"Health connotations are fuelling robust growth of yogurt and yogurt drinks. Communicating meal replacement potential and protein quality can unlock further gains."
Sam Fryers, Research Analyst
The yogurt and yogurt drinks market in the UK is expected to enjoy double-digit value growth in 2025, driven by strong volume growth and rising prices. Social media shapes consumer behaviour, with 69% of 16-34 year olds using yogurt in new ways after seeing it online. This highlights the opportunity for brands to leverage digital platforms to inspire new usage occasions and position yogurt as a versatile ingredient across meals and snacks.
However, despite improvements, the market faces challenges from cautious consumer spending, with only 29% of people reporting substantial money left over at the end of the month. This has fuelled the growth of private label, which now takes a sizeable minority share of spoonable yogurt sales.
Meal replacement yogurt drinks represent a significant untapped opportunity, with 44% of consumers finding the concept appealing. By developing products that are explicitly positioned as complete meals and emphasising convenience and satiety, brands can unlock new occasions and attract a broader audience. Additionally, focusing on protein quality, this taking a priority over protein quantity for 55% of UK adults, offers a scope for differentiation in a crowded market.
For the purposes of this Report, Mintel has used the following definitions:
This Report examines the UK retail market for yogurts and yogurt drinks. Sales through foodservice establishments are excluded. The consumer research includes functional fermented milk drinks such as Yakult with cultures similar to those in products positioned as yogurt.
The market size includes spoonable yogurt, fromage frais and yogurt drinks. The product definition for yogurt drinks has been revised by Circana and now largely excludes drinkable kefir and fermented milk drinks. Sales data for yogurt drinks has been revised accordingly since the previous report.
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