Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products in Finland

PROSPECTS

Finding growth opportunities

Yoghurt and sour milk products in Finland is a mature category. Yoghurt in particular will continue to face competition from quark as a result of the protein boom.

Concerns about sugar content

Over the review period the leading manufacturers, particularly Valio and Arla, significantly reduced the sugar content of their yoghurts. In 2018, new launches with no added white sugar or sweeteners heralded a new trend.

Lactose-free products attract a wider audience

Most of the new yoghurts launched in 2018 were lactose-free. For example, Valio launched Valio Lempeä plain yoghurt, which is positioned as similar to Turkish and Greek yoghurt but has a less acidic taste and is free from lactose.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Finding profitable niches is the way forward

Competition in yoghurt and sour milk products in Finland is fierce, with the category offering a wide choice of products. As a result, it is difficult to gain share and challenge the leading companies, such as the domestic dairy giant Valio.

Strong new product development needed to help boost sales

Free from dairy yoghurts continued to grow in 2018 as they catered for the ongoing health and wellness trend and rise in veganism. In particular, the launch of Oddlygood oat-based “gurts” by the dairy giant Valio was significant.

Ecological packaging innovations setting a new bar

By the end of 2018, all of Valio’s gable top carton packaging will be made completely from plant-based materials, including the screw cap, thus lowering its carbon footprint by 50% compared to conventional packaging. Other players, particularly Arla, which has already developed environmentally-friendlier organic milk carton packaging, are expected to innovate further to tackle consumers’ environmental concerns.

Files are delivered directly into your account within a few minutes of purchase.