Protein yoghurt shortage amid global trend
Supermarket shelves are running bare of protein-enhanced yoghurt as a viral social media trend drives unprecedented demand across Australian stores.
Australian supermarkets are running out of some lines of protein-enhanced yoghurt in a social media-led trend making waves internationally.
In recent weeks, both Coles and Woolworths have posted customer notices in many of their supermarket refrigerators, notifying customers of shortages with some yoghurt brands infused with protein supplements.
RaboResearch senior food retail analyst Michael Harvey said retailers were reporting double digit growth in high-protein yoghurts.
“Dairy’s protein benefits have been well-understood by nutritionists for years but it’s really taken off as a food trend both in Australia and globally,” he said.
“You’re seeing lots of product innovation, lots of category expansion into the high-protein offerings. Woolworths are reporting double digit growth in high-protein yoghurts and they’re struggling for the dairy processors to keep pace.”
Mr Harvey said the protein trend had been particularly pronounced in the United States, with some novel protein offerings in the hospitality sector driven by social media.
“Starbucks have just rolled out a protein platform where they’re offering protein shots in most of their beverages. Danone has reported significant growth in protein demand — it’s a big winner for dairy.”
Fonterra’s NZ management recently announced a $NZ75m investment into a Studholme protein hub to keep up with consumer demand both in New Zealand and abroad.
Select Equities analyst Mark Topy said consumption of dairy protein was an international phenomenon.
“In the United States, the leading dairy protein product Fairlife has now grown into a $US1bn revenue product segment, and has continued to grow at double-digits rates,” he said.
“Europe is also seeing a strong level of consumer demand for dairy protein.
Mr Topy said the protein boost trend had moved from the sports and weight builder customers into a mainstream market purchase.
He said the rise in dairy protein popularity had contributed to a reversal in the long-term per capita decline in milk consumption in several markets.
“Australia is following these trends: Protein is the fastest growing dairy category in Australia, with a range of new products including yoghurts and milk beverages,” Mr Topy said.
“The wider yoghurt category, including gut health, has seen 8.4 per cent volume growth and 10.2 per cent revenue growth in 2025, year to date.”
