April 7 - According to Tetra Pak estimate, flavored milk consumption in Russia grows at a much higher pace than packed milk consumption on the whole. Flavored milk is milk with fruit, vanilla, chocolate and other flavors. In 2007 flavored milk consumption increased by 24% as compared to 2006 figures, and since 2005 the consumption growth reached the record 60%.
The increasing demand for flavored milk highlights a general trend – long-life milk is much ahead of the dairy market growth in whole. This is due first of all to an increase of personal income and an improvement of living standards, resulting in an enhanced urge towards healthy life-style and an increased consumption of quality food products in the safest possible packaging. Carton packages remain the most popular packaging for flavored milk with a market share of about 50%.
In 2007 Tetra Pak supplied 139 Mio packages for flavored milk – one package per capita. Thus, the flavored milk market has a vast potential for a future development.
Flavored milk category has an excellent innovation potential. Manufacturers are constantly focusing on expanding the product line by providing new flavors to the consumers. A demand for packaging solutions is also growing. For instance, in 2007 flavored milk in Tetra Prisma Aseptic Square octahedral 1 l packages was launched; it allows to keep products at room temperature up to 6 months.
According to Tetra Pak experts, flavored milk market will continue its dynamic development in 2008.