Growing and emerging market opportunities in categories like protein and coffee creamers, as well as new product development insights from real R&D specialists, brought an influx of visitors to DairyReporter in the first half of 2025.
This interest hasn’t been limited to product innovation. A study that sheds light on the dim reality of dairy farming – specifically, the range of pressures, from financial to mental health-related – that producers face as they consider their future in the industry has been one of the most valuable resources for new subscribers.
Here’s a list of 10 stories that you found most valuable in the first half of 2025.
What’s causing farmers to consider quitting dairy?
A study into Australian dairy farmers’ attitudes provides a valuable insight into how factors such as labor shortages and unstable milk prices are putting strain on producers’ future and wellbeing in the sector.
https://www.dairyreporter.com/Article/2025/01/09/whats-driving-dairy-farmers-to-consider-quitting/
What’s new in dairy? From functional milk to no-sugar latte
Our new product development (NPD) round-ups are always popular – and this one drew in the biggest crowd.
https://www.dairyreporter.com/Article/2025/03/03/new-dairy-launches-march-2025/
Do you want to feature in one of our NPD round-ups? Fire an email over to the Editor to make sure you’re in with a chance of inclusion.
Next-gen probiotics: How Danone is unlocking the next frontier of functional dairy
Next-generation probiotics could have far-reaching benefits for health and food alike. We spoke to Danone North America’s Miguel Freitas, PhD, to find out more about the opportunities these probiotics could offer in the functional dairy space.
How Nestlé and Danone stir up the billion-dollar coffee creamer space
In another popular read, we took a closer look at the North American coffee creamer space – and how two of its biggest players are exploiting growth with product and format innovation.
Oikos expands into the $7bn ambient protein shakes market
Danone’s entry into the growing shelf-stable high-protein shakes market brought a formidable player in the battle for the best protein shake – with competitors including fairlife and Ripple Foods already present in the segment.
Elevating dairy NPD in 2025
At the start of 2025, we looked at where the opportunities for new product development rested – including three emerging categories
https://www.dairyreporter.com/Article/2025/01/30/npd-opportunities-for-dairy-in-2025/
From gut health to immunity: What do consumers want from functional food and beverage?
In a bite-sized article featuring advice from market insights agency Lumina Intelligence, we looked at what are the key consumer demands when it comes to functional food and drink.
https://www.dairyreporter.com/Article/2025/05/12/top-5-priorities-in-functional-food-and-beverage/
R&D insights: How to make a trendy dairy product
We spoke to the head of R&D at Swiss dairy major Emmi Group to find out how consumer and regulatory trends around protein and sugar reduction are shaping the company’s new product development efforts.
https://www.dairyreporter.com/Article/2025/05/08/dairy-product-innovation-insights-from-emmi-group/
Five trends in cheese
Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin’s annual trends report always offers valuable insights for cheese brands. Here are the main takeaways from this year’s report, released back in February 2025.
https://www.dairyreporter.com/Article/2025/02/03/five-trends-for-npd-in-cheese/
Can Nestlé crack cow-free dairy?
As animal-free dairy - specifically the type produced through precision fermentation or via cell cultivation - struggles to make an impact in retail, we looked at how innovation led by major food brand Nestlé may potentially prop up this segment.
