Sour Milk Drinks Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Product Type (Buttermilk, Kefir, Drinking Yogurt, Others), By Category (Flavored, Unflavored), By Distribution Channel (Hypermarkets & Supermarkets, Convenience Stores, Online, Others), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 7.89 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.22%
Fastest Growing Segment	Buttermilk
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 10.71 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Sour Milk Drinks Market will grow from USD 7.89 Billion in 2025 to USD 10.71 Billion by 2031 at a 5.22% CAGR. Sour milk drinks are fermented dairy beverages produced by the acidification of milk through specific bacterial cultures, resulting in a product characterized by a distinct tart flavor and the presence of live probiotics. The market’s expansion is fundamentally supported by increasing consumer prioritization of gut health and immunity, which drives the demand for functional nutrition options. Furthermore, the fermentation process naturally reduces lactose levels, making these beverages more accessible to individuals with digestive sensitivities and thereby broadening the potential consumer base beyond traditional dairy drinkers.

According to the European Dairy Association, in 2024, the consumption of fermented dairy products in the European region reached 7.75 million tonnes. Despite such robust figures in established markets, the global expansion of sour milk drinks faces a significant challenge regarding logistics and distribution. The requirement for a consistent, temperature-controlled cold chain to maintain the viability of live cultures and ensure product safety imposes high operational costs and limits market penetration in regions with underdeveloped infrastructure.

Key Market Drivers

Rising Consumer Awareness of Gut Health and Probiotics acts as a paramount accelerator for the global sour milk drinks market. Modern consumers increasingly associate fermented beverages with microbiome balance, immunity enhancement, and digestive wellness, shifting these products from niche health foods to mainstream staples. This trend is evident in the surging popularity of kefir and drinkable yogurts, where purchase decisions are heavily influenced by live culture counts and clean label attributes. According to Lifeway Foods, Inc., May 2024, in the 'First Quarter 2024 Results', the company reported net sales of $44.6 million, representing a 17.8% year-over-year increase driven largely by volume growth in their flagship kefir portfolio. This trajectory underscores a sustained consumer shift toward accessible, drinkable probiotics that offer tangible health benefits beyond basic nutrition.

Growing Demand for Functional and Fortified Beverages further amplifies market value, as manufacturers innovate with targeted health benefits such as stress relief and sleep support. Beyond traditional digestion claims, brands are formulating high-potency drinks that cater to specific physiological needs, thereby commanding premium price points and fostering brand loyalty. According to Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd., May 2024, in the 'Consolidated Financial Results for the Year Ended March 31, 2024', net sales rose to 503.0 billion yen, a performance bolstered by the robust sales of high-value-added functional products. Such innovation is critical for maintaining growth in mature markets. Demonstrating the sheer scale of this diversified category, according to Danone, in 2024, the Essential Dairy and Plant-Based segment generated €3,474 million in sales during the first quarter, highlighting the immense commercial footprint of functional fermented products globally.

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Key Market Challenges

The reliance on a continuous cold chain infrastructure presents a substantial barrier to the expansion of the sour milk drinks market. These beverages contain active live cultures that require strict temperature management from production to the point of sale to prevent spoilage and maintain probiotic efficacy. Establishing and maintaining such distinct distribution networks demands significant capital investment, which increases the operational burden on manufacturers and restricts availability in price-sensitive markets.

This logistical dependency limits market penetration in regions where energy supply is inconsistent or transportation networks are fragmented. The inability to guarantee product stability leads to high rates of waste and financial loss for distributors, effectively excluding large consumer bases in developing economies. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, in 2024, nearly 20 percent of dairy products in developing economies were lost during post-harvest handling and storage due to inadequate cooling infrastructure. Consequently, manufacturers often struggle to expand their footprint in these areas, limiting the market's overall growth potential to regions with established logistics capabilities.

Key Market Trends

The Global Expansion of Traditional Regional Ferments is reshaping the sector as consumers seek authentic, nutrient-dense alternatives to conventional sweetened dairy beverages. Shoppers are moving beyond standard drinkable yogurts to explore cultural staples like Icelandic Skyr and Turkish Ayran, valued for their naturally high protein content and distinctively tart flavor profiles. This shift reflects a preference for minimally processed foods that offer satiety without reliance on artificial fortification. According to Arla Foods, February 2025, in the 'Annual Report 2024', revenue for the Arla Skyr brand increased by 21.5%, demonstrating the accelerating commercial viability of these specialized, heritage-based fermented formats in international markets.

Simultaneously, the Shift Toward Clean Label and Organic Formulations is altering product development, driven by heightened scrutiny of ingredient transparency. Modern consumers are actively rejecting artificial preservatives and synthetic sweeteners, equating shorter ingredient lists with superior quality. This demand for purity extends beyond basic nutrition, as shoppers pay premiums for certified organic assurances that guarantee freedom from synthetic pesticides. According to the Organic Trade Association, April 2025, in the '2025 Organic Market Report', sales of organic yogurt grew by 10.5% in the United States, underscoring the economic momentum behind transparently sourced fermented dairy products.

Segmental Insights

Within the Global Sour Milk Drinks Market, the Buttermilk segment has emerged as the fastest-growing category, driven primarily by a decisive consumer shift toward functional, gut-health-oriented beverages. This surge is largely attributed to buttermilk’s nutrient-dense profile, which offers essential probiotics and high protein with significantly lower fat content than conventional whole milk. Consequently, it has gained traction as a preferred natural digestive aid among health-conscious populations. Additionally, the segment’s expansion is supported by its dual utility as a refreshing traditional beverage in emerging economies and a critical, clean-label ingredient in the global bakery and food processing industries.

Regional Insights

North America leads the Global Sour Milk Drinks Market, primarily driven by heightened consumer awareness regarding gut health and the functional benefits of probiotics. This dominance is supported by a robust retail infrastructure that ensures the widespread availability of fermented products such as kefir and cultured buttermilk. Furthermore, strict adherence to quality and labeling standards enforced by the United States Food and Drug Administration fosters high consumer confidence in product safety. Major manufacturers are actively innovating with lactose-free and clean-label formulations to cater to health-conscious buyers, further solidifying the region's top position in the global landscape.

Recent Developments

• In October 2024, Lifeway Foods unveiled a significant expansion to its organic kefir product line with the introduction of ten new "Flavor Fusions" in the United States. The company developed these innovative offerings, such as Pink Dragon Fruit and Hot Honey, to align with global flavor trends and attract a broader demographic to the sour milk drinks market. Each single-serve bottle was formulated to be lactose-free while providing essential nutrients like protein and calcium, along with twelve live and active probiotic cultures. The company leadership noted that these unique flavor profiles were designed to create excitement and drive growth in the cultured dairy category.
• In October 2024, Chobani announced the launch of a new high-protein product range in the United States, including a series of drinkable Greek yogurts. This development addressed the surging consumer demand for convenient, protein-rich nutrition without added sugars. The new beverage lineup featured multiple functional formats offering varying protein levels, such as 15g, 20g, and 30g per serving, to cater to different lifestyle needs. The company's Chief Innovation Officer emphasized that the product line was created to provide an affordable and natural solution for mainstream consumers seeking strength and positive nutrition, moving beyond niche fitness markets.
• In September 2024, Danone broadened its presence in the functional dairy aisle by introducing a new kefir range under its Activia brand in the United Kingdom. This strategic launch included both drinkable and spoonable formats, designed to capitalize on the increasing consumer interest in gut health solutions. The new fermented milk products were crafted with authentic kefir grains and a blend of sixteen live culture strains, along with added calcium to support digestive well-being. The Head of Marketing at the company highlighted that the expansion into the kefir category aligned with their commitment to offering accessible and tasty wellness options to consumers.
• In August 2024, Yakult expanded its portfolio in the fermented milk beverage sector by announcing the launch of a new peach-flavored variety in the United Kingdom market. The company introduced this product to meet growing consumer demand for functional drinks that support immunity and reduce fatigue. Enriched with vitamin C and fiber, the new offering contained billions of the company's proprietary L. casei Shirota bacteria, which are scientifically proven to reach the gut alive. The Managing Director for the UK & Ireland stated that the product was developed to align with flavor innovation trends and cater to health-conscious individuals seeking fat-free and lower-sugar options.

Key Market Players

• Nestlé S.A.
• Danone S.A.
• Lifeway Foods, Inc.
• PepsiCo, Inc.
• Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd.
• General Mills, Inc.
• Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited
• Emmi AG
• Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd
• Arla Foods amba

By Product Type	By Category	By Distribution Channel	By Region
Buttermilk Kefir Drinking Yogurt Others	Flavored Unflavored	Hypermarkets & Supermarkets Convenience Stores Online Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Sour Milk Drinks Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Sour Milk Drinks Market, By Product Type:

• Buttermilk
• Kefir
• Drinking Yogurt
• Others

• Sour Milk Drinks Market, By Category:

• Flavored
• Unflavored

• Sour Milk Drinks Market, By Distribution Channel:

• Hypermarkets & Supermarkets
• Convenience Stores
• Online
• Others

• Sour Milk Drinks Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE