A Serving of Good Bacteria, Please

A Serving of Good Bacteria, Please

A third of New Zealanders are interested in probiotic yoghurts for the health benefits

Auckland, 12 May 2016 – Kiwis are keen to clean up and restore balance to their intestines according to the latest survey by consumer satisfaction company, Canstar Blue.

Thirty three per cent of New Zealanders are interested in probiotic yoghurts for the health benefits, with claims that the live bacteria improves the bacterial balance of your gut and aids digestion.

Probiotics are one of the many recent health crazes but because claims about the healthy bacteria are as widespread as the bacteria themselves, it can be hard to make healthy choices, says Canstar New Zealand General Manager, Jose George.

“When it comes to choosing the right one always check the label to see how high the probiotic count actually is, and also check the expiration date, as probiotics lose their potency as they age.”

Women (41%) were significantly more likely to want the health benefits of probiotics in their dairy snack than men (24%). When it comes to the age groups the desire to have a healthier balance of gut bacteria was similar across all of the generations.

Mixing it up

New Zealanders are interested in trying new things with 36% of Kiwis saying that they like to try new flavours of yoghurt. Baby Boomers are the generation least likely to try the new yoghurt offerings (35%).

Taranaki is the most adventurous region with 47% stepping out and trying something different from their norm.

Close to a quarter (22%) of Kiwis prefer Greek style yoghurt which isn’t surprising seeing as 17% said they like to use their yoghurt as part of cooking where Greek yoghurt is commonly used, says George.

“But that isn’t the most common way for Kiwis to consume yoghurt, as 65% prefer to eat it on its own as a snack and 46% usually eat it with breakfast cereal.”

Forty four per cent of those surveyed say that they prefer flavoured yoghurt to plain yoghurt with those in the nation’s capital being the most likely to turn their backs on standard yoghurt (50%).

A tub at a time? And often in the weekly shop.

Northlanders are most likely to say that they can easily finish a large tub of yoghurt in one sitting (16%) while those in the Bay of Plenty are more likely to ration their yoghurt snack (6%).

Men (12%) are more likely than women (8%) to be able to devour a large tub all at once.

When it comes to doing the groceries, close to half of New Zealanders (46%) say that yoghurt is an essential part of the weekly shop. Baby Boomers are more likely to routinely grab yoghurt off the supermarket shelves (50%) than Generation Y (40%).

Loyalty to their favourite yoghurt brand is strongest in the City of Sails as Aucklanders are the least likely to buy whichever brand is on special, while those in Otago are the most likely to search for the best bargains (58%) rather than choosing the same brand every time.

This year’s winner for the Canstar Blue- Consumer Satisfaction Award for the yoghurts category is EasiYo who scored five star ratings across every category.

EasiYo is a DIY yoghurt maker brand, made fresh at home with no artificial ingredients and billions of live cultures, appealing especially to the 33% of Kiwis with a desire for probiotic yoghurt, says George.

“New Zealanders ranked taste as their number one driver of satisfaction when choosing a yoghurt brand, and EasiYo customers are positive about EasiYo’s ‘real’ taste without all of the additives.

“Making your own yoghurt is a cost effective and environmentally friendly option as the packages make a large quantity of yoghurt and the reusable EasiYo tub reduces the use of plastic packaging.”

Respondents were asked to rate their favourite yoghurt brands across five variables:

1. Value for money

2. Variety/range

3. Taste

4. Packaging

5. Overall satisfaction

The results can be seen at http://www.canstarblue.co.nz/food-drink/yoghurt-ratings/

Yoghurt habits/attitudes by region: (exceptions only)

Auckland: Aucklanders are the least likely to tend to buy whatever brand is on special (38%).

Wellington: Wellingtonians are most likely to prefer flavoured yoghurt to plain yoghurt (50%).

Otago: Those in Otago are least likely to say that they are interested in probiotic yoghurts for the health benefits (26%), most likely to say that they prefer low fat yoghurt (33%) and most likely to tend to buy whichever brand is on special (58%).

Bay of Plenty: Those in the Bay of Plenty are least likely to say that they can finish a large tub of yoghurt in one sitting (6%), least likely to enjoy trying new flavours of yoghurt (31%), most likely to prefer Greek style yoghurt (29%) and least likely to prefer flavoured yoghurt to plain yoghurt (37%).

Manawatu/Manganui: Those in Manawatu/Manganui are least likely to prefer Greek style yoghurt (17%).

Northland: Northlanders are most likely to say that they can easily finish a large tub of yoghurt in one sitting (16%) and least likely to prefer low fat yoghurt (17%).

Hawke’s Bay: Those from Hawke’s Bay are most likely to eat yoghurt everyday (38%) and most likely to say that yoghurt is an essential part of their weekly supermarket shop (55%).

Taranaki: Those in the Taranaki are most likely to like to try new flavours of yoghurt (47%) and least likely to say that yoghurt is an essential part of their supermarket shop (55%).

Southland: Southlanders are most likely to be interested in probiotic yoghurt for the health benefits (45%) and least likely to say that they eat yoghurt everyday (22%).

About the survey

I-view is the region’s leading data collection agency, with over 30 years of experience. It has over 25,000 projects delivered across hundreds of clients since their inception in 1983. I-view is owned by IPSOS, one of the top market research companies in the world, with offices in 87 countries translating to a global presence.

I-view has established strong relationships with panel partners in New Zealand. I-view is accredited to ISO 20252 for Market Opinion and Social Research.

Their reputation for reliability and quality made them a partner of choice for Canstar Blue.

The outcomes reported here are the results from a survey of Kiwis who have purchased and eaten yoghurt in the last 3 months. In this case there were 1,817 people surveyed.

ENDS

© Scoop Media