Western Europe

Butter benefited from the first year of home seclusion during the pandemic, with retail sales climbing as consumers cooked and baked more frequently at home. While retail volume sales continue to decline in 2023 following a notable drop the previous…

The consumption of butter and spreads continues to normalise in 2023, following the heightened demand witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Finns cooked and ate more at home. In addition, unit prices increased in 2022 and continued to do so at…

Baby food continues to recover from the pandemic-related disruptions observed in 2020. Retail volume growth is evident across milk formula and other baby food categories as busy local parents have less time to prepare food at home, and demand safe…

A low birth rate is behind the continuing decline of baby food sales in Spain in 2023. Spain’s birth rate is being negatively affected by economic challenges and changes in social and cultural norms. Traditional expectations of having a large family…

Retail volume sales of baby food saw modest growth in 2023, continuing the trend of the previous year. Demand for milk formula in Portugal is strongly dependant on professional guidance. Consumers first make contact with medical professionals at the…

The low birth rate in Greece is a challenge for retail volume sales of baby food. While the price hikes in 2022 and 2023 meant that baby food is set to record a positive current retail value growth, parents are finding it difficult to afford. As…

The recovery of baby food’s retail volume sales, evident in 2022, is expected to continue throughout 2023, albeit at slower growth rates. The category’s resilient performance is set to be fuelled by a partial return to pre-pandemic mobility patterns.…

The birth rate in France continues to fall, thereby negatively impacting retail sales of baby food. A marginal boost was expected post-pandemic, but the birth rate is now at its lowest rate since 1946, according to French National Statistics body…

Due to inflation and growing production costs, baby food saw unit prices increase. While slow birth rates continue, the convenience and popularity of feeding babies with prepared baby food in Finland is driving sales. Parents reach for convenient…

With the cost of living pressures remaining a cause for concern in 2023, less-essential products like yoghurts are being overlooked in the weekly shop. The switch to private labels and economy brands has also accelerated, with Danes paying more…

Yoghurt and sour milk products are set to register a moderate performance in 2023, with rising retail value sales. Yoghurt, which includes plain yoghurts, flavoured yoghurts and drinking yoghurts, generates the lion’s share of sales. Flavoured…

Following a period of phenomenal sales growth in plant-based dairy in Denmark during the COVID-19 pandemic, retail volume sales of plant-based dairy have slowed in 2022 and 2023. High-priced plant-based products have suffered due to rapidly growing…

In 2023, plant-based dairy is set to perform well, with average unit prices remaining relatively stable. The demand for plant-based products continues as more and more consumers take an interest in animal welfare, the environment and health.…

Other dairy continues to suffer in 2023 with retail volume sales declining even as price inflation recedes. Chilled dairy desserts and flavoured fromage frais/ quark have suffered the most from high inflation, as these are perceived as high-priced…

Other dairy is set to record a stable performance in terms of current retail value and volume sales in 2023. Although average unit prices have remained stable during 2023, they continue to be at a high level. As consumers have less money to spend,…

Drinking milk products continued to register declining volume sales in 2023 as increasing numbers of Danish consumers reduced their consumption of cows’ milk and the long-term negative growth trends continued to plague the category. As consumer…

Drinking milk products are set to record a moderate performance in 2023. Retail volume sales will register a stagnant performance, as current retail value sales of overall drinking milk products decline compared to 2022, as average unit prices of…

Following the unprecedented price hikes seen in dairy and alternatives in 2022, retail prices have fallen slightly in 2023. Consumption levels have improved compared to the previous year, but retail prices remain high, with global and European stock…

Dairy products and alternatives is set to record stagnant current retail value sales in 2023, while dairy continues to generate the bulk of sales. With the health and wellness trend rising, dairy products benefit from generally being considered…

Cheese retail prices have started to fall in 2023, following the sharp spike in the previous year, leading to a slight recovery in retail volume sales. Dairy leader Arla Foods has begun to lower prices, with supermarkets and competitors following its…