Skyr demand keeps rising as Denmark’s protein craze persists

Demand for skyr has continued to grow, with Danish dairy producers reporting sharp sales increases in recent years. DR reports that both Arla and Thise Mejeri have seen rising demand for the high-protein cultured dairy product.

At Thise Mejeri, sales have risen by 30 to 40 per cent a year in recent years, sales director Petter Aagesen said. The dairy had struggled to keep up and has decided to expand its production capacity.

Arla has recorded a 25 per cent increase in skyr sales in Danish supermarkets over the past two years, equivalent to five million more one-kilogram tubs sold. Earlier this month, the company invested 470 million kroner to expand production of skyr and cottage cheese.

Thise Mejeri was the first dairy in Denmark to launch skyr, 20 years ago. The product is also in focus at the International Food Contest in Herning, where the Nordic region’s best dairy products are to be named on Monday.

Sisse Fagt, a food habits researcher at the Technical University of Denmark’s National Food Institute, said the product’s high protein content was one reason for its popularity. She said a “protein hype” had led people to believe they should eat more protein because it is filling and helps with weight loss.

Fagt said most people in Denmark already get enough protein, and that dairy products such as skyr can be an easier option than legumes, which require people to know how to prepare them. She said she would prefer people to eat more legumes to get dietary fibre and other nutrients, noting that the official dietary guidelines do not recommend eating large amounts of protein-enriched dairy products.