General Mills has confirmed it has discontinued three Cheerios products, citing supply chain challenges and declining consumer demand.
The company announced that Honey Nut Cheerios Medley Crunch, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios, and 18-ounce boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios Minis have been pulled from shelves. While the larger size of the Minis is no longer available, the 10.8-ounce version will remain on the market.
A General Mills spokesperson stated that the move was due to “a variety of reasons, ranging from insufficient consumer demand to ingredients no longer available or other supply chain constraints, whereby it’s just no longer feasible for us to offer the product with the high quality and competitive pricing that consumers know and expect.”
The decision comes as General Mills faces slowing sales and shifting consumer behavior. Once a staple in American households, the cereal giant—also known for brands like Lucky Charms and Wheaties—has seen demand wane in recent years.
According to the company’s latest quarterly earnings report, CEO Jeff Harmening attributed the sales slump to “stronger-than-anticipated value-seeking behaviors,” indicating more consumers are opting for lower-priced alternatives amid rising food costs.
Breakfast cereal sales had temporarily surged during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic as families ate at home, giving General Mills a 5% sales boost in 2020. However, the trend quickly reversed. In 2021, the company saw an 8.7% decline in cereal sales, followed by an additional 4% drop last year.
As consumer habits continue to evolve, it remains to be seen whether the iconic cereal maker will adjust its offerings to regain momentum in the competitive breakfast aisle.
