesn't help that parmesan has such a distinct flavor and texture, so there are few comparable alternatives for folks to turn to.
"I would guess it may slow down consumers' purchase patterns," Neil said. "But people will, in all likelihood, pay the increase because, ultimately, it's still delivering an experience and flavor."
First it was Dr Pepper, then Grape-Nuts, and now parmesan cheese. What's next?! 😭
