Tetra Pak has entered the growing category of ambient drinking yoghurt with its aseptic packages.
This type of product, which requires no refrigeration, now accounts for 13 per cent of China's yoghurt category and is expected to achieve sales of almost A$8 billion by the end of 2017.
Launched in 2010, the success of ambient drinking yoghurt has been driven by demand for convenience, taste and nutrition. It offers similar nutritional value as fermented chilled yoghurt and can be consumed on the go without refrigeration.
Since the launch of China's ambient yoghurt brand Mosili’an, which Tetra Pak developed with its customer Bright Dairy in 2010, 13 dairy producers have entered the Chinese sector with Tetra Pak processing lines.
Tetra Pak's Dan Björklund said the product formulation of ambient drinking yoghurt needed to be smooth and stable throughout its shelf life while preserving the fresh taste of yoghurt.
“This requires a distinct product formulation and processing procedure,” he said.
“It's the same as chilled yoghurt in the initial stages, but needs heat treatment and aseptic filling after fermentation to ensure the viscosity and shelf life is maintained for several months.
Tetra Pak’s Tetra Prisma Aseptic packages are roll-fed and octagonal in shape, offering volumes from 125 ml to 1000 ml with a variety of openings.
Brand owners can add a metallised effect to the package and make use of the eight sides to create a unique brand identity.
The aseptic packs are made mainly from a renewable source and are available with Forest Stewardship Council certified packaging material, ensuring the wood fibre is sourced from responsibly managed forests.
Cheers to drinking yoghurt
Food market research company Canadean says the drinking yoghurt market in China has been boosted by sustained investment and a new demand for healthier drinks ‘on the go’.
Drinking yoghurt is expected to become the third most consumed dairy drink in China by 2016, as the volume consumption of drinking yoghurt will exceed flavoured milk as well as grain, nut, rice and seed milk alternative drinks.
Since 2013, major dairy production companies have been building up alliances and working together with dairy farmers to boost growth in the Chinese dairy industry.
Bright Dairy has been dominating the ambient yoghurt drinks category for several years with its Momchilovtsi brand, which launched in China in 2008.
