Dairy days: The dairy market trends exciting consumers this summer holiday season – and beyond

Summer is in full swing, and with the season’s long days and balmy evenings brings an appetite for fresh, vibrant flavours. Yet, as we reach the height of summer, the first hints of autumn are already starting to peek through – in the air, on menus, and in product development pipelines. It’s a fascinating transitionary point: one eye firmly on the refreshing tastes of summer, and the other looking ahead to the cosy, comforting notes of autumn.

What better time, then, to check in on one of the most dynamic areas of the food and beverage industry – global dairy trends. From yoghurts and ice creams to milky drinks and savoury cheese snacks, dairy is an endlessly versatile canvas for innovation. In this blog, we explore SVZ’s favourite dairy trends for Summer/Autumn 2025 – and how, at every turn, fruit and vegetable ingredients can help brands deliver on consumer demand.

International inspirations

Even if passports stay in drawers this summer, consumers are still chasing that holiday feeling – and flavour is one of the most powerful ways to travel without boarding a plane. Increasingly, shoppers are embracing globally minded tastes and fusions that offer a sense of escapism and adventure.

Dairy beverages are the perfect vehicle for these culinary journeys. Their variety of formats – from creamy drinkable yoghurts to indulgent milkshakes – provides an accessible, familiar base for consumers to explore more unusual, even exotic, flavours.

Fruit and vegetable ingredients can be the passport to these dairy-led global experiences. Imagine the fragrant pairing of honeyberry puree with cardamom for an East-meets-West yoghurt creation; or a delicate, layered combination of lychee, raspberry and hibiscus to evoke Southeast Asian flavour profiles. For something savoury yet sunny, a cream of tomato soup enhanced with tomato puree, red pepper puree and harissa paste delivers a zesty experience perfect for summer. These taste blends don’t just add flavour – they tap into a consumer desire for sensory storytelling, authenticity and discovery, making dairy products more of an experience than just a stopgap between meals.[1]

Feeling hot, hot, hot

Sweet and savoury may once have been a niche pairing, but today it’s a mainstream obsession – and adding spice into the mix has sent consumer curiosity soaring. According to Tastewise, interest in sweet/savoury combinations rose 51% year-on-year across social and recipe mentions, with platforms like TikTok and Instagram fuelling the craze for flavour mashups that surprise and add a little ‘kick’.[2]

In the dairy world, sweet and spicy combinations are a natural fit. The fresh, sweet or tart notes of fruit juices and purees can beautifully balance the richness of savoury dairy bases like cheese or creamy yoghurts. Black pepper and strawberry; chilli and mango; wasabi and pear – the possibilities are endless.

Premium yoghurts laced with chilli-lime pineapple or ice creams swirled with hot honey and raspberry also deliver the ultimate ‘hot meets cold’ experience. Not only do these combinations intrigue the tastebuds, but they also help brands create products with the kind of visual and social media appeal that encourages consumers to take a chance and come back for repeat purchases.

Flavours of the forest

As the last weeks of summer give way to the golden glow of autumn, flavour trends begin to reflect the shift in seasons. Following a surge in popularity last year, floral and botanical notes are again set to be a major influence in early autumn 2025 – especially rose, chamomile, lavender and hops, which are all stepping beyond their traditional associations with tea and beer.[3]^,[4]

Dairy beverages are embracing these softer, nature-inspired notes, with the lavender latte emerging as a coffee shop favourite and botanical infusions adding a calming twist to milky teas. Mint, ginger, chamomile and even marshmallow root are perennial partners for fruit in aromatic tea blends – ideal for this shoulder season between hot sunshine and cooler evenings. Ginger in particular offers a unique spicy-fresh flavour and rich layers of complexity, great for drinks, juices and shots.

Here, fruit and vegetable ingredients add depth, balance and visual appeal. Pumpkin puree brings natural sweetness, body and that unmistakable autumnal orange glow, while pear puree delivers gentle sweetness and a crisp, orchard-fresh character. These seasonal ingredients don’t just taste delicious – they also conjure nostalgic associations with harvest time, offering consumers an emotional connection alongside sensory satisfaction.

A healthy dose of nostalgia

Health and indulgence might sound like opposites – but in the dairy category, they’re increasingly complementary. Consumers want it all: products that offer functional benefits while still satisfying cravings for comfort and familiarity.

According to Innova Market Insights, two in five consumers value yoghurts and yoghurt alternatives for their health benefits.[5] High-protein, added-fibre, and fortification with probiotics, vitamins and minerals are among the top claims shaping the category. [6]At the same time, dairy’s deep-rooted associations with comfort are fuelling a wave of indulgent, nostalgia-driven innovation. Think drinkable dairy desserts – those loaded milkshakes crowned with whipped cream[7], sprinkles and syrups – with flavours like cinnamon apple crumble, or retro ice cream favourites like raspberry ripple, now elevated with organic milk and artisanal fruit compotes.

Fruit and vegetable ingredients bridge these two worlds perfectly. Offering a natural ‘health halo’ thanks to their vitamins, minerals and plant-based appeal, they can also make for invaluable taste, texture and colour enhancers in indulgent formats. A strawberry puree, for instance, can add brightness and flavour to a protein yoghurt, or a decadent dairy dessert can be given a tart twist with a swirl of blackberry compote. In both cases, the result is a product that satisfies – the healthy way.

The best of both worlds

From adventurous international flavour journeys to the comforting pull of nostalgia, this season’s dairy trends are wonderfully diverse. One ingredient category, however, runs through them all: fruit and vegetable ingredients. Whether they’re delivering a burst of colour, a hit of seasonal freshness, a layer of complexity or a touch of health-conscious appeal, they offer brands the tools to face dairy industry trends with confidence and creativity.

So, which dairy trends are you most excited about this season? For more inspiration – and to discover how high-quality fruit and vegetable ingredients can elevate your dairy offering – get in touch with our expert team today: [link to contact us page]

[1] https://fmcggurus.com/blog/how-sensory-experiences-drive-food-and-beverage-choices/

[2] https://tastewise.io/blog/dairy-trends

[3] https://www.innovamarketinsights.com/trends/flavor-trends-global-floral-innovation/

[4] https://www.innovamarketinsights.com/trends/botanical-infused-innovation/

[5] https://www.innovamarketinsights.com/trends/yogurt-yogurt-alternatives-trends-in-europe/

[6] https://www.innovamarketinsights.com/trends/yogurt-yogurt-alternatives-trends-in-europe/

[7] https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/category-reports/the-rise-of-drinkable-desserts-trends-in-dairy-drinks-2025/