The cultured dairy segment is seeing its ups and downs. Yogurt, once the driving force, has seen sales struggle of late. Concurrently, other cultured categories such as cream cheese and sour cream are holding their ground or trying to push ahead.

Several trends are growing within the cultured dairy market, specifically with yogurt. Manufacturers are capitalizing on the clean eating movement as cultured products that are functional, whole milk, grass fed and lower in sugar are becoming more popular. Flavor mash-ups (including sweet heat, inclusions or pairings), snacking options and yogurt drinks are also helping to expand the consumer base.

Lynnfield, Mass.-based HP Hood added two new sweet flavors to its 4% cottage cheese line — honey and pear, and maple and vanilla.

The world of cultured dairy is a big one and the shelves are crowded. Health experts continue to tout the many benefits of consuming cultured dairy, including gut health and weight management. This past year some interesting trends have emerged that are poised to help grow and diversify the category even more — bold flavor innovation (including savory flavors), a growing interest in drinkable yogurts and an increase in whole-milk cultured dairy products.