Grill cheese is hotting up in DACH
Across the German-speaking world – Germany, Austria and Switzerland, also known as DACH – flexitarian consumers are looking for something other than meat to throw on the barbecue and grill cheeses are stepping in.
According to Mintel data, grill cheese product launches are five times higher in Austria than in Europe overall (accounting for 10% of total cheese launches compared with just 2% across the continent between 2014 and 2015), followed by Switzerland at 7% and Germany at 5%.
Food and drink analyst at Mintel Julia Büch says: “As cheese is facing competition from other meat alternatives, grill cheese needs to step up its game with convenient and sophisticated offerings
Brands can do this with added ingredients such as marinades, spices and vegetables. Patros’ feta grill cheese has layers of pepper and chili or tomato and basil, while Käserei Champignon’s Rougette is flavoured with a variety of marinades.
The main companies operating in the grill cheese category in Germany are Hochland, Käserei Champignon and Alpenhain, while in Austria Concept Fresh dominates and Züger Frischkäse in Switzerland.
Photo: iStock / Robyn Mackenzie
