Added value shows the whey forward in Europe
A new report on Whey Products in West Europe from leading food and drinks consultancy Zenith International reveals that consumption edged back up to nearly 770,000 tonnes in 2002.
The report examines four main whey product sectors – sweet whey, demineralised whey, whey protein concentrates (WPC) and whey protein isolates (WPI) – and analyses both the supply and demand for these across West Europe, with special emphasis on the seven key markets of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom.
“Traditionally, whey has been seen as a substitute for milk powder during periods of price fluctuations on the world market. However, the food industry’s perception of whey is changing. Added value variants are now also beginning to become important functional ingredients,†according to Zenith Market Consultant Esther Renfrew.
The Netherlands accounted for more than 30% of European consumption of whey products in 2002. The Dutch animal feed sector is the main customer. The food processing industries of France and Germany were responsible for 25% and 15% of the market respectively.
“In West Europe, sweet whey powder remains the largest sector and was responsible for three quarters of total volume. It was followed by demineralised whey, an important ingredient in both chocolate confectionery and infant formulae,†Esther Renfrew added. “However, the development of new functional foods and drinks, particularly adult and sports nutrition products, has led to increased usage of WPC and WPI.â€
France, Germany and the Netherlands dominate whey production, with the main whey processors located in these countries. French companies like Euroserum are important in the sweet category, while Dutch company Borculo Domo is active in the demineralised category. In WPC and WPI, Milei, Arla Foods and BBA Lactalis are each increasing their focus on added value products.
The future for whey will see continued development of more functional whey products, without losing its orientation towards commodity usage. “Demand for commodity whey products will remain linked to the world price of milk powder and will continue to dominate. However, the real excitement and the added value in the category lies in developing new products that can meet the specific needs of food processors,†concluded Esther Renfrew.
The 2003 Zenith Report on Whey Products in West Europe contains 339 pages, with country profiles, tables and detailed commentary. Call +44 (0)1225 327900, fax +44 (0)1225 327901, e-mail info@zenithinternational.com or examine report contents at http://www.zenithinternational.com/reports/contents/z0795WEWhey03toc.pdf
Notes for Editors
For further information, please contact:
Jason Holway or Esther Renfrew,
Zenith International Ltd,
7 Kingsmead Square, Bath BA1 2AB, United Kingdom
t +44 (0)1225 327900 f +44 (0)1225 327901
zenithinternational.com
The report examines four main whey product sectors – sweet whey, demineralised whey, whey protein concentrates (WPC) and whey protein isolates (WPI) – and analyses both the supply and demand for these across West Europe, with special emphasis on the seven key markets of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom.
“Traditionally, whey has been seen as a substitute for milk powder during periods of price fluctuations on the world market. However, the food industry’s perception of whey is changing. Added value variants are now also beginning to become important functional ingredients,†according to Zenith Market Consultant Esther Renfrew.
The Netherlands accounted for more than 30% of European consumption of whey products in 2002. The Dutch animal feed sector is the main customer. The food processing industries of France and Germany were responsible for 25% and 15% of the market respectively.
“In West Europe, sweet whey powder remains the largest sector and was responsible for three quarters of total volume. It was followed by demineralised whey, an important ingredient in both chocolate confectionery and infant formulae,†Esther Renfrew added. “However, the development of new functional foods and drinks, particularly adult and sports nutrition products, has led to increased usage of WPC and WPI.â€
France, Germany and the Netherlands dominate whey production, with the main whey processors located in these countries. French companies like Euroserum are important in the sweet category, while Dutch company Borculo Domo is active in the demineralised category. In WPC and WPI, Milei, Arla Foods and BBA Lactalis are each increasing their focus on added value products.
The future for whey will see continued development of more functional whey products, without losing its orientation towards commodity usage. “Demand for commodity whey products will remain linked to the world price of milk powder and will continue to dominate. However, the real excitement and the added value in the category lies in developing new products that can meet the specific needs of food processors,†concluded Esther Renfrew.
The 2003 Zenith Report on Whey Products in West Europe contains 339 pages, with country profiles, tables and detailed commentary. Call +44 (0)1225 327900, fax +44 (0)1225 327901, e-mail info@zenithinternational.com or examine report contents at http://www.zenithinternational.com/reports/contents/z0795WEWhey03toc.pdf
Notes for Editors
For further information, please contact:
Jason Holway or Esther Renfrew,
Zenith International Ltd,
7 Kingsmead Square, Bath BA1 2AB, United Kingdom
t +44 (0)1225 327900 f +44 (0)1225 327901
zenithinternational.com