At a trade fair in São Paulo, Arla Foods Ingredients (AFI) presented new opportunities for manufacturers looking to develop juice drinks with added protein.

The functional beverages market in South America is expanding rapidly and is expected to grow by nearly 9% annually from 2025 to 2030. Health trends are driving consumer demand for products that not only taste good but also deliver added nutritional value—especially protein and energy drinks.

A recent survey by Arla Foods Ingredients of 4,000 consumers in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia revealed that taste, natural ingredients, and high protein content are the three most important factors when choosing food and beverages. No fewer than 31% of respondents said they want more protein in juice products—rising to 40% in Brazil.

At the recently held Softdrinks Tech fair in São Paulo, AFI demonstrated how South American brands can use its whey proteins Lacprodan® and Nutrilac® ProteinBoost to create protein-enriched juice drinks.

“More and more South American consumers are looking for juice drinks with natural ingredients, great taste, and filling protein. With Lacprodan®, brands can combine the familiar taste of juice with the benefits of whey protein. With Nutrilac® ProteinBoost, dairies can create new drinks that deliver both freshness and creamy body. At the same time, the solutions are easy to use, giving manufacturers a simple way to develop new products, boost sales, and capture market share in a rapidly growing segment,” said Facundo Martin Cozzi, Project Manager at Arla Foods Ingredients in South America.

Read the full press release HERE.

Photo: Arla