Western Europe

Dairy products and alternatives in Belgium posted only marginal volume growth in 2024, demonstrating a stronger performance after three years of volume decline. Following the sharp price hikes in 2023 linked to milk production, average unit prices…

The market for dairy products and alternatives in Italy is projected to see modest growth in total volume terms in 2024. Despite a significant reduction in inflation compared to previous years, consumers are still grappling with elevated prices which…

Retail prices of drinking milk products in Belgium reported record price increases in 2023, but these prices started to ease during 2024 in line with lower inflation. Consumers have responded well to lower prices leading to marginal volume growth in…

The market for drinking milk products in Italy is set to register a fairly static performance in 2024, continuing the trend of the previous year. This will be within the context of a decline in demand for fresh milk, which has been characterised by…

The health and wellness industry continues to gain greater significance overall, particularly in the wake of the pandemic, as consumers have become more cognisant of the negative impact of processed food and a range of drinks on their health and…

A key development in health and wellness trends across national markets and product packaged food categories at the end of the review period was the increasing alignment of health concerns with ethical considerations around issues such as…

Although Spanish consumers still had to tighten their belts in 2023 due to high inflationary pressures, various health and wellness dairy products and alternatives witnessed growth during the year. Demand for low fat/no fat claims stabilised in 2023,…

Despite holding a low overall value sales share within Spanish hot drinks, demand for organic options rose strongly in 2023. The most significant factor limiting stronger demand for organic products is their higher price points compared to standard…

Sugar has become a primary focus of consumer health concerns in recent years, as a high sugar intake has increasingly been associated with a wide range of health issues, including type 2 diabetes and hypertension. In particular, sugary snacks have…

Sugary soft drinks have become a particularly strong focus for concerns about the rise in childhood obesity across many markets. The issue of childhood obesity is particularly pressing in Spain, with research from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III…

Child and juvenile obesity remains a significant concern in Spain, which had one of the highest rates in Europe in 2023, according to the World Health Organization. Indeed, the World Obesity Atlas 2023, a report published by the World Obesity…

In 2023, Denmark’s strong economic performance was driven by low unemployment and positive inflation trends. Looking ahead, per capita disposable income and consumer expenditure are projected to grow significantly over 2023-2028, outpacing the…

Other dairy in Belgium is feeling the benefits of falling prices and a focus on promotions in 2024. Following the sharp price rises in milk during 2023 caused by issues in the production chain, other dairy prices started to reduce in 2024. Coupled…

In 2024, the market for other dairy products in Italy is expected to register only marginal growth in retail volume terms, with performance varying across the category. For instance, cream consumption is projected to decline slightly, largely due to…

Price remained a key challenge for plant-based dairy in 2024, with consumers still remaining price sensitive in Belgium. The price differential between plant-based drinks and cow’s milk remains quite high, with plant-based positioned at a…

Plant-based dairy is thriving in Italy, fuelled by a growing focus on health and wellness. Consumers are increasingly turning to alternatives to traditional dairy, not only vegans but also those who have traditionally followed a more mainstream diet…

Volume sales of yoghurt and sour milk in Belgium continue to be impacted by high prices in 2024. This can be linked to the huge spike in milk prices during 2023, which have decreased slightly over 2024, but continue to hinder consumer demand. Many…

Yoghurt and sour milk products in Italy will see a varied performance in retail volume terms in 2224, with sour milk products and plain yoghurt being the most dynamic categories. The trend for fermented milk products, in particular, remains strong…