As soon as thought-about area of interest section, fermented dairy drink kefir has discovered its standing with right now’s customers.
“The kefir market measurement generated $1.83 billion in 2025 and is projected to succeed in $ 2.78 billion by 2030, reflecting an 8.72% CAGR and underscoring the class’s regular transition from area of interest probiotic drinks to mainstream useful drinks,” states Mordor Intelligence in its report “Kefir Market Dimension & Share Evaluation – Development Development and Forecast (2025-2030).
When it comes to geographics, the report highlights that kefir is strongest globally in North America and Europe, however Asia-Pacific is increasing the quickest.
Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Meals Inc., Morton Grove, Unwell., explains that the refrigerated kefir market has proven distinctive efficiency, with exponential development quarter after quarter.
“Cultured dairy merchandise have been a standout class in meals and beverage over the previous few years, and Lifeway continues to guide the cost,” Smolyansky states. “As customers place larger emphasis on intestine well being and search probiotic-rich merchandise that help general wellness, we anticipate demand for kefir to surge.”
Lifeway has reported an unbelievable 23 consecutive quarters of year-over-year (YoY) income development, she shares.
“It’s a transparent indicator that customers are more and more prioritizing useful meals that nourish the microbiome and ship key vitamins,” Smolyansky explains. “Lifeway Kefir is loaded with protein, calcium and vitamin D, making it a super alternative for these trying to incorporate versatile, health-forward meals into their day by day routines.
“We’re assured that Lifeway will proceed its upward trajectory as extra folks uncover the advantages of this time-honored, cultured dairy drink,” she continues.
Smolyansky additionally notes the patron tendencies contributing to kefir’s efficiency. Two main tendencies she factors to are the rising give attention to intestine well being and elevated demand for high-protein meals.
“Customers have gotten extra conscious that intestine well being performs a significant function in general wellness and longevity, and so they’re actively looking for out meals that help digestion and the microbiome with out compromising on style,” she says. “Lifeway has been making kefir for nearly 40 years, and we’ve dialed within the taste profiles completely.”
Protein has taken heart stage as properly, Smolyansky provides.
“Excessive-protein meals are broadly advisable for supporting muscle upkeep, satiety and wholesome getting old, and we’ve seen great development on this space over the previous 12 months,” she shares. “What’s notably thrilling is the resurgence of curiosity in entire dairy, with kefir standing out as a whole protein that additionally delivers stay and lively probiotics for digestive well being.”
Moreover, she says that there’s a new wave of customers — notably these utilizing GLP-1 medicines — turning to probiotic-rich, high-protein meals which can be simple to digest.
“Kefir checks all these packing containers, making it an more and more standard alternative for health-conscious customers throughout all demographics,” Smolyansky expresses.
Furthermore, kefir merchandise supply quite a lot of advantages for customers, and Lifeway Kefir has a variety of advantages, beginning with its highly effective influence on intestine well being, the CEO says.
“As a fermented dairy beverage, it’s full of billion CFUs and 12 stay and lively probiotic cultures that assist nourish the microbiome and have been linked to improved digestion, immunity and intestine well being,” she shares. “There may be additionally rising analysis for advantages in areas like temper, pores and skin and even oral well being.”
For individuals who are lactose delicate, Smolyansky states that Lifeway Kefir generally is a good possibility. The lively cultures help digestions making it simpler on the abdomen, she provides.
“It’s additionally a supply of full, protein and delivers bioavailable vitamins equivalent to calcium, vitamin D3 and vitamin B12, that are important for day by day wellness and infrequently wanted by customers attempting to fulfill their diet targets with out juggling a number of merchandise,” Smolyansky explains.
Past its well being advantages, she shares that kefir is extremely versatile and simple to include into on a regular basis meals.
“Our plain kefir varieties work simply as properly in candy or savory recipes as they do on their very own,” Smolyansky says. “That makes them a super possibility for busy people and households in search of handy, nutrient-rich meals they’ll be ok with.”
Lifeway’s 3.5-ounce and 8-ounce bottles are excellent for on-the-go diet, whether or not customers are in search of a fast hit of protein, probiotics or each, she provides.
Sure flavors of kefir are extra standard than others.
Lifeway’s traditional flavors like Plain, Strawberry and Blueberry proceed to be longtime favorites, Smolyansky says.
“However what actually units Lifeway aside is our vary,” she shares. “We provide one thing for each style.”
Nevertheless, the CEO notes that Lifeway is at all times exploring new concepts to shock and encourage its clients.
“We like to experiment and push boundaries, which is why you’ll discover choices like our wealthy and creamy Black Cherry, made with natural entire milk, alongside extra adventurous varieties like our candy and spicy Scorching Honey and our clean and gentle Pistachio Rose Vanilla,” Smolyansky says.
Lifeway stays near its customers and retains an eye fixed on rising tendencies, she provides.
“That curiosity and creativity drive our product catalog,” Smolyansky states. “Whether or not somebody is reaching for an outdated favourite or attempting one thing new, we be sure that there’s at all times a scrumptious possibility ready.”
As for challenges dealing with the kefir market, Smolyansky observes solely alternatives proper now.
“Each class could have challenges to take care of, however we’ve navigated via tough waters earlier than, and it has solely made us higher as an organization,” she expresses. “We expect kefir is poised to speed up within the coming years. It’s what we’ve been laying the groundwork for all this time.”
Smolyansky shares that Lifeway is ready to have its finest years but. She predicts what’s subsequent for the kefir market.
“Innovation has been on the coronary heart of Lifeway’s success for almost 40 years,” Smolyansky says. “It’s how we’ve grown within the enterprise, expanded our choices and established ourselves as leaders within the class. Wanting forward, we’re persevering with to discover new codecs, flavors and useful options to fulfill the evolving wants of right now’s client.”
For instance, this previous 12 months, Lifeway launched a mix of collagen and probiotic kefir cultures with its Probiotic Smoothie + Collagen line. There may be rising proof that each probiotics and collagen would possibly help pores and skin well being, Smolyansky notes, so combining the 2 felt like a pure step.
“That is the sort of considerate innovation we’ll proceed to pursue,” she says. “We goal to be deliberate, good and science backed as we carry new gadgets to cabinets.”
From intestine well being to immune help, the Lifeway CEO feels that extra persons are recognizing the connection between diet and general well-being.
“Kefir is uniquely positioned to play a central function in that dialog,” Smolyansky concludes. “We’re excited to maintain pushing boundaries, reaching new audiences and driving kefir’s development as a staple in additional houses and life throughout the nation.”
