German Mozzarella fails to keep up

GERMANY – Sales of Mozzarella cheese in Germany have failed to keep up with other cheese types, according to a recent survey.

According to the research by A C Nielson self service Mozzarella sales grew by 13% to 25,000 tonnes in 2001. However, this represents a levelling off in comparison with most other cheeses, which saw larger sales rises.

Sources suggest that Galbani, the German market leader and traditional Italian manufacturer of Mozzarella, is now struggling for supremacy against Zott and Goldsteig, two German contenders which have enjoyed rising market shares.

Mozzarella producer Pasturago di Varnate is aiming to grab a bigger share of the North European mozzarella market this year with a two-pronged attack. It is offering genuine buffalo milk mozzarella to take customers away from the blander cow product.

This has been launched under the Pettinicchio label from the creamery of the same name in southern Italy. It features a 53% fat cheese selling sold in brine. A cows’ milk Mozzarella has also been launched under the Pettinicchio label.

Also new in the German Mozzarella field is a 50% fat organic Mozzarella produced only with cow milk from organic farms in Bavaria and marketed by Goldsteig.