Europe Yogurt Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2023-2028)

The Europe Yogurt Market is projected to register a CAGR of 3.2% over the next five years.

The market witnessed significant growth due to a rise in health consciousness among Europeans. This encouraged them to opt for yogurt, as it has various health benefits, like improved digestion, enhanced immune function, and a reduced risk of many diseases, including obesity. The addition of yogurt to meal plans is one of those factors contributing to the market growth. The demand for yogurt is fuelled by the availability of numerous flavors growing consumer indulgence in exotic flavors, and significant investments by manufacturers. This prompts manufacturers to develop products with innovative flavors to cater to the growing demand.

Additionally, with the growing trend of veganism across Europe, the demand for non-dairy-based yogurt products is anticipated to grow faster. Owing to the ample retail space and convenient conventional services, supermarkets/ hypermarkets remain one of the most preferred points of sale for yogurt. With the widespread concerns around the region regarding consuming probiotic or prebiotic yogurt, several wellness brands, such as Activia and Actimel, offered drinking yogurt and spoonable yogurt in exotic fruit flavors. As per the data of the Department of Health and Social Care, the United Kingdom government has set regulations that restrict the placement of products in grocery or any retail shelves or any e-commerce store along with that promoting products or drinks which are high in salt, sugar and fat, salt or those are less healthy in an open forum. This government statement has bound various yogurt manufacturers to produce dairy or non-dairy less sugar and cleanly labeled yogurt products in the United Kingdom market.

Europe Yogurt Market Trends

Rising Demand For Probiotic Food And Beverages

The high prevalence of digestive disorders drives the demand for probiotic foods across various consumer groups. Yogurt is the most preferred probiotic food in different flavors in both spoonable and drinkable forms. The ongoing trend of healthy dietary and snacking options among the European population is yet another factor driving the sales of probiotics, such as kombucha, yogurts, and probiotic drinks, across the region. Additionally, probiotics in sauerkraut, pickles, and other fermented food and beverages, such as kefir, buttermilk, tempeh, kimchi, and miso, are a part of a commoner's diet in Europe. Non-dairy probiotic products gained importance due to the ongoing swing of vegan food and the steep prevalence of lactose intolerance over large European populations.

Fermented fruit juices, desserts, and cereal-based products proved to be suitable media for delivering excellent potential for probiotic food products. This increased penetration of dairy and non-dairy yogurt led Yogurtcritical players across the region to constantly invest in R&D activities for product innovation, with product claims, like low/no sugar, to capture the evolving consumer trend and gain a competitive advantage in the market. Moreover, Yogurt is a protein-rich food source that improves metabolism. Therefore, eating Yogurt throughout the day helps you burn more calories. People are consuming more Yogurt due to the health benefits it offers. Apart from weight loss, Yogurt also enhances gut bacteria. Because of these properties, the demand for Yogurt is continuously rising.

Germany Holds Largest Market Share in Europe

Production of yogurt in Germany constituted a significant percentage of total European production of yogurt in 2021, making Germany the largest producer of yogurt in Europe according to the Eurostat. Germany and France have the largest yogurt market in terms of revenue in Europe. Germany's Yogurt Market is projected to witness robust growth during the forecast period, due to the growing preference for yogurt-based drinks over sugar-loaded variants available in the market due to awareness of lifestyle disorders such as obesity and diabetes. Moreover, widespread consumption of yogurt or yogurt-based products among the older generation coupled with the rising popularity of low-fat Greek yogurt among consumers due to its low calorific value and the health benefits associated with the consumption of yogurt is anticipated to drive the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Emerging segments such as plant-based yogurt and yogurt drinks are showing growth in the German market. The growing popularity of dairy alternatives primarily in Germany has led to the rapid growth of plant-based yogurt. Owing to this major players in the market are launching more plant-based yogurts than in previous years. Greek yogurt is at the forefront of the preferences of German consumers, in the context of the daily diet with natural products as well as their particularly growing awareness of products that contribute to maintaining health and well-being. Furthermore, eating healthy food has become a habit for German consumers to maintain blood sugar levels and to boost immunity, with that the consumption of traditional, as well as flavored yogurt after meals or at breakfast, is very common among German consumers. Adding to this, as per the data of the world bank more than 12 million tourists have visited Germany in 2021 that the demand for vegan yogurt is growing within the country, and the domestic consumer along with international consumers adopting veganism with its wide availability of flavored vegan yogurt such as vanilla, strawberry, raspberry, mixed berry, among others.

Europe Yogurt Market Competitor Analysis

The market studied is highly competitive, with major players, like Danone SA, Nestle SA, Arla Foods, General Mills Inc., and Friesland Campina, holding significant shares. An advanced distribution network gives an upper edge to the manufacturers to expand their range of products across the region. Moreover, due to the rapidly-changing consumer demands and preferences, players must innovate to continuously sustain and grow in the market. To attain a larger share of the market studied, manufacturers are revitalizing their product portfolios to present the health aspects of yogurt. For instance, in December 2021, Fage International announced opening a new factory in the Netherlands after eliminating the plans of opening a facility in Luxembourg, with a view of investing USD 169.8 Million. The factory is scheduled to begin operations in 2024 and could create 250 new jobs. The strategy is to expand its yogurt business internationally.​

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