Yogurt is a form of dairy that is known for its nutritional benefits and growing appeal in global markets.
However, in many parts of Southeast Asia (SEA), yogurt isn’t a household staple – it’s still a new, unfamiliar product to much of the population. Limited exposure and lack of accessibility have kept yogurt consumption low whereby the average per capita consumption of yogurt in SEA is about 2.3 kg, among the lowest globally.¹ By contrast, Japan, though not traditionally a dairy-eating market, now averages roughly 11 kg per person, illustrating how quickly habits can shift when products fit local needs and routines.¹
One of the main barriers is yogurt’s short shelf life, which typically ranges from just a few weeks to a maximum of two months even under refrigeration. Cold-chain infrastructure across SEA remains uneven, with gaps in storage and transport outside major cities. This makes it challenging to distribute yogurt widely into untapped rural and remote areas while ensuring freshness and quality. Beyond logistics, cost is a barrier.
Maintaining a cold chain also adds capital expenditure for chillers and ongoing energy and maintenance, and many general-trade outlets lack refrigeration because it’s an expensive investment. These costs often flow through to shelf prices, reducing everyday affordability and limiting repeat purchase.
This is where Defrigerated™ Dairy comes in. Created to break down the twin barriers of availability and price, Defrigerated Dairy is designed for manufacturers ready to lead the next wave of dairy growth by unlocking opportunities in an untapped market.
In the dynamic dairy landscape, Defrigerated Dairy by Novonesis stands as a breakthrough innovation offering producers a new way to deliver yogurt that does not require high investment to produce. This post-pasteurized, ambient yogurt format is stable up to six months without refrigeration or the need for expensive aseptic filling lines. Defrigerated Dairy empowers producers to extend their reach into harder-to-serve regions.
“Defrigerated Dairy has been developed to unlock access to nutritious yogurt in regions where maintaining a cold chain is challenging,” said Lasse Vigel Joergensen, Senior Global Marketing and Business Development Manager at Novonesis.
“By enabling ambient storage and transport, this innovation helps expand reach and support healthier diets.”
Overcoming the shelf-life barrier of chilled yogurt
The challenge with chilled yogurt is its limited shelf life and reliance on a continuous cold chain. In mature markets like the US, a three-month chilled shelf life is common, and with excellent hygiene and temperature control it can extend toward six months. Where chill storage is intermittent or unavailable, shelf life can fall to about a week, raising spoilage risk and complicating distribution. On routes that take days or weeks, this narrow window means many products may spoil before they even reach store shelves.
This issue is particularly seen in rural or remote markets across SEA, where cold chain distribution networks are complex. As a result, chilled yogurt remains confined mostly to urban centers with well-developed cold-chain systems. Defrigerated Dairy breaks this barrier by offering a shelf-stable alternative that doesn’t depend on cold chain distribution.
Challenges of aseptic technology
Some producers have tried to solve the shelf-life problem by moving to ambient yogurt using aseptic technology, as seen in markets like China which contributed to the growth of ambient yogurt in the market. However, for those mid to small size dairy manufacturers in SEA, investing in high capital expenditure can be seen as a challenge and act as a barrier to market entry.
Defrigerated Dairy solves this challenge without resorting to aseptic technology. By using Novonesis’ specially designed cultures and a post-pasteurization step, producers can achieve ambient shelf stability. This opens the door for broader adoption without the need of high investment cost.
“Defrigerated Dairy offers a compelling business opportunity,” said Lasse Vigel Joergensen, Senior Global Marketing and Business Development Manager at Novonesis.
“With relatively low investment and scalable implementation, it enables dairy to enter the ambient segment efficiently and expand its market reach.”
Refrigeration-free yogurt
In countries like Indonesia and the Philippines, where distribution chains span thousands of islands and rural areas, chilled yogurt has struggled to gain traction. The lack of cold-chain infrastructure does not support perishable dairy at scale. Defrigerated Dairy changes that.
By offering a refrigeration-free yogurt, producers can now reach areas that were previously inaccessible or logistically impossible. This expands market reach dramatically and allows brands to establish a presence in new regions without needing expensive cold chain distribution.
Accessible use for on-the-go lifestyles
Picture a typical yogurt consumption moment. The consumer retrieves the yogurt from the fridge, searches for a spoon, and finds a place to sit – only then can they finally enjoy it. Today, Defrigerated Dairy transforms that experience.
No spoon. No problem. With easy-to-use pouch and stick formats, Defrigerated Dairy offers a new level of convenience – no spoon, no refrigeration, no fuss. These portable formats simplify the consumption experience, making yogurt more accessible for busy, on-the-go lifestyles. With this flexible format, manufacturers can also create new flavour profiles with a local consumer appeal, making products more relatable and desirable.
Next-level dairy starts here
Defrigerated Dairy isn’t about capturing market share, it’s about creating new markets. By removing the need for refrigeration and high investment, Novonesis has made it possible for dairy businesses to grow, scale, and thrive in some of the world’s most complex distribution markets while making yogurt more accessible for more consumers.
As a strong biosolutions partner, Novonesis brings unmatched expertise and world-class solutions, enabling co-creation built on mutual trust and aligned goals. With future-ready, science-backed technologies tailored to meet evolving market demands, and a firm commitment to driving sustainable practices, Novonesis empowers its partners to succeed and make a meaningful impact.
Be the brand that offers nutrition to the people and access all areas with Defrigerated Dairy. Visit Novonesis’ website to explore its offering for the dairy industry and connect with the team.
References
- Euromonitor