On the occasion of World Milk Day on June 1, VLAM, the Flemish Center for Agricultural and Fisheries Marketing, is publishing a trend report indicating key movements in consumers’ preferences for dairy products. Remarkably, the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated some trends, leading to the acquisition of pure and local food.
Consumers are increasingly choosing pure basic products that have been processed as little as possible and contain the fewest additives possible. In 2020, 2 out of 5 Flemish people (42%) indicated that they chose dishes based on pure products, compared to about 1 in 3 (36%) in 2015, 2 out of 5 Flemish people (43%) also indicated To choose this more. In the future.
Additionally, the Flemish have never placed much value on local produce. For example, two-thirds (65%) of the population of Belgium prefers Belgian dairy products. In 2014, 2 in 5 Belgians (41%) indicated that they attach importance to the local production of food products when purchasing. In 2020, this number has already increased to 1 in 2 (52%). The direct consequence of this is the upward-trending direct sale from the farmer. As a result, the sales volume of farm stores and farmers markets for fresh food also increased by 36% in Belgium in 2020.
Yogurt is totally hip again
Consumers are attaching increasing importance to a healthy immune system. This is supported by a healthy, complete and varied diet. Dairy products are rich in nutrients and thus contribute to a healthy diet. The Super Health Council recommends consuming between 250 and 500ml of milk and dairy products per day.
Gut health and the role of the gut microbiome are also gaining interest in this context. Eating a healthy diet rich in fiber is critical, but fermented dairy products can also help due to the presence of certain microorganisms, including lactic acid (probiotic) bacteria. Additionally, fermented dairy products like yogurt are more digestible. About 1 in 2 Belgians (49%) say they actually eat yogurt several times a week.
Dairy, a grateful staple product
Dairy products are and will always be very popular with the Flemish people. Dairy products are, according to the vast majority, an unambiguous part of our food culture (86%). More than 7 in 10 Flemish people report that it is difficult to cut out dairy products (72%).
Dairy products are used regularly in Flemish homes: Fleming uses one dairy product 3.9 times a day on average. The five most used dairy applications are baking butter, spreads, milk in coffee, cheese, and yogurt. Flemish people find dairy products particularly diverse (92%), delicious (88%), high quality (87%) and healthy (84%).
Night Cap
A glass of milk before bed has been used to help you sleep all over the world for a long time. Cow’s milk naturally contains tryptophan, which is an essential amino acid and a precursor to serotonin. Serotonin is also converted into melatonin, which is a neurotransmitter that increases our sense of sleep. In combination with a source of carbohydrates (such as honey or banana) Tryptophan will be absorbed better. What if milk really works as a night coffee because of this? No extensive scientific research has been conducted on this matter.
But a cup of warm milk before bed can also help in another way … because you take the time for it, it clears your mind and helps you relax.
Consumers are increasingly choosing pure basic products that have been processed as little as possible and contain the fewest additives possible. In 2020, 2 out of 5 Flemish people (42%) indicated that they chose dishes based on pure products, compared to about 1 in 3 (36%) in 2015, as indicated by 2 in 5 Flemish people (43%). In the future, too, the Flemish never attached much value to local produce. For example, two-thirds (65%) of the population of Belgium prefers Belgian dairy products. In 2014, 2 in 5 Belgians (41%) indicated that they attach importance to the local production of food products when purchasing. In 2020, this number has already increased to 1 in 2 (52%). The direct consequence of this is the upward-trending direct sale from the farmer. As a result, turnover of farm stores and farmers markets for fresh food also increased by 36% in Belgium in 2020. Consumers are attaching increasing importance to a healthy immune system. This is supported by a healthy, complete and varied diet. Dairy products are rich in nutrients and thus contribute to a healthy diet. The Super Health Council recommends consuming between 250 and 500ml of milk and dairy products daily, and gut health and the role of the gut microbiome are also receiving attention in this context. Eating a healthy diet rich in fiber is critical, but fermented dairy products can also help due to the presence of certain microorganisms, including lactic acid (probiotic) bacteria. Additionally, fermented dairy products like yogurt are more digestible. About 1 in 2 Belgians (49%) say they actually eat yogurt several times a week, and dairy products are still very popular with the Flemish. Dairy products are, according to the vast majority, an unambiguous part of our food culture (86%). More than 7 in 10 Flemish people indicate that they find it difficult without dairy products (72%) use dairy products regularly in Flemish homes: a Flemish person uses a dairy product 3.9 times a day on average. The five most used dairy applications are baking butter, spreads, milk in coffee, cheese, and yogurt. Flemish people find dairy products particularly diverse (92%), delicious (88%), high quality (87%) and healthy (84%). A glass of milk before bed has been used to help you sleep all over the world for a long time. Cow’s milk naturally contains tryptophan, which is an essential amino acid and a precursor to serotonin. Serotonin is also converted into melatonin, which is a neurotransmitter that increases our sense of sleep. In combination with a source of carbohydrates (such as honey or banana) Tryptophan will be absorbed better. What if milk really works as a night coffee because of this? No extensive scientific research has been conducted on this matter. But a cup of warm milk before bed can also help in another way … because you take the time for it, it clears your mind and helps you relax.
