For the love of cookie: Global appetite up 31.6% to cope with the COVID blues

By Gill Hyslop

- Last updated on GMT

According to American literary critic and author Barbara Johnson, a balanced diet consists of 'a cookie in each hand'. Pic: GettyImages/Deagreez
According to American literary critic and author Barbara Johnson, a balanced diet consists of 'a cookie in each hand'. Pic: GettyImages/Deagreez
With US cookie demand soaring by 25% since the beginning of the outbreak, if Americans haven’t stocked up by now, they may have to forgo the crunchy treat for Christmas, contends TopData.

The admin services provider for the freelance marketplace analysed consumer tracking data of visits to online cookie stores to determine how consumer appetite for cookies has increased over the past several months and reiterated the warning by Pepperidge Farm of a possible cookie shortage during the holidays.

Earlier this month, the Campbell Soup brand announced its cookie division is facing a series of ‘supply constraints’ following an 8.7% rise in demand for its products in the 13 week period to 1 November 2020.

According to the Milano cookie maker, demand has gone through the roof, forcing it to work around the clock to ensure a plentiful supply for consumers, along with Santa and his reindeer, for the big day.

On the rise

TopData’s survey results found that 95% of respondents consume at least one cookie every month, with one in five eating more than three cookies per day on average. Data also reveals that 32% of Americans eat 24 to 42 cookies a month, while 15.5% consume 48 to 66.

The blue line trajectory follows an even greater demand globally, with the rise in cookie (biscuit) demand soaring by 31.6% during the pandemic.

France leads the world with its cookie obsession growing by 61% in the past several months, followed by the UK (55%), Japan (52%) and South Africa (45%).

Surprisingly, the US only ranks 10th​ on the cookie demand leader board, behind Italy, Australia, Mexico, Canada and Brazil.

Drilling deeper into stats in the States

TopData found Utahns top the rankings as the fans most addicted to cookies, closely followed by Idahoens and Oregonians in third spot.

It also found the love for cookies dilutes somewhat as you journey south, with many of the southern states ranking among those with the lowest appetite for the sweet treat.

Louisiana ranks last, propping up South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Texas just above them.

So, what are the cookies US fans are feasting on most?

TopData found that Down Easters (Mainers) love a chocolate chip more than any other state; Alaskans harbour a hankering for sugar cookies; and Okies or Sooners (Oklahomans) crave peanut butter-flavoured extravagances.

Delawareans entertain a soft spot for the stylish French creation, macaroons.

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