Kefir Market Report 2026

The kefir market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.62 billion in 2025 to $2.76 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising consumer interest in fermented foods, expansion of dairy processing infrastructure, traditional consumption of fermented milk drinks, growth of functional beverage categories, availability of raw milk sources.

The kefir market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.46 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing focus on gut health products, rising demand for plant-based probiotics, expansion of functional beverage portfolios, growing investments in fermentation technology, increasing retail penetration of health beverages. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for probiotic-rich dairy beverages, expansion of plant-based and water kefir variants, rising popularity of flavored kefir products, increasing focus on organic and natural fermentation, enhanced investment in cold-chain processing.

The growing popularity of functional beverages is expected to propel the growth of the kefir market going forward. Functional beverages are non-alcoholic drinks formulated with added health-promoting ingredients such as probiotics, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs, and fruit or vegetable extracts. Rising consumer demand for nutrient-rich, sugar-free, and non-dairy beverage options is significantly boosting the adoption of kefir, which is widely recognized for its probiotic benefits and digestive health support. For instance, in March 2024, according to data released by Circana LLC, a US-based market research and media company, overall sports drink sales reached $4.89 billion, reflecting a 9.4% increase over the 52 weeks ending December 2023. This strong growth in functional beverage consumption highlights the expanding market opportunity for kefir products. Therefore, the rising demand for functional beverages is driving the growth of the kefir market.

Leading companies in the kefir market are concentrating on innovations, such as drinkable and spoonable formats, to achieve a smooth texture and mild flavor. Drinkable kefir refers to the liquid version intended for direct consumption, whereas spoonable kefir is thicker and typically eaten with a spoon, similar to yogurt. For instance, in September 2024, Activia, an India-based company in the fast-moving consumer goods sector, introduced a new range of spoonable and drinkable kefir designed to promote gut health. This new kefir line offers both drinkable and spoonable options, available in Natural and Strawberry & Raspberry flavors. It contains 16 live culture strains aimed at enhancing digestive wellness and is fortified with calcium, crafted to provide a smooth texture and mild taste. The product seeks to offer an accessible and enjoyable experience for gut health.

In April 2025, Müller UK & Ireland, a UK-based dairy group known for yogurt, milk drinks, and dairy desserts, acquired Biotiful Gut Health for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Müller aims to expand into the rapidly growing functional food and gut health dairy segment by leveraging Biotiful’s strong brand presence and consumer base. Biotiful Gut Health is a UK-based producer of kefir drinks, yogurts, overnight oats, meal boosters, and other kefir-based functional dairy products.

Major companies operating in the kefir market are Danone SA, Lifeway Foods Inc., Lifeway Foods Canada Inc., Biotiful Dairy Ltd., Babushka Kefir, GO-KEFIR, Nancy's Probiotic Foods, Rumba Kefir, Green Valley Organics, Maple Hill Creamery LLC, Redwood Hill Farm & Creamery Inc., Organic Meadow Limited Partnership, Kri Kri Milk Industry SA, Granarolo S.p.A, Good Karma Foods Inc., Forager Project LLC, Wallaby Yogurt Company, Greek Gods Yogurt, Fresh Made, New Age Farm Inc., Oak Knoll Dairy, One Straw Farm.

North America was the largest region in the kefir market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the kefir market share during the forecast period. The regions covered in the kefir market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the kefir market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The kefir market consists of sales of kefir grains, kefir milk, kefir yogurt, kefir smoothie, kefir probiotic drink. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.