The healthy halo of orange juice became a tad smudged in the last year. While the beverage continues to dominate the refrigerated juices and drinks category, dollar sales dipped 1.2% and units were down 3.2% in the 52 weeks ending April 17, according to SymphonyIRI Group, a Chicago-based market research firm.
Can you imagine anyone in the New Zealand or Australia dairy sector debating the merits of pursuing exports? Do industry participants in the Netherlands or Denmark ever ponder whether globalization is here to stay? Do they distinguish their customer base between domestic and overseas?
It used to be that cultured products were used as components of something larger - cottage cheese for casseroles, sour cream as a condiment or dips for, you guessed it, dipping. Even yogurt adds a creamy value-added touch to pastries and sweet goods.
“Dairy technology” may sound oxymoronic, given the most common connotations of technology. After all, we are an industry that has to strategize about feeding animals and what to do with their byproducts.
The updated 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans pose a tremendous challenge for some dairy processors, as they scurry to reformulate certain product lines to meet the call for healthier foods.
For the past few years, yogurt has been touted as a healthy go-to breakfast option, especially since all consumers have to do is add some granola or fruit pieces or drizzle on some honey for a better-for-you on-the-go snack.