2003 Ad

Dairy Foods, Jan, 2004 by Gina Kuhn

Varying seasonal preferences influenced overseas product launches in 2003. For the winter months, "comforting" flavors such as cinnamon, vanilla and caramel continue to be popular as they often reproduce nostalgic memories involving holiday parties and family gatherings. For example, Trol Milch introduced a creamy yogurt blended with pears, cinnamon and caramel under the Wintertraum label in Austria, while Campina extended its Landliebe brand by introducing a festive winter-themed yogurt in Germany with gingerbread and chocolate pieces.

To beat the cold, a few chilled products double as hot beverages, including an eggnog drink from Dairy Vale in Australia. The beverage can be warmed on the stove or in the microwave. The company is trying to extend use into the warmer months with the tagline "A nourishing year-round drink for the family. The perfect nightcap or an ideal start to the day." Nordmilch introduced a similar product in Germany, a plum, acerola and cinnamon Vitality Winter buttermilk with vitamin C, a nutrient recognized for helping fight the onslaught of winter illness.

After the spring thaw, manufacturers offer lighter flavors with a refreshed, cool feeling. Many products feature exotic fruits such as mango, passionfruit, pineapple; others include citrus accents such as lemon or orange. For example, this past spring, Hansells introduced a lime- and pineapple-flavored yogurt to the New Zealand market. And in the summer of 2003, Austria-based Onken introduced a range of seasonal yogurt products under the Fruhjahrs Vielfalt label. Flavors included Spanish lemon, Florida orange, South Sea pineapple and Pacific mango, papaya and passion fruit.

More recently, indulgent items provided the perfect ending to any meal during the gluttonous holiday season, and many consumers will continue to enjoy products such as the Tiramisu, Poppy Seed Marzipan and Vanilla Apple Strudel quark desserts from Frischli in Germany. As the warmer months of 2004 approach, expect to see more refreshing, snack-positioned products such as Coop's Betty Bossi mango and passionfruit smoothie in South Africa. The beverage is fruit puree mixed with partly skimmed sour milk. It is a cool, healthful beverage for any outdoor activity.

Contributed by Gina Kuhn, research consultant, Global New Products Database (GNPD), a division of Mintel International, a global research company. For more information call 312/932-0400, or visit www.gnpd.com.

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