Yoghurt market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the yogurt market volume grew from 62 039 tons to 71 556 tons. This expansion was primarily driven by technological innovations, including the adoption of concentrated milk as an ingredient and a shift to low-temperature concentration techniques like membrane filtration, which enabled broader product development. Rising consumer demand for healthy options and a wider variety of flavors also supported market growth. The pace slowed in 2020 as the chilled yogurt segment faced a downturn, leading companies to adjust their product offerings and marketing approaches.

A sharp contraction followed, with the market volume dropping to 28 893 tons by 2023. This decline was closely tied to an intense price war among major brands, where even premium players engaged in heavy discounting, compressing market value. At the same time, a significant fall in raw milk prices caused substantial losses for dairy farms, accelerating industry consolidation and a reduction in production capacity. Consumers simultaneously became more rational, prioritizing nutritional value, health attributes, and price-quality alignment, which further pressured overall consumption.

Entering 2024, new national standards that allow concentrated milk in yogurt and lower acidity requirements aimed to stimulate product innovation. The chilled yogurt segment began to recover, supported by the structural growth of online sales channels and persistent health trends. However, fierce price competition continued, and the industry faced ongoing challenges such as overcapacity, declining dairy imports, and the rapid but fragmented expansion of made-to-order yogurt stores, which exceeded 23 000 outlets.

Production yoghurt in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of yoghurt, 2017-2020

World map of production of yoghurt, 2017-2020

Yoghurt production in Eastern Asia has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 36 119 tonnes of yoghurt, marking an 11.3% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 19.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of yoghurt production in Eastern Asia has also increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 61 131 thousand US dollars, showing a strong 21.9% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 39%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 11.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports yoghurt from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, yoghurt exports from Eastern Asia saw a decline. In 2020, exports amounted to 10 622 tonnes, representing a modest 6.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 39.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.8%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 11 310 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 32.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Australia, and Canada were the primary markets for yoghurt exports from Eastern Asia in volume terms. The United States accounted for 37.7% of exports, Australia for 13.2%, and Canada for 6.7%. Together, these three countries represented 57.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Yoghurt exports from Eastern Asia in value terms have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 17 977 thousand US dollars, up by 2.9% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 62.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 17.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the country structure of yoghurt exports in value terms was highly diversified. The United States accounted for 21.6% of export value, Australia for 10.2%, and Singapore for 6.4%. Combined, these three markets made up only 38.2% of total flows, with the remaining 61.8% coming from a wide range of smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports yoghurt to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, yoghurt imports into Eastern Asia decreased. In 2020, the region imported 47 846 tonnes of yoghurt, which is 7.8% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 12.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.1%. The peak import volume was in 2019 at 47 846 tonnes, and the largest year-on-year increase also occurred in 2019 at 20.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland were the leading suppliers of yoghurt to Eastern Asia in volume terms. Germany accounted for 56.1% of imports, Austria for 6.1%, and Switzerland for 4.4%. Together, these three countries made up 66.6% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of gains, yoghurt imports into Eastern Asia in value terms declined. In 2020, imports totaled 97 841 thousand US dollars, showing a slight 1.0% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 14.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.5%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 98 878 thousand US dollars, and the largest year-on-year increase also occurred in 2019 at 8.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany, Switzerland, and the United States played key roles in yoghurt imports to Eastern Asia in value terms. Germany accounted for 40.5% of import value, Switzerland for 7.8%, and the United States for 6.5%. Collectively, these three countries represented 54.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020