Dairy products and alternatives in 2025: The big picture
In 2025, dairy products and alternatives in Denmark saw moderate current value growth, largely driven by high pricing coming from elevated input and logistics costs, particularly for butter and other fat-rich products. While overall consumption remained stable, plant-based dairy, yoghurt and sour milk products, butter and spreads, and cheese continued to grow steadily, with the popularity of lactose-free and high-protein dairy reflecting ongoing interest in health and wellness. Compared to the previous year of the review period, plant-based dairy saw a slowdown due to weakening consumer interest and ongoing scepticism around the nutritional value and sustainability claims of these products. Private label gained share thanks to price-sensitive local consumers turning to discounters, which now account for a significant share of grocery sales.
Key trends in 2025
Demand for convenient, on-the-go formats continued to grow in 2025, as local consumers sought small, high-protein dairy snacks that align with busy lifestyles. This includes portable yoghurts, protein drinks, and functional cheese portions, which are positioned not just as snacks but as light meal replacements. At the same time, sustainability remained a baseline expectation rather than a key purchase driver. Most Danes already associate Danish dairy with local sourcing and good animal welfare, but forthcoming carbon regulations have raised awareness about the environmental footprint of dairy production. While organic products have lost some momentum due to high prices and mixed messaging around climate impact, recyclable and reusable packaging is gaining traction as brands seek to boost their eco-conscious credentials.
Competitive Landscape
In a relatively fragmented arena, Arla Foods Amba was the leading company in dairy products and alternatives in Denmark in 2025. The company produces well-known brands such as Arla, Karolines Køkken, and Cheasy, with strong positions across milk, cheese, yoghurt, and high-protein dairy products.
Channel developments
Supermarkets was the leading distribution channel for dairy products and alternatives in Denmark in 2025, although its value share remained largely unchanged during the year. The channel continues to account for a significant portion of sales simply due to its established role in weekly grocery shopping and broad product availability across the price spectrum. However, second-ranking discounters gained share, narrowing the gap, particularly in price-sensitive segments. Supermarkets continue to serve as a key platform for branded dairy products, but the channel is increasingly challenged by shifting consumer preferences toward affordability and convenience.
What next for dairy products and alternatives?
Sales of dairy products and alternatives in Denmark are set to continue growing over the forecast period. However, growth is expected to be modest and largely price-led, rather than volume-driven. Elevated costs for raw materials and energy are likely to keep prices high, particularly in product areas such as butter, cheese, and indulgent dairy. At the same time, consumer demand for high-protein, lactose-free, and functional dairy options is expected to support continued interest in premium segments. Meanwhile, legislative developments, particularly the introduction of a carbon tax on food production, may apply pressure on profit margins and production volumes, especially in organic and high-footprint dairy.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Dairy Products and Alternatives industry in Denmark with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to a comprehensive range of core packaged food categories.
If you're in the Dairy Products and Alternatives industry in Denmark, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Dairy Products and Alternatives in Denmark report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Dairy Products and Alternatives in Denmark?
- Which are the leading brands in Dairy Products and Alternatives in Denmark?
- How are products distributed in Dairy Products and Alternatives in Denmark?
- How is the rise of e-commerce and/or the expansion of modern grocery retail impacting traditional retail?
- What are the key health and wellness concerns driving, or challenging, sales in Dairy Products and Alternatives?
- How significant are vegan and vegetarian dietary requirements in determining sales growth in Denmark?
- How has COVID-19 impacted consumer demand? To what extent have lockdown, home seclusion and stockpiling boosted sales? Will the longer term economic repercussions of the pandemic stimulate or suppress future growth?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
- How significant will values-based claims, such as sustainability and ethical labelling, be in supporting future growth and brand equity?
Dairy Products and Alternatives in Denmark
Dairy products and alternatives in 2025: The big picture
Key trends in 2025
Competitive Landscape
Channel developments
What next for dairy products and alternatives?
DISCLAIMER
Baby Food in Denmark
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Decline in baby food in 2025 as birth rates fall and economic pressures lead to more home preparation
Semper continues to lead, gaining share thanks to strong presence and rebranding exercise
Supermarkets leads, while e-commerce share grows dynamically
Stagnation predicted for baby food as birth rates in Denmark falter
Danes will continue to expect baby food to be pure and natural
New legislation may impact new product development in the coming years
Butter and Spreads in Denmark
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Healthy current value growth for butter and spreads in 2025, due to rising prices
Arla remains the leading player, gaining share and strengthening its position
Discounters leads sales while e-commerce continues to build its base
Growth predicted for butter and spreads, as prices remain high
Health and wellness will have limited impact on the category in the years ahead
Forthcoming legislation could lead to reassessment of brand portfolios
Cheese in Denmark
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Premiumisation trend boosts current value sales of cheese in 2025
Arla retains its solid leadership, but smaller player Dagrofa gains share
Supermarkets holds sway thanks to broad assortment across the price spectrum
Positive outlook for cheese in the years ahead
Traditional flavours and premium options are likely to remain firm favourites
Sustainability concerns will drive investment in greener packaging and supply chain transparency
Drinking Milk Products in Denmark
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Modest growth for drinking milk products in 2025
Arla retains its dominance with a strong portfolio across subcategories
Supermarkets leads sales, while discounters benefits from ongoing price-consciousness
Steady value growth predicted for drinking milk products over the forecast period
Health and wellness strand will see polarisation in consumer preferences
Players will seek to reduce carbon footprint through initiatives and programmes
Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products in Denmark
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Positive performance for yoghurt and sour milk products in 2025
Aral dominates sales, gaining category share in 2025
Supermarkets maintains its lead, while e-commerce gains share
Growth predicted for the category, which enjoys everyday appeal
Health and wellness trends will be evident in yoghurts and sour milk products in the coming years
Sustainability development will be driven by manufacturers' values rather than consumer demand
Other Dairy in Denmark
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Modest category growth reflects price increases in 2025
Arla leads thanks to widespread presence across subcategories
Supermarkets benefits from designation as the go-to channel for everyday grocery shopping in Denmark
Gloomy outlook predicted for other dairy in the years ahead
Health and wellness will continue to have limited impact on the category
Little dynamism expected in a small and stable category
Plant-Based Dairy in Denmark
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Robust current value and volume growth supported by price increases and expansion within discounters
Naturli gains notable share and retains its solid category lead
Discounters leads sales once again, as price-sensitivity drives consumers towards private labels
Robust growth predicted for plant-based dairy
Health and wellness will remain a key driver of product development
Brands expected to opt into sustainability initiatives to remain relevant and on-trend
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Dairy Products and Alternatives
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- Dried Baby Food
- Prepared Baby Food
- Other Baby Food
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- Liquid Standard Milk Formula
- Powder Standard Milk Formula
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- Liquid Follow-on Milk Formula
- Powder Follow-on Milk Formula
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- Liquid Growing-Up Milk Formula
- Powder Growing-Up Milk Formula
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- Liquid Special Baby Milk Formula
- Powder Special Baby Milk Formula
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- Butter
- Cooking Fats
- Margarine and Spreads
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- Spreadable Cheese
- Processed Cheese excl Spreadable
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- Packaged Hard Cheese
- Unpackaged Hard Cheese
- Soft Cheese
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- Dairy Only Flavoured Milk Drinks
- Flavoured Milk Drinks with Fruit Juice
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- Fat-free Fresh Milk
- Semi Skimmed Fresh Milk
- Full Fat Fresh Milk
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- Fat-free Shelf Stable Milk
- Semi Skimmed Shelf Stable Milk
- Full Fat Shelf Stable Milk
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- Goat Milk
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- Powder Milk
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- Sour Milk Products
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- Drinking Yoghurt
- Flavoured Yoghurt
- Plain Yoghurt
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- Chilled Dairy Desserts
- Shelf Stable Dairy Desserts
- Chilled Snacks
- Coffee Whiteners
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- Flavoured Condensed Milk
- Plain Condensed Milk
- Evaporated Milk
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- Cream
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- Flavoured Fromage Frais and Quark
- Plain Fromage Frais and Quark
- Savoury Fromage Frais and Quark
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- Soy Drinks
- Other Plant-based Milk
- Plant-based Yoghurt
- Plant-based Cheese
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This report originates from Passport, our Dairy Products and Alternatives research and analysis database.
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