Christmas remains the biggest sales moment of the year for cheese, and this festive season, Brie and Camembert once again top the list of must-stock varieties.
According to Lactalis UK & Ireland, the UK’s leading dairy company and brand owner of Président and Galbani, these cheeses consistently see strong seasonal uplift as shoppers seek out indulgent, crowd-pleasing options. Alongside Stilton and Wensleydale, Brie and Camembert have shown significant peaks in both value and volume over the past 3 Christmases, reflecting their role as festive essentials.
Héloise Le Norcy-Trott, Group Marketing Director for Lactalis UK & Ireland, explains: “Brie and Camembert are at the heart of British Christmas celebrations. Whether baked, paired with chutneys or enjoyed as part of a cheeseboard, they embody the sense of indulgence people look for at this time of year. Each Christmas we see these soft cheeses rise to the top, driven by shoppers seeking quality, versatility and that special festive touch. Président Brie and Camembert continue to lead the category in both value and volume, and remain firm favourites with consumers nationwide.”
Président Brie achieved 12.4 per cent value growth and four per cent volume growth in December 2024 compared with the same period in 2023, while Président Camembert recorded 18.6 per cent and 22.0 per cent. Both continue to outperform the wider soft cheese market, maintaining Président’s position as the UK’s number one French cheese brand.
Building on this success, Lactalis UK & Ireland has launched Président Spreadable Creamy Brie with Truffle. Combining the signature creaminess of Président Brie with the rich, aromatic flavour of real truffle, it’s set to bring excitement and a touch of luxury to the festive season. The new product taps into rising demand for premium flavours and versatile formats, offering a simple way for consumers to elevate everyday dishes or create show-stopping Christmas cheeseboards.
“Truffle continues to grow as a festive flavour trend, particularly as consumers trade up over Christmas,” adds Le Norcy-Trott. “Our new Spreadable Creamy Brie with Truffle delivers a luxurious yet accessible option, perfect for entertaining, gifting, or adding a restaurant-style finish to home cooking.”
Lactalis UK & Ireland also points to Galbani Dolcelatte as a key blue cheese to watch this Christmas. Originating from Lombardy in Northern Italy – where Galbani has been making authentic Italian cheeses since 1882 - Dolcelatte is a smooth and creamy blue cheese that offers a milder alternative to traditional blue varieties. Its soft texture and delicate flavour make it highly versatile, perfect for cheeseboards or for adding Italian flair to pasta, pizza and risotto dishes.
Beyond cheese, indulgent dairy remains in high demand over the festive period. Président Spray Cream, now the UK’s number one spray cream brand and the fastest-growing player in the category (+40 per cent YOY value growth), is also expected to be a Christmas favourite. Its superior taste and convenience make it the perfect finishing touch for hot chocolates, festive desserts and trifles - helping retailers tap into consumers’ appetite for small, affordable moments of indulgence.
“Retailers who plan ahead and spotlight their Brie and Camembert ranges, while complementing them with premium additions like Dolcelatte and Président Spray Cream, will be best placed to capture festive demand,” says Le Norcy-Trott. “With consumer confidence returning and indulgence high on the agenda, this year’s Christmas season looks particularly strong for dairy.”