DSM Study: Global Lifestyle Differences Fuel Local Yogurt Growth Opportunities

16 Feb 2015 --- DSM has published a report revealing how yogurt preferences and eating occasions differ between countries and cultures. The findings indicate there are new and interesting opportunities for dairy companies to bring more yogurt varieties to a growing global market.

Based on a survey carried out in countries as varied as China, US, Brazil, Poland, France and Turkey, the results demonstrate different yogurt consumption trends between countries, gender and age groups. Finding ways to leverage these differences and integrate yogurt into consumers’ lives is key to further growing this vibrant market.

Part of the DSM Global Insight Series, the paper focuses on the consumption patterns of yogurt. It reveals that 53% consumers of the consumers surveyed are eating more yogurt than before. Although this figure is higher in emerging dairy markets like Brazil and China, the absolute amount and frequency of yogurt consumed is lagging behind, compared to more mature markets like France and Turkey.

The occasions consumers eat yogurt vary per country, from a dessert in France (87%), to a snack on the go in Poland (73%) to a beverage in China (47%). In fact, drinking yogurt dominates the Chinese yogurt market, as 49% of people mainly prefer drinking yogurt, whereas just 11% mostly eat spoonable yogurt. The favorite type of yogurt also differs per country: Greek yogurt is increasingly popular in the U.S. (36%), however the Chinese have been eating more probiotic yogurt over the last 3 years (54%). As emerging yogurt markets are embracing dairy desserts in different ways, this may open innovation and consumption opportunities that are not available in mature yogurt markets.

“We see a very dynamic yogurt market all over the world. Yogurt is not limited to one occasion anymore; people eat it for breakfast, as a dessert, snack or a beverage and we see new products introduced on a daily basis”, explains Dominik Grabinski, Global Marketing Manager at DSM Food Specialties. “We help our dairy customers to identify ways in which their products can be consumed at least daily, and we inspire them to translate successful concepts from one country to others”.