Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products

in Colombia
Euromonitor International
September 2019
YOGHURT AND SOUR MILK PRODUCTS IN COLOMBIA Passport i

LIST OF CONTENTS AND TABLES

Headlines ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Prospects ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Health Positioning and New Consumption Occasions Offer Way To Faster Growth ................ 1
Free From Lactose Versions Enhance Yoghurt’s Health Positioning........................................ 1
Newer Varieties Add Dynamism To Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products....................................... 2
Competitive Landscape ................................................................................................................ 2
Alpina Seeks To Consolidate by Building Brand Awareness .................................................... 2
El Pomar Grows Value Sales Via Image and Distribution Developments ................................. 2
Grupo Gloria Seeks Wider Reach for New Yoghurt and Kumis References ............................. 2
Category Data .............................................................................................................................. 3
Table 1 Sales of Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products by Category: Volume 2014-
2019 ............................................................................................................. 3
Table 2 Sales of Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products by Category: Value 2014-
2019 ............................................................................................................. 3
Table 3 Sales of Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products by Category: % Volume
Growth 2014-2019 ....................................................................................... 3
Table 4 Sales of Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products by Category: % Value
Growth 2014-2019 ....................................................................................... 4
Table 5 Sales of Flavoured Yoghurt by Flavour: Rankings 2014-2019 ..................... 4
Table 6 NBO Company Shares of Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products: % Value
2015-2019 .................................................................................................... 4
Table 7 LBN Brand Shares of Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products: % Value 2016-
2019 ............................................................................................................. 5
Table 8 Distribution of Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products by Format: % Value
2014-2019 .................................................................................................... 5
Table 9 Forecast Sales of Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products by Category:
Volume 2019-2024 ....................................................................................... 6
Table 10 Forecast Sales of Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products by Category: Value
2019-2024 .................................................................................................... 6
Table 11 Forecast Sales of Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products by Category: %
Volume Growth 2019-2024 .......................................................................... 7
Table 12 Forecast Sales of Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products by Category: %
Value Growth 2019-2024 ............................................................................. 7

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YOGHURT AND SOUR MILK PRODUCTS IN COLOMBIA Passport 1

YOGHURT AND SOUR MILK

PRODUCTS IN COLOMBIA
HEADLINES
▪ In 2019 retail sales grow by 2% in current value terms and 1% in volume terms to reach
COP1.4 trillion and 178,000 tonnes
▪ Health positioning and new consumption occasions offer potential growth opportunities
▪ Sour milk products posts the highest retail current value growth of 6% in 2019
▪ The average retail current unit price rises by 1% in 2019
▪ Alpina Productos Alimenticios dominates yoghurt and sour milk products in 2019
▪ Value sales are expected to rise at a 5% current value CAGR (2% 2019 constant value
CAGR) over 2019-2024

PROSPECTS

Health Positioning and New Consumption Occasions Offer Way To

Faster Growth
Yoghurt is seeing slightly faster retail volume and value growth in 2019, compared with 2018,
although rates remained low-to-moderate. In Colombia, yoghurt has low penetration. It is mostly
consumed as a snack and rarely on other occasions, such as breakfast. Innovation is often
insignificant, and many new launches are unsuccessful, as they are strongly linked to traditional
flavours and presentations. In general, children prefer yoghurt without fruit pieces while adults
tend to favour smooth yoghurt. However, this offers opportunities for companies to develop their
product portfolios and expand consumption moments. If consumption habits do not change
significantly, retail volume growth is likely to remain low-to-moderate.
One way to drive consumption is to raise awareness of the potential health benefits of
yoghurt. Moreover, yoghurt is increasingly used as an added-value ingredient for sweet biscuits,
breakfast cereals and even jellies. Thus, manufacturers are expected to step-up their attempts
to position yoghurt and products containing yoghurt within the health and wellness trend and
leverage key elements like probiotics. In addition, the positioning of many brands, including
Alpina’s Finesse and Colanta’s Slight, as healthy and versatile is predicted to grow awareness
of more consumption occasions for yoghurt. For example, yoghurt is consumed increasingly as
a healthy snack, especially spoonable varieties, and as a complement for other products and
meals.

Free From Lactose Versions Enhance Yoghurt’s Health Positioning

FF yoghurt continues to struggle to grow demand in 2019. This is partly due to exit of key
brands like Vaalia and Activia, with no key new competitors filling the void. Functionality remains
focused on the immune system and digestive health, with no significant innovation on the
horizon. Many consumers prefer to obtain benefits for the immune system from vitamins.
Moreover, most consumers believe that standard yoghurt is inherently beneficial for the correct
functioning of the digestive system, which dampens interest in FF yoghurt.
Nonetheless, there is a move towards the novelty of free from lactose yoghurt in particular,
but also reduced fat yoghurt and NH sour milk drinks. As health and wellness awareness

© Euromonitor International
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continues to grow in Colombia, all types of HW yoghurt and sour milk products are expected to
gain traction in the short to medium term. The arrival of free from lactose yoghurt and the
expansion of reduced fat and FF probiotic yoghurts from Alpina Productos Alimenticios and
Cooperativa Lechera Colanta, among others, should consolidate yoghurt’s positioning as a key
health and wellness category in Colombia.

Newer Varieties Add Dynamism To Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products

Both yoghurt and sour milk products have seen the entry of new varieties. Greek yoghurt is
becoming increasingly popular as it is perceived to offer a good source of protein and low fat
content. The success of Greek yoghurt is encouraging smaller players like Sketos, Zorba and
Deja-Mu to enter the fray. Regular yoghurt with added protein is absent in the country, as the
high cost of protein limits development. Instead, Sketos has launched a yoghurt-type beverage
made from almonds, with added probiotics, but no added sugar. This novelty is likely to prove
an interesting option for many consumers following vegan lifestyles.
In terms of sour milk products, Colombians are familiar with kumis, a traditional fermented
product. This is the most important option in sour milk products, and Parmalat Colombia has
recently launched fruit-flavoured kumis. Meanwhile, Productos Lácteos Pasco has introduced
kefir, a traditional Middle Eastern preparation that is like kumis, but with higher acidity.
Manufacturers are making these moves in an attempt to add dynamism to a stable, but
important dairy category in Colombia.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Alpina Seeks To Consolidate by Building Brand Awareness

Traditional dairy companies Alpina Productos Alimenticios and Cooperativa Lechera Colanta
continue to occupy the top rankings. Alpina aims to consolidate its dominance in the category by
building brand awareness. For example, one of its latest advertising campaigns featured the
world-recognised and highly popular Colombian football player Radamel Falcao García and his
family. Alpina is also focusing on the development and promotion of Finesse, its reduced fat
line, with strong advertising targeting mainly females who want to maintain healthy eating habits,
but still enjoy flavoursome products. Similarly, Cooperativa Lechera Colanta is trying develop its
health positioning with Slight reduced fat yoghurt. Meanwhile, significant brands like Nutriday by
Groupe Danone are disappearing from the market. The French company exited the country in
2018, although the La Alquería brand has remained.

El Pomar Grows Value Sales Via Image and Distribution Developments

Industria Pasteurizadora y Lechera El Pomar has invested heavily in production facilities and
revamping the image and presentation of its brands and products. The new image reflects more
artisanal and natural concepts. The company is also increasing its presence in the modern
grocery channel by entering large chained supermarkets and hard discounters and e-commerce
through platforms like Merqueo. The player is betting on e-commerce and large modern grocery
retailing to position itself strongly in the capital and surrounding areas and thrive in the
competitive environment from 2019.

Grupo Gloria Seeks Wider Reach for New Yoghurt and Kumis
References
The Peruvian enterprise Grupo Gloria entered Colombia in 2004 with the acquisition of the
domestic company Algarra. Until 2018, Algarra was the player’s only yoghurt brand, with

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YOGHURT AND SOUR MILK PRODUCTS IN COLOMBIA Passport 3

distribution limited mainly to central Colombia. However, in 2018, the Gloria brand launched
numerous dairy references, including yoghurt and kumis. Distribution remains one of the biggest
challenges to the Gloria brand. Therefore, the company is focused on overcoming its distribution
limitations to reach Pacific, West, Antioquia and Coffee Axis areas and move closer to
nationwide coverage. On the other hand, the future of the Algarra is unclear.

CATEGORY DATA
Table 1 Sales of Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products by Category: Volume 2014-2019

'000 tonnes
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Sour Milk Products 6.8 6.8 6.9 7.1 7.5 7.6

Yoghurt 166.2 166.0 166.3 166.6 168.2 170.3
- Drinking Yoghurt 132.6 132.5 133.3 133.7 135.3 137.1
- Flavoured Yoghurt 26.4 26.9 26.8 27.1 27.3 27.8
- Plain Yoghurt 7.1 6.6 6.2 5.8 5.6 5.5
Yoghurt and Sour Milk 173.0 172.8 173.2 173.7 175.6 178.0
Products
Source: Euromonitor International from official statistics, trade associations, trade press, company research,
store checks, trade interviews, trade sources

Table 2 Sales of Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products by Category: Value 2014-2019

COP billion
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Sour Milk Products 48.2 50.3 62.4 66.1 71.4 75.5

Yoghurt 1,116.5 1,180.0 1,244.8 1,307.0 1,316.1 1,345.9
- Drinking Yoghurt 783.8 830.4 881.8 928.7 958.5 997.9
- Flavoured Yoghurt 261.5 280.8 294.8 311.2 294.6 287.5
- Plain Yoghurt 71.2 68.9 68.2 67.0 62.9 60.4
Yoghurt and Sour Milk 1,164.7 1,230.3 1,307.1 1,373.1 1,387.5 1,421.4
Products
Source: Euromonitor International from official statistics, trade associations, trade press, company research,
store checks, trade interviews, trade sources

Table 3 Sales of Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products by Category: % Volume Growth 2014-
2019

% volume growth
2018/19 2014-19 CAGR 2014/19 Total

Sour Milk Products 1.8 2.2 11.4

Yoghurt 1.3 0.5 2.5
- Drinking Yoghurt 1.3 0.7 3.4
- Flavoured Yoghurt 1.8 1.0 5.1
- Plain Yoghurt -2.1 -5.2 -23.4
Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products 1.3 0.6 2.8
Source: Euromonitor International from official statistics, trade associations, trade press, company research,
store checks, trade interviews, trade sources

© Euromonitor International
YOGHURT AND SOUR MILK PRODUCTS IN COLOMBIA Passport 4

Table 4 Sales of Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products by Category: % Value Growth 2014-
2019

% current value growth

2018/19 2014-19 CAGR 2014/19 Total

Sour Milk Products 5.7 9.4 56.7

Yoghurt 2.3 3.8 20.5
- Drinking Yoghurt 4.1 4.9 27.3
- Flavoured Yoghurt -2.4 1.9 10.0
- Plain Yoghurt -3.9 -3.2 -15.2
Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products 2.4 4.1 22.0
Source: Euromonitor International from official statistics, trade associations, trade press, company research,
store checks, trade interviews, trade sources

Table 5 Sales of Flavoured Yoghurt by Flavour: Rankings 2014-2019

ranking
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Strawberry 1 1 1 1 1 1
Peach 2 2 2 2 2 2
Blackberry 3 3 3 3 3 3
Source: Euromonitor International from official statistics, trade associations, trade press, company research,
store checks, trade interviews, trade sources

Table 6 NBO Company Shares of Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products: % Value 2015-2019

% retail value rsp

Company 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Alpina Productos 62.7 63.1 62.6 62.0 61.1

Alimenticios SA
Cooperativa Lechera 7.2 7.3 6.6 6.4 6.1
Colanta SA
Productos Naturales de - - - 4.1 4.2
la Sabana SA
Danone-Alqueria SA 8.0 7.9 7.7 3.3 3.3
Parmalat Colombia Ltda 3.3 3.2 3.3 2.9 2.9
Gloria Colombia SA - 5.5 6.1 2.9 2.7
Industria 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
Pasteurizadora y
Lechera El Pomar SA
Productos Lácteos El 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4
Recreo SA
Inversiones Fasulac 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3
Productos Lácteos Pasco 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.0
SA
Algarra SA 5.4 - - - -
Private Label 2.9 3.2 4.3 5.3 6.0
Others 8.8 8.0 7.8 11.4 12.3
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Source: Euromonitor International from official statistics, trade associations, trade press, company research,
store checks, trade interviews, trade sources

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Table 7 LBN Brand Shares of Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products: % Value 2016-2019

% retail value rsp

Brand (GBO) Company (NBO) 2016 2017 2018 2019

Yogo Yogo Alpina Productos 17.6 17.1 17.3 17.1

Alimenticios SA
Alpina Alpina Productos 19.0 18.4 17.7 17.0
Alimenticios SA
Bonyurt Alpina Productos 13.3 13.8 13.3 13.1
Alimenticios SA
Regeneris Alpina Productos 6.1 6.0 6.1 6.1
Alimenticios SA
Colanta Cooperativa Lechera 7.1 6.5 6.2 6.0
Colanta SA
Finesse Alpina Productos 4.7 4.7 5.0 5.1
Alimenticios SA
Actigest Productos Naturales de - - 4.1 4.2
la Sabana SA
Nutriday (Danone, Danone-Alqueria SA 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3
Groupe)
Parmalat (Lactalis, Parmalat Colombia Ltda 3.0 3.1 2.9 2.9
Groupe)
Algarra (Gloria SA, Gloria Colombia SA 5.5 6.1 2.9 2.7
Grupo)
Yox Alpina Productos 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.6
Alimenticios SA
El Pomar Industria 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
Pasteurizadora y
Lechera El Pomar SA
El Recreo Productos Lácteos El 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4
Recreo SA
Superior Inversiones Fasulac 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3
Super Boom Cooperativa Lechera 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2
Colanta SA
Pasco Productos Lácteos Pasco SA 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.0
Activia (Danone, Danone-Alqueria SA 4.6 4.4 - -
Groupe)
Vaalia (Lactalis, Parmalat Colombia Ltda 0.2 0.2 - -
Groupe)
Algarra (Gloria SA, Algarra SA - - - -
Grupo)
Parmalat (Parmalat Parmalat Colombia Ltda - - - -
Group)
Vaalia (Parmalat Parmalat Colombia Ltda - - - -
Group)
Private label Private Label 3.2 4.3 5.3 6.0
Others Others 8.0 7.8 11.4 12.3
Total Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Source: Euromonitor International from official statistics, trade associations, trade press, company research,
store checks, trade interviews, trade sources

Table 8 Distribution of Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products by Format: % Value 2014-2019

% retail value rsp

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

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Store-Based Retailing 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

- Grocery Retailers 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
-- Modern Grocery 47.7 48.0 48.1 48.0 48.1 48.3
Retailers
--- Convenience Stores 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.7
--- Discounters 2.1 2.4 2.7 3.1 3.4 3.8
--- Forecourt Retailers - - - - - -
--- Hypermarkets 25.2 25.7 25.5 25.3 25.2 25.2
--- Supermarkets 20.0 19.5 19.4 19.0 18.8 18.7
-- Traditional Grocery 52.2 51.9 51.9 52.0 51.9 51.6
Retailers
--- Food/drink/tobacco - - - - - -
specialists
--- Independent Small 52.2 51.9 51.9 52.0 51.9 51.6
Grocers
--- Other Grocery - - - - - -
Retailers
- Non-Grocery Specialists - - - - - -
-- Health and Beauty - - - - - -
Specialist Retailers
-- Other Foods Non- - - - - - -
Grocery Specialists
- Mixed Retailers - - - - - -
Non-Store Retailing 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
- Vending - - - - - -
- Homeshopping - - - - - -
- Internet Retailing 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
- Direct Selling - - - - - -
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Source: Euromonitor International from official statistics, trade associations, trade press, company research,
store checks, trade interviews, trade sources

Table 9 Forecast Sales of Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products by Category: Volume 2019-
2024

'000 tonnes
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

Sour Milk Products 7.6 7.8 7.8 7.9 8.0 8.0

Yoghurt 170.3 172.3 174.0 175.5 176.8 177.6
- Drinking Yoghurt 137.1 138.7 140.1 141.4 142.5 143.2
- Flavoured Yoghurt 27.8 28.2 28.6 28.9 29.2 29.3
- Plain Yoghurt 5.5 5.4 5.3 5.2 5.1 5.0
Yoghurt and Sour Milk 178.0 180.0 181.9 183.5 184.8 185.6
Products
Source: Euromonitor International from trade associations, trade press, company research, trade interviews,
trade sources

Table 10 Forecast Sales of Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products by Category: Value 2019-
2024

COP billion
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

Sour Milk Products 75.5 77.0 78.1 79.0 79.7 80.2

Yoghurt 1,345.9 1,364.3 1,386.9 1,409.7 1,433.7 1,457.7
- Drinking Yoghurt 997.9 1,020.0 1,040.8 1,060.2 1,079.2 1,096.8

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- Flavoured Yoghurt 287.5 285.1 287.6 291.2 295.7 301.2

- Plain Yoghurt 60.4 59.2 58.5 58.4 58.9 59.7
Yoghurt and Sour Milk 1,421.4 1,441.3 1,465.0 1,488.7 1,513.4 1,537.9
Products
Source: Euromonitor International from trade associations, trade press, company research, trade interviews,
trade sources

Table 11 Forecast Sales of Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products by Category: % Volume
Growth 2019-2024

% volume growth
2019/20 2019-24 CAGR 2019/24 Total

Sour Milk Products 1.6 1.0 5.1

Yoghurt 1.2 0.8 4.3
- Drinking Yoghurt 1.2 0.9 4.5
- Flavoured Yoghurt 1.6 1.1 5.4
- Plain Yoghurt -1.9 -1.6 -7.7
Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products 1.2 0.8 4.3
Source: Euromonitor International from trade associations, trade press, company research, trade interviews,
trade sources

Table 12 Forecast Sales of Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products by Category: % Value
Growth 2019-2024

% constant value growth

2019/2020 2019-24 CAGR 2019/24 Total

Sour Milk Products 2.0 1.2 6.2

Yoghurt 1.4 1.6 8.3
- Drinking Yoghurt 2.2 1.9 9.9
- Flavoured Yoghurt -0.9 0.9 4.8
- Plain Yoghurt -2.1 -0.2 -1.2
Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products 1.4 1.6 8.2
Source: Euromonitor International from trade associations, trade press, company research, trade interviews,
trade sources

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