Market Trends of Global UHT Milk Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the UHT Milk Market according to our research experts:
Increasing Demand of Convenient and Nutritious Milk
As consumer demand for healthy and convenient food products increases, UHT milk, or long-life milk, continues to drive the market. Furthermore, factors contributing to the increased penetration of UHT milk across households include increasing urbanization, which has induced a fast-paced lifestyle among consumers, making it easier for them to buy packaged food and beverages. Furthermore, there has been an increase in the number of expats settling in the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates, among other places, in recent years.Moreover, the countries studied have been witnessing increased tourism. Therefore, this factor is also increasing the demand for convenient UHT milk, as consumers are looking for products with a longer shelf life and easy-to-use properties.
The UHT process retains all of the nutrients in milk and allows it to be stored at room temperature for extended periods without preservatives. In response to the growing demand for convenient and nutritious options, various companies have developed a line of UHT milk products enriched with vitamins and minerals to meet nutritional requirements for bodily functions. Lactose-free variants are also available, which cater to the specific needs of those with lactose intolerance. For instance, in January 2021, Stonyfield Organic launched a new organic, shelf-stable or UHT, lactose-free milk. The product is available in 2% reduced-fat chocolate milk and 2% reduced-fat plain milk. Furthermore, UHT milk is more convenient to use than regular fluid milk because it does not need refrigeration or heating before use, contributing to its popularity among young working people.
North America holds a Prominent Share in the UHT Milk Market
The increasing consumer preference for on-the-go consumption in the North American region, with limited refrigeration space, leads them to purchase UHT milk as it has a long shelf life. In the United States, the demand for UHT milk is primarily driven by the adoption of UHT milk in the form of skimmed milk and lactose-free variants. A significant percentage of milk sold in the region as organic food is UHT-treated. In California, the State Department of Health Services issued UHT processes for milk. Such involvement of regulatory bodies has, therefore, boosted consumers' trust in the product, thus propelling the growth of the market. Furthermore, the rising number of coffee shops, restaurants, bars, and other food service channels has increased the demand for UHT milk in the region. Additionally, the demand for lactose-free milk is growing as the number of lactose-intolerant people in the region increases. According to ProCon.Org data from 2022, Canada has 59% and the United States has 36% of the lactose-intolerant population. Over the medium term, demand for UHT milk is expected to grow owing to its convenience and longer storage than conventional milk.
