From pasture to plate
Image: Bord Bia
Celebrating dairy’s enduring influence in the UK food industry with Bord Bia
In today’s ever-evolving food landscape, where nourishing the family and making the right nutritional choices intertwine with taste and sustainability to shape consumer choices, dairy emerges as a steadfast choice. Amid the flux of shifting dietary trends and mounting environmental concerns, it maintains its stature as a symbol of tradition and innovation.
Bord Bia’s recent report, “The Future of Dairy UK,” sheds light on the enduring loyalty of UK consumers towards dairy, underscoring its pivotal role across various demographics. The report highlights dairy’s appeal in terms of taste, naturalness, and nutritional value. It reveals an impressive 76 per cent of respondents acknowledge dairy’s indispensable role in a healthy, balanced diet, while 75 per cent celebrate dairy products as an integral part of their everyday lives, emphasising the profound place dairy holds within British culture.
Embracing change
The industry’s resilience lies not only in its capacity to adapt but also in its proactive embrace of change. Four pivotal trends, as identified in Bord Bia’s report, underscore the industry’s dynamic response to evolving consumer preferences:
- Progressive nostalgia: A fusion of tradition and innovation, this ethos resonates deeply with consumers seeking familiar comforts with a contemporary twist. Trustworthy heritage and product naturalness play pivotal roles in this dynamic. The assurance of quality and authenticity, coupled with a commitment to natural ingredients and processes, keeps dairy products firmly in the customers’ dietary repertoire. The Future of Dairy UK report reveals that 93 per cent of consumers buy dairy or dairy alternatives weekly, highlighting the enduring appeal and relevance of these offerings in today’s market.
- Surprise and delight: In the dairy aisle, innovation drives excitement and satisfaction, offering diverse products that meet cravings and boost nutrition. Bord Bia’s research highlights the growing demand for novelty, urging stakeholders to push boundaries and adapt to evolving consumer expectations. Suppliers and retailers face the challenge of meeting these needs while addressing sustainability, health, and preferences. Collaboration to anticipate trends, introduce new flavours, and optimise distribution is crucial. Embracing this challenge fosters industry growth and enhances consumer loyalty.
- Alive with nature: In today’s environmentally conscious era, consumers prioritise knowing the origin of their food. Initiatives like Origin Green, Ireland’s national sustainability program, ensure transparency and confidence in the dairy supply chain. Origin Green encompasses the entire supply chain from field to fork and builds upon the Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme, with over 96 per cent of Irish dairy farms participating. These farms work towards producing the highest quality milk while implementing practical actions for improved sustainability.
As the world’s only national sustainability program, Origin Green fosters collaboration among farmers and producers, promoting environmental stewardship and quality assurance through verified proof points. This comprehensive scheme encourages nationwide collaboration to implement sustainable practices, supporting a thriving dairy industry committed to addressing environmental concerns.
- Intelligent living: The dairy industry plays a multifaceted role, going beyond mere sustenance to enrich lives through ongoing research and innovation. Embracing cutting-edge agricultural practices, dairy farms aim to amplify product benefits in line with consumers’ escalating focus on sustainability. Notably, Irish dairy farms have achieved a significant nine per cent reduction in CO2 emissions per unit of milk produced, propelled by innovative land management techniques.
While consumers are increasingly aware of and concerned about these factors, there remains a crucial need for further education to underscore dairy’s positive impact on sustainable agriculture and foster informed decision-making for a healthier environment.
Furthermore, consumer demographics wield considerable influence over the dairy market landscape. Older demographics, aged 44 and above, show a higher propensity to purchase dairy products, whereas younger demographics exhibit a more flexitarian approach, presenting an opportunity for the industry to re-engage younger consumers by perpetuating innovation and generating excitement around dairy offerings.
Looking ahead
As we navigate the dynamic food landscape, the resilience and adaptability of dairy stand as a testament to its enduring legacy and promise for the future. By learning from consumer feedback and remaining attuned to evolving preferences, the dairy industry can continue to carve its path towards a brighter future, ensuring that this cherished staple continues to thrive for generations to come.
