Arla Foods and Solinest unveiling Arla® Skyr and Arla® Protein in the french market
Source: The DairyNews
In a bold move to expand their presence in the thriving French dairy market, European dairy cooperative Arla Foods and esteemed French distributor Solinest have joined forces in a long-term partnership. The collaboration aims to introduce two dynamic brands, Arla® Skyr and Arla® Protein, to French retail, tapping into the burgeoning consumer interest in functional health dairy products.
The decision to venture into one of Europe's largest dairy markets is fueled by the success of Arla® Skyr and Arla® Protein in other European regions. Peter Giørtz-Carlsen, Executive Vice President and Head of Arla’s European business, expresses confidence in the strategic move, stating, "We have seen great success with Arla® Skyr and Arla® Protein in other European markets, so it only makes sense to build our branded business in France and accelerate our strategic presence in the country."
Solinest, recognized for its esteemed reputation, will play a pivotal role in the partnership. Bertrand Jacoberger, Solinest’s CEO, expresses pride in the collaboration, stating, "We are proud to have been selected as a partner by Arla Foods and to build new success stories in France. Adding two new and strong brands to our portfolio in a category that we know consumers are interested in will only increase our relevance and ability to meet the consumers’ needs."
Under the agreement, Arla Foods will produce the products at its dairies in Northern Europe, while Solinest will leverage its extensive sales force to distribute them across France, covering an impressive 99 percent of the retail landscape.
The strategic move comes at a time when the dairy protein category is experiencing remarkable growth, aligning with consumer preferences for nutritional boosts in line with an active lifestyle. The category witnesses an annual growth rate of 15-20 percent globally, and the demand for dairy products supporting functional health in France is surging at a remarkable 20 percent annually.
Peter Giørtz-Carlsen anticipates continued growth in the high protein category, noting, "We see retailers across markets giving more focus to the high protein category with dedicated 'Protein Bays' and more shelf space. And we know that the category caters to a wide group of consumers and different need-states, so we expect the growth and consumer interest to continue to grow."
Arla® Protein, one of the focal brands in this venture, has demonstrated an impressive growth rate of over 50 percent compared to the previous year, with total revenue expected to surpass EUR 100 million for 2023.
Despite the highly competitive nature of the French dairy market, Arla Foods, with over two decades of activity in the country, remains optimistic about the partnership's potential for success. Giørtz-Carlsen asserts, "Yes, the competition within the dairy category is fierce in France, but I believe we have the production expertise and the consumer insights needed to succeed—especially now that we can work together with Solinest and benefit from their experience and strong position in the market."
Solinest, recognized for its esteemed reputation, will play a pivotal role in the partnership. Bertrand Jacoberger, Solinest’s CEO, expresses pride in the collaboration, stating, "We are proud to have been selected as a partner by Arla Foods and to build new success stories in France. Adding two new and strong brands to our portfolio in a category that we know consumers are interested in will only increase our relevance and ability to meet the consumers’ needs."
Under the agreement, Arla Foods will produce the products at its dairies in Northern Europe, while Solinest will leverage its extensive sales force to distribute them across France, covering an impressive 99 percent of the retail landscape.
The strategic move comes at a time when the dairy protein category is experiencing remarkable growth, aligning with consumer preferences for nutritional boosts in line with an active lifestyle. The category witnesses an annual growth rate of 15-20 percent globally, and the demand for dairy products supporting functional health in France is surging at a remarkable 20 percent annually.
Peter Giørtz-Carlsen anticipates continued growth in the high protein category, noting, "We see retailers across markets giving more focus to the high protein category with dedicated 'Protein Bays' and more shelf space. And we know that the category caters to a wide group of consumers and different need-states, so we expect the growth and consumer interest to continue to grow."
Arla® Protein, one of the focal brands in this venture, has demonstrated an impressive growth rate of over 50 percent compared to the previous year, with total revenue expected to surpass EUR 100 million for 2023.
Despite the highly competitive nature of the French dairy market, Arla Foods, with over two decades of activity in the country, remains optimistic about the partnership's potential for success. Giørtz-Carlsen asserts, "Yes, the competition within the dairy category is fierce in France, but I believe we have the production expertise and the consumer insights needed to succeed—especially now that we can work together with Solinest and benefit from their experience and strong position in the market."
