The total value of the GB retail cheese market was up 2.6% to £2.8bn in the 52wks ending March 30, 2014, according to figures from Kantar Worldpanel, despite static volumes. After hovering at around £6.50/kg for a year, the average price rose steadily from September 2013, reaching £6.63/kg on average for the year, possibly in response to rising wholesale prices during 2013. With Cheddar accounting for more than half of total cheese sales, the increase stemmed mainly from this sector, and specifically from branded Cheddar. On average, prices for branded Cheddar were up by £0.27/kg (3.9%) compared to +0.2% for private label. Volume growth in the Cheddar market was just 0.2%, with stronger growth for private label than branded.