Weight loss and dairy
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One interesting side effect of the GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) diabetes and weight-loss drugs that are now growing in popularity globally, is their effect on eating patterns. High-fat snack foods are off the table, and there is some discussion about what it will do to the confectionery market. Tom Bailey, a senior analyst for consumer foods at RaboResearch observes, anti-obesity medications (AOMs) will continue to grow rapidly in 2025, with AOM users eating 20 to 30 fewer calories, and also leaning towards protein, vegetables and fruits (versus higher fat and more highly processed products). He says the market for these drugs is expected to reach US$200 billion by the end of the decade. These are big numbers.
That being said, not everyone is going for them. The regular needle requirement alone would put me off. There are a lot of brave people on these drugs, in my humble opinion.
But its impact on dairy products should be profound, as consumers reach for less processed foods, and ones with higher protein impact, at lower cost. Cottage cheese is already a winner, and high protein yogurt is also seeing a surge, according to Julian Mellentin of New Nutrition News. He observes, “Sales of high protein dairy yogurt have surged in the UK. The biggest Greek yogurt brand, Fage, enjoyed a 40% jump in sales to a total of £105 million, while Arla Dairy‘s protein business was up by 25% to £77 million.” This amounts to 12.5% by value and 7.5% by volume increases for yogurt, while cottage cheese has soared 20.8% by value and 13.3% by volume in the British market, he adds.
So, exciting times for the dairy industry. Once again, the combination of high value, high nutrition and lower cost is proving to be a winner for the sector.
- Suzanne Christiansen, editor, Dairy Industries International.
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