Cheese sales on the up in Germany

Cheese sales over the counter in otherwise self-service supermarkets have stabilised this year in Germany after a long downward trend.

Retail organisations estimate that around 86,000 tons of cheese were sold this way in 2008. The busiest cheese counters are in medium and small supermarket outlets, usually family-run and franchised businesses.
Figures indicate a drop of around 10,000 tons in cut-and-wrap cheese business in these grocery outlets compared with 2007. But, say the organisations, there is every sign that 2009 is enjoying an upward trend with new cheese retailing