Danone, the world's largest yoghurt maker, has acquired toppings producer YoCrunch, in a bid to strengthen its growth in the rapidly expanding US yoghurt market.
Founded in 1985, YoCrunch makes yoghurt products with separately packaged crunchy toppings. The brand holds licensing agreements with some big name brands in the US such as M&Ms and Oreo cookies. The company also sells a lime-flavoured Greek yoghurt product, which is topped with broken Graham cracker pieces.
According to Danone, the move will enable Danone to benefit from the YoCrunch's'expertise in compartmentalized packaging' and will advance Danone’s ambition to further develop yogurt consumption in the US.
Danone is adding to its US dairy business to make up for the switch towards cheaper private label yoghurt products in western Europe. According to Mintel, US yoghurt sales are forecast to rise to $8.4 billion by 2018, up from $6.5 billion in 2012.
Danone currently accounts for around 30% of the American yoghurt market, with brands such as Dannon, Danimals and Activia.
Dairy, Fresh Produce, Yoghurt, Danone
© 2013 - ESM: European Supermarket Magazine by Ellen Lunney
