Our Take: A Tale as Old as Time
While this specific shortage is news, the scenario is a tale as old as time for the food industry. In many ways, the grocery aisle operates much like the fashion industry. The total caloric intake of the population remains relatively stable, but the composition of those calories is in a state of constant churn.
Whether it’s Greek yogurt, Icelandic Skyr, or today’s high-protein trend, consumer tastes shift rapidly. The companies that win aren’t just those with the biggest factories, but those with the most agile supply chains capable of re-engineering themselves to chase the “hot fad” of the moment.
By the time capacity is fully ramped up for high-protein yogurt, the market may well have moved on to the next trend (savory lunch yogurts, anyone?). The lesson for manufacturers is to build flexibility into your production planning, because the only guarantee in the food industry is that tastes will change.
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