October 18/Washington/USDA -- U.S. per capita cheese consumption totaled 33.51 pounds in 2012.

That surpassed the previous high of 33.50 pounds in 2007, according to preliminary figures released by USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS).

About 82% (27.43 pounds) of all cheese consumed in 2012 was “natural,” with the remainder (6.08 pounds) consumed as a processed cheese in other food products.

Mozzarella and cheddar continue to be the favorites among U.S. consumers in 2012.