- Prev
- Next
Energy from innovation
Last update july 2011
:: Sales of Fresh Dairy Products grew 6.5% in 2010, like-for-like, driven by three factors: inroads into new markets, effective innovation and transformation of our relationship with consumers.
Redrawing the map in 2010
Danone has its roots in Europe, and yogurt remains a favorite in France, Belgium, Germany and Spain, where per capita consumption tops 20 kilograms a year (rising to 30 kilograms in France). In these mature markets, Danone expects moderate growth. We have also made markets with strong economic and/or demographic growth major targets for investment, laying the foundation for long-term development. Business in these countries — which are “emerging” markets for Danone — grew solidly in 2010, with sales rising 20% in Russia, the United States and Brazil. In Russia, Danone’s dairy product business merged with Unimilk on December 1, 2010, uniting the market’s largest and third-largest players, giving us new access to the 142 million consumers throughout the country, and opening up new growth potential. To strengthen supply lines across Brazil, with its 8.5 million square kilometers (3.3 million square miles), we opened a second plant in the northeastern town of Maracanaù. And in the United States, where yogurt consumption is one-sixth that of France, three of Danone’s five plants increased production capacity to keep pace with rising sales.
Other countries that have contributed to the new geographical shape of Danone include Mexico, Argentina, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and also China, where sales more than doubled in 2010.
Danone is now the world’s top producer of fresh dairy products: in 2011 we expect Russia and the United States to become our top two markets, edging ahead of France and Spain, where our business began.
