South Africa’s population with an overweight or obesity diagnosis is on the rise. According to Euromonitor International’s Economies and Consumers data, 26% of the over 18-year-old population of South Africa was overweight (BMI 25-30kg/sq m) in 2023, whilst 30% was obese (BMI 30kg/sq m or more). Approximately 26% of both males and females were overweight in the same year, with 18% and 43% respectively classed as obese. Meanwhile, around 53% of the adult population took part in insufficient physi

Health and wellness is a growing trend within dairy products and alternatives, due to consumers’ concerns about their health, and their desire to eat healthier foods in order to prevent any medical issues. Habits adopted during the pandemic have continued amongst some consumers, as people look to their diet in order to stay healthy. Many Chinese consumers favour purchasing foods which claim to offer fortification or functionality, as these are seen as options containing relevant nutrients to boo

Plant-based claims are increasingly important in health and wellness dairy products and alternatives in New Zealand. There is a strong tradition for cow’s milk dairy products in New Zealand, with dairy farming important to the country’s economy and high-quality locally-produced dairy products being a core component of the traditional diet. While cow’s milk still holds a strong appeal for many, consumers are however increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of dairy production, with t

Many consumers are looking to reduce their consumption of meat and dairy products. This trend underlines the broader way in which health and wellness concerns are increasingly aligning with ethical considerations around social and environmental sustainability and animal welfare. The move away from meat and dairy is being driven by rising awareness of the fact that livestock farming has a far greater environmental impact than arable farming, as well as increasing awareness of the health benefits

Most categories across health and wellness dairy products and alternatives in Norway underperformed over the course of 2023 and this can be attributed mainly to the resumption of cross-border shopping among the local population as the country’s borders reopened during the post-pandemic era. This cross-border shopping involves local people crossing into neighbouring Sweden to shop for groceries at lower prices and this, combined with the return to pre-pandemic consumer behaviour, put significant

The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the COVID-19 health crisis to be over in early 2023. Despite this, the pandemic left a lasting impact on the purchasing behaviour of consumers in Hong Kong, many of whom remained focused on products that could provide immune support. Thus, many players within dairy products and alternatives continued to place a strong emphasis on immune support in 2023 both through new product development and various social media and advertising campaigns. Thus, the c

Lactose free remained the leading health and wellness claim in dairy products and alternatives in Chile in value terms in 2023, and by a considerable distance. Multiple categories continued to witness solid demand for products with this positioning, as approximately 50% of the country’s population is believed to have some degree of lactose intolerance. Moreover, in line with rising health-consciousness, consumers who have not been formally diagnosed with the condition are becoming more aware tha

An increasing number of consumers are becoming more concerned about their health, and keen to prevent medical problems by eating “better”. The United Arab Emirates heavily relies on imported packaged food products. This means that consumers have increasing knowledge of and access to health and wellness products of all kinds. Another reason for the popularity of health and wellness products is that this is the trend globally, with such products now considered to be trendy and popular. This has al

While fat has long been a common ingredient limited by producers in dairy products and alternatives in South Korea (e.g., semi-skimmed and fat-free milk), protein is emerging as a new mainstay added ingredient. Recognised for its essential role in the body, protein is highly sought after by consumers. Such products are especially targeted towards those who have a desire to support muscle maintenance and their fitness goals on a daily basis. By aligning their offerings with consumers’ increasingl

Protein-enriched products have become increasingly popular in Germany due to the growing interest in healthy eating and fitness. These products provide a convenient and appetising way for people to consume greater protein content, which is considered important for building and repairing muscle tissue, maintaining healthy bones, and repairing the metabolism. This is in addition to other attributes of dairy as a source of calcium and essential nutrients.

Consumers in Mexico increasingly seek nutritional benefits from their food and beverage products, with added benefits including high fibre, protein, probiotics, vitamins and minerals gaining ground. This was further boosted by the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country, which motivated many consumers to examine their dietary habits more closely, while increasing interest in health, metabolism and the immune system. These trends have led to value sales of good sources of vitamins, dairy products, an

The health and wellness trend was already rising within dairy products and alternatives before 2020, but was given a boost by the pandemic, and has only continued to rise. Consumers increasingly want to prevent any medical problems by eating the right foods, especially as cardiovascular diseases are on the increase in India. Many health and wellness attributes have seen an increase in consumption as a result. With high consumption of sugar, fat, and salt linked to overweight and obesity, and als

Health and wellness is a growing trend within dairy products and alternatives, due to consumers’ concern about their health, and their desire to eat healthier foods in order to prevent medical problems. This trend was bolstered by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a direct result of the pandemic, consumers’ desire to better look after their metabolism boosted sales of products offering high protein, fibre, omega 3s, or other relevant nutrients. This has often become part of their healthier weekly routin

The increasingly sophisticated character of consumer demand for dairy products continued to be driven by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic throughout 2023, despite the fact that related restrictions were lifted in October of that year. Before Taiwan returned to pre-pandemic norms, most local consumers continued to work and study remotely from home. This helped to maintain the momentum of dairy segments such as butter, spreads, cheese, yoghurt and cream. Among various attributes, low/no fat an

As health and wellness products continue to be growing in demand in Saudi Arabia, consumers are looking for dairy products with reduced salt, sugar and fat, in addition to products fortified with benefits. Fortified/functional foods allow consumers an easy and convenient way to increase their nutritional intake, making products more appealing on shelves. As a result, in 2023, value sales of good sources of minerals dairy products and alternatives increased by 5% on the previous year. Good source

Singapore’s Ministry of Health implemented a Nutri-Grade labelling system on 30 December 2022. The regulation affects all packaged beverages and beverages from automated dispensers sold in Singapore. Under the scheme, Nutri-Grade beverages with a grade of C or D (indicating higher than 5g of sugar and/or greater than 1.2g of saturated fat per 100ml of product) must be labelled. This system aims to make it easier for consumers to identify products which have a high sugar and/or saturated fat cont

Within dairy products and alternatives, organic remained a dynamic health and wellness claim in the US in 2023, rising from an already notable base, with sales reaching USD3.8 billion. This is no surprise, as consumers are seeking simplification and assurance that the products they purchase are not ultra-processed foods, which can be achieved in their minds through organic certification. Consumers might buy fewer items, but are willing to spend more per item if it is deemed to be healthier, of a

 In 2023, health and wellness dairy products and alternatives benefited from a rising focus on foods that maximise health benefits and reduce the risk of longer-term health conditions. Consequently, consumers in 2023 increasingly looked to avoid high levels of fat, salt and sugar while looking to maximise health benefits by selecting fortified goods. In addition, focusing on the negative impact of ultra-processed foods and driving concerns surrounding artificial ingredients has driven focus on t

The health and wellness trend is shaping new product developments in dairy products and alternatives in Turkey, with a noticeable rise in fortified/functional products, especially in drinking milk products and cheese, as well as baby food. For instance, in baby food, milk formula fortified with prebiotics to support digestion, fortified with enzymes and folic acid to help brain development, and vitamins and minerals to help with immune support, is favoured by parents. Meanwhile, fortified/functi

Dairy products and alternatives saw health and wellness claims drive sales in 2023, while products launched on the landscape included lower or no added sugar content, higher protein and calcium, while free-from lactose and gluten continued to expand. Emphasising domestic origin has also been noted, supporting local production with many consumers perceiving domestic goods as healthier and more sustainable.

The combination of the prominent health and wellness trend and hectic modern lifestyles is encouraging consumers to look for food and drink products that can provide a convenient source of key nutrients and functional benefits. In this context, consumers are actively seeking faster and more efficient ways to safeguard their wellbeing. As a result, drinking milk products with fortified/functional attributes have become a highly attractive option for health conscious individuals, as dairy products

As local consumers become increasingly aware of the benefits of balanced nutrition and exercise on their health, demand for high protein foods has significantly grown in the UK. This has been particularly evident in dairy products that are naturally considered a good source of protein. Additional amounts of this nutrient is considered a convenient and appetising way to help consumers further improve their health. As a result, demand for high protein flavoured milk drinks, high protein cheese, an

During early 2022, Bio Suisse introduced new regulations relating to the production of organic cow’s milk in Switzerland, including a significant tightening of rules relating to the feed that is given to cows. Specifically, the proportion of concentrated feed that is now permitted has been reduced from 10% to 5%, while all feed for cows in Switzerland must now be 100% Swiss Knospe feed. These new regulations apply only to the Swiss organic agriculture sector and they are many times stricter than

No sugar was the most dynamic health and wellness claim in dairy products and alternatives in Finland in retail volume growth terms in 2023. Buoyant demand for products with this positioning reflected rising awareness among consumers that being overweight or obese can put them at greater risk of developing serious illnesses such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and various forms of cancer. The same trend ensured no added sugar and low sugar options continued to perform positively in multiple ca