Yogurts remain a popular product among Canadians, purchased by 88% in the three months to June 2014. Yogurt and yogurt drinks is a highly versatile category which enjoys a relatively healthy image, with 68% of yogurt buyers thinking that they are suitable for the whole family.
The market saw significant change in 2011 when General Mills assumed control of Yoplait and Liberté from Ultima Foods. The latter company responded by launching its own IÖGO brand of yogurts and yogurt drinks which is tapping into consumer interest in more natural products and the use of sweeteners such as stevia.
Volume retail sales of yogurts and yogurt drinks have grown notably over the past five years, reaching 284 million kg in 2014. Volumes are expected to continue rising by around 4% annually over the next five years. A sharp increase in average price boosted the value of the market by 10% in 2013. While growth is anticipated to be lower going forward, values are still expected to rise by 7% in 2014 to reach $2.34 billion. Greek yogurt has been one of the major reasons for this growth, with most of the leading companies now having at least one Greek-oriented brand or variant.
Definition
This report examines the Canadian retail market for yogurt and yogurt drinks, and excludes sales through catering or fast food establishments.
Yogurt includes spoonable yogurt, fromage frais and yogurt drinks. Functional fermented milk drinks such as Yakult are included in the report since cultures similar to those contained therein have now been introduced into products positioned as yogurt. Frozen yogurt is excluded from this market although reference to the segment is made in the section The Consumer – Perceptions of Yogurt and Yogurt Drinks.
Values at constant 2014 prices are devised using Mintel’s deflator which has been tailored to the Canadian market. Market size data relates to value and volume sales via the retail channel only, with non-retail sales referred to within analysis where applicable.
