Products with panache: Greek yogurt innovations boost success
Esther Renfrew, market intelligence director, Zenith, told DairyReporter.com Greek style yogurts have a ‘significant’ presence in Zenith’s Global Dairy Innovation 2014 report.
“We are seeing innovations in products, flavours, and packaging. More companies are coming out with exotic flavours, some combined with servings of granola or fruit compote to add texture," she said.
Health credentials
“There are also drinkable Greek yogurts in the market. There are even specific products that are marketed for ‘active men’.”
Powerful Yogurt is one product featured in the report. It is marketed at men and has a high protein content and larger portion size, designed to ‘fuel an active lifestyle,’ its producers claim.
Other products in the report include Nestlé’s Grego drinking yogurt, and Alpina’s probiotic Yox Con Defensis.
Developments in flavours and packaging, alongside Greek yogurt’s health credentials, are helping its popularity continue. Developments have been most notable in the US, but are also present in other countries, Renfrew said.
“Greek yogurt is known for a number of health benefits, including high protein content, low sodium and carbohydrates, and probiotics which aide in digestion and support immune system function,” she said.
“It is offered as a healthy and functional food for consumers at a time when people are increasingly concerned about obesity and other health issues.”
Memory enhancements
The report features more than 100 brand innovations to give a guide for companies considering product launches this year. It covers all dairy categories including milk, cheese, cream, butter, yogurt, ice cream and dairy desserts. The entries are not ranked.
Products with memory enhancements are found in the report. “These are products that contain functional ingredients that are targeted at aiding memory, such as milks with ingredients designed to meet the needs of people with early Alzheimers,” Renfrew said.
The spread of cheese into Asia is also noted in the report. “Many of the products are similar [to European products], however, there are some products that are unique to these markets,” Renfrew said. “For example, in Japan a company has launched a cheese that is specifically designed for after excessive alcohol consumption.”
