China’s First Vegan Yogurt Debuts This Month

Chinese water company Nongfu Spring recently introduced a new line of vegan yogurt products which will hit Shanghai grocery and convenience stores this month. The line—which will be the first plant-based yogurt products to go mainstream in China—will be available in three flavors: walnut, coconut, and almond. According to market research firm Innova Market Insights, plant-based products increased by 62 percent globally between 2013 and 2017. Dairy alternatives are especially high in demand, including non-dairy yogurt, which saw a sales growth of 48 percent during the same four-year period. “The dairy alternatives market has been a particular beneficiary of this trend,” Lu Ann Williams, Director of Innovation at Innova Market Insights, said, “with the growing availability and promotion of plant-based options to traditional dairy lines, specifically milk beverages, and cultured products such as yogurt, frozen desserts, and ice cream.”