How are weight loss drugs impacting the dairy market?

While the rise in the use of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide) weight-loss drugs is presenting some opportunities for the dairy industry, it also comes with some possible challenges.

According to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), approximately 4.1% of British households are already currently using GLP-1 drugs.

When prescribing the drug, doctors recommend a diet that focuses on nutritionally dense, lower fat, and protein-heavy foods.

This has cause a shift in demand for protein and fat, which could the AHDB said could be of benefit to the dairy industry “if it can boost processing capacity to fully tap into protein-rich product potential”.

GLP-1 drugs

GLP-1 drugs are mainly used as a treatment for type-2 diabetes as well as obesity.

By pretending to be natural gut hormones, the drugs slow digestion, suppress appetite and also change how food tastes, which in turn encourages people to take in more calories.

GLP-1 variants first emerged on the US market, with Gallup Health reporting that as of October 2025, 12.4% of American adults are using the injectable drug for weight loss, with uptake increasing.

AHDB said: “With two-thirds of adults in England overweight and 26.5% of these classed as obese, the potential market is significant.

“To put this into perspective, vegetarians make up 6.1% of the population, while vegans account for 1%.

“While small, these groups have reshaped marketing strategies and product offerings.”

The AHDB went on to say that the use of GLP-1 drugs “would not have to be widespread could have a large impact on dairy consumers”.

Vanessa Adamson, retail and consumer insight manager at AHDB, commented on the expected increase of consumers trying GLP-1 weight loss drugs:

She said: “Lean primary red meat, natural yogurt, milk and eggs are likely to be popular, as these consumers are actively seeking nutrient-dense meals in smaller portions that are packed with protein for muscle maintenance.”

Dairy demand

With the drugs’ main effect being a reduction in overall food consumption, the content in food is what is most important to the its users.

Dairy finds itself in the category that follows that ‘less but better’ trend, where consumer preference is for products with high nutritional values with a focus on protein.

According to International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc (IFF) tracking data, GLP-1 households in the US demonstrated certain consumption shifts.

With the US dairy category, there was a drop in consumption of higher-fat products, like cheese, butter, ice cream, and whipped cream.

However, consumption of high-protein products has increased, with a growth in cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, and whey protein beverages.

AHDB said Britain has seen a similar changes, with demand for high-protein yogurt and cottage cheese growing as consumers interests change, and noted that GLP-1 trends could speed up this growth.

Demand for dairy will vary by product. For example, whey plays an important role in the creation of nutrition drinks and protein-enriched products, while higher-fat products are less favoured by GLP-1 users.

The EU short-term outlook predicts that dairy will remain a favoured protein source, mainly in low-fat and low-sugar products.

Outlook for dairy industry

GLP-1 drugs are still in the early stages of adoption in the UK and Europe; however their influence on the food industry is already becoming very clear.

They are shaping marketing strategies and new product development, as well as consumers’ choices and eating patterns.

According to AHDB, the dairy industry is “well-positioned to respond, particularly by leaning into its protein-rich whey products”.

“However, an effort needs to be made to highlight the nutritional value of dairy, and raw ingredients alone might not be enough,” AHDB said.

“Providing nutritionally complete, convenient, pre-packed dairy options with attention to portion sizes will be key to winning these consumers.”

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