Consumers get gut health bug as probiotics enjoy sales boom

The global market for probiotic dairy products is set to grow by a third between now and 2005 as consumers become increasingly hooked on buying gut-enhancing functional foods.
A new report published by UK-based consultancy Leatherhead Food Research Association (LFRA) says the probiotic market in the USA, Japan, Europe and Australia was worth $3.5 billion in 2000. By 2005, it is forecast to grow 30% to $4.55 billion.
When Japan, by far the world’s largest and most mature single probiotics market, is factored out of the equation the growth is even more impressive. Sales of probiotic dairy products in the USA, Europe and Australia stood at $1.3 billion in 2000, but are expected to grow by 50% in the following five years to $1.95 billion.
Japan is the world’s leading gut health dairy market, with sales worth $2.2 billion in 2000. Europe is the next largest market, with Germany leading the way ($306m), then France ($210m) and the UK ($197m). The rest of Europe accounts for $436 million worth of sales.
US consumers have shown little interest in gut health products to date, says LFRA, which could explain why sales were just $120 million in 2000. Sales in Australia were $50 million.
Meanwhile, another LFRA report says the global market for