However, fruit or flavoured yogurt still remained the most popular among survey participants, with 52% of consumers eating fruit or flavoured yogurt in a four-week period. Drinking yogurt or probiotic/cultured milk was being consumed by 9% of consumers.
The research was based on a survey by Roy Morgan of 18,483 Australian consumers between October 2010 and September 2011.
According to Roy Morgan figures, 6.6 million (36%) of Australians consumed natural or plain yogurt in a four-week period (during the 12 months to September 2011). This compares with 5.2 million (31% of Australians) in 2007.
According to the survey results, the most popular brands of natural or plain yogurt are Farmers Union, Jalna and Dairy Farmers.
The survey found that a majority of Australians aged 14 and over, 13.2 million (71%), consumed yogurt of some kind in the 12-month period and 11.4 million (61%) consumed yogurt in an average four-week period.
Roy Morgan Research’s Norman Morris said, “Australians seem to be turning to natural yogurt as a part of a balanced and nutritious diet. As we hear more about the health and digestive benefits of yogurt, more people are consuming this as a healthier dairy alternative.
“The research from Roy Morgan shows that dairy marketers may be well advised to focus on promoting the health benefits of natural yogurt and continue increasing its appeal to health-conscious consumers. The increasing popularity of Jalna, with its clear health and environmentally conscious branding, serves to emphasise the merit in this approach.
“With the rising interest in cooking in Australia and the important part natural yogurt plays in many international cuisines, it will be interesting to see whether natural yogurt enjoys even greater growth over the next few years.”
Source: Roy Morgan
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