Drinkable Yogurt Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Drinkable Yogurt Market is projected to expand from USD 40.32 Billion in 2025 to USD 53.17 Billion by 2031, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.72%. These liquid dairy beverages are produced through milk fermentation using live bacterial cultures and are frequently enhanced with vitamins, minerals, and probiotics to provide the benefits of traditional yogurt in a portable form. Market growth is primarily driven by increasing consumer focus on immunity and digestive health, which has fueled the demand for functional, probiotic-rich products. Additionally, the fast-paced nature of modern life has generated a significant need for convenient, nutritious options suitable for on-the-go snacking or meal replacement. This appetite for healthy dairy is particularly strong in emerging regions; for instance, the International Dairy Federation reported a 7% increase in yogurt sales in South Africa in 2024.

Despite this positive trajectory, the market encounters significant obstacles related to distribution infrastructure and cold chain logistics. Maintaining specific refrigeration temperatures throughout the entire supply chain is essential to preserve product stability and probiotic viability, yet this requirement entails high operational expenses and restricts market reach in developing regions lacking robust cold storage facilities. Consequently, these logistical complexities act as a substantial barrier, hindering universal market expansion and accessibility.

Market Drivers

Growing consumer awareness regarding immunity and digestive health acts as the primary catalyst for the global drinkable yogurt market. Modern shoppers increasingly perceive these beverages as functional aids for microbiome maintenance rather than simple refreshments, boosting sales for brands that highlight probiotic efficacy. This demand for wellness-oriented products is reflected in recent industry performance; according to Danone's 'Q3 2024 Sales' press release from October 2024, their Essential Dairy and Plant-based (EDP) division realized a 4.1% like-for-like sales increase, fueled by the resilience of functional brands. Further demonstrating the demand for high-potency formulations targeting stress and gut health, Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. reported in their 'Integrated Report 2024' from September 2024 that daily sales of the Yakult 1000 series leaped from 420,000 to 3.19 million bottles.

Concurrently, the rising demand for non-dairy and plant-based alternatives is transforming the competitive environment. Motivated by eco-conscious values and lactose intolerance, manufacturers are developing oat, soy, and almond-based products that mimic the texture of traditional fermentation, opening new revenue streams despite inflation and saturation in conventional categories. According to the Good Food Institute's '2023 Plant-Based Foods State of the Marketplace Report' released in May 2024, dollar sales for plant-based yogurt in the United States grew by 1%, marking a rebound within a difficult retail landscape. This trend forces dairy incumbents to broaden their supply chains, ensuring non-dairy drinkable options are as readily available as bovine products to capture the expanding flexitarian consumer base.

Market Challenges

The expansion of the Global Drinkable Yogurt Market is significantly constrained by the stringent demands of cold chain logistics and insufficient distribution infrastructure in critical growth regions. Drinkable yogurts, particularly those enriched with live probiotic cultures, require rigorous temperature control from manufacture to consumption to prevent spoilage and maintain bacterial viability. In developing markets with burgeoning demand, the lack of dependable electricity and refrigerated transportation networks often disrupts this supply chain. Such logistical fragility leads to significant product waste and quality degradation, effectively blocking manufacturers from accessing extensive geographic areas where retail settings lack adequate cold storage capabilities.

Moreover, the financial burden associated with maintaining precise temperature controls creates a severe barrier to market scalability. The substantial energy and maintenance expenses necessary for specialized transport fleets and warehousing directly reduce profit margins and increase the final retail price of the beverages. According to the Global Cold Chain Alliance, total expenses for refrigerated warehouses rose by 4.69% in the fourth quarter of the prior year, as noted in 2025. These rising operational costs compel companies to apply premium pricing to their products, significantly restricting mass adoption in price-sensitive emerging economies and limiting the sector's overall volume growth.

Market Trends

High-protein fortified formulations are reshaping the market as consumers prioritize muscle maintenance and satiety over mere refreshment. Producers are designing liquid dairy products with increased protein-to-calorie ratios to appeal to fitness enthusiasts and those looking for meal replacements that provide sustained energy throughout the day. This evolution transcends basic nutrition, positioning drinkable yogurt as a specialized performance aid that rivals synthetic protein shakes while boasting a cleaner ingredient profile. The commercial success of this shift is evident in the rapid growth of protein-focused lines in established markets; for instance, Arla Foods reported in their 'Annual Report 2024' from February 2025 that volumes for the Arla Protein brand surged by 36.0% over the fiscal year, far exceeding standard category results.

Simultaneously, product positioning supportive of GLP-1 therapies has emerged as a crucial area of innovation, addressing the specific nutritional requirements of consumers utilizing semaglutide-based weight-loss drugs. These individuals often need low-volume, nutrient-dense options to mitigate muscle loss and soothe gastrointestinal side effects linked to the treatment. Accordingly, brands are adjusting their portfolios to emphasize essential nutrients and high-density probiotics that foster nutritional adequacy and digestive comfort during times of suppressed appetite. This strategic adaptation to pharmaceutical weight management trends is yielding significant financial gains; as reported by Dairy Foods Magazine in the November 2025 article 'Lifeway Foods achieves most sales in company history', third-quarter net sales hit $57.1 million, a 24.0% rise directly credited to the growing demand for products that complement GLP-1 medication usage.

Key Players Profiled in the Drinkable Yogurt Market

• Danone S.A.
• Nestle S.A.
• General Mills Inc.
• Chobani Global Holdings, LLC
• Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd.
• Lactalis Group
• Benecol Limited
• Arla Foods Group
• Archway Food Group
• Morinaga Nutritional Foods, Inc.

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Drinkable Yogurt Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Drinkable Yogurt Market, by Product Type:

• Dairy Based
• Non-Dairy Based

Drinkable Yogurt Market, by Flavor:

• Flavored
• Non-Flavored

Drinkable Yogurt Market, by Packaging:

• Bottles
• Tetra Packs
• Others (Cans
• Pouches)

Drinkable Yogurt Market, by Distribution Channel:

• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
• Convenience Stores
• Departmental Stores
• Online
• Non-Retail

Drinkable Yogurt Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Drinkable Yogurt Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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