Yogurt Packaging Trends in the US: 3 Areas to Watch in 2025

As the yogurt market continues to grow and new brands and yogurt products hit the market every day, the packaging used to contain those products is evolving. In this article, we give yogurt producers the packaging trends they need to know about to ensure their products stand out on the shelves and in customers’ minds.

Yogurt is nutritious, convenient, versatile, and filling. It’s no wonder many consumers continue to purchase yogurt products. As its popularity with consumers has increased, so has the variety of yogurt products on the market.

Since Greek yogurt products disrupted the category in the early 2000s, the yogurt category has continued to evolve and innovate. According to recent reports, new categories such as Skyr Icelandic yogurt and dairy alternative products are projected to grow at 8.7% CAGR through 2030.

The yogurt retail space remains highly competitive, and differentiation on the shelf and adapting to market trends remain key for brands to attract consumers. Brands can gain momentum by adapting their products to the market, choosing packaging that connects these trends.

Let’s first look at yogurt packaging as a whole, then dive into the trends driving the latest and greatest innovations in yogurt packaging.

Jump to Top 3 Yogurt Packaging Trends in 2025

Like all food packaging, yogurt packaging protects the product from contamination and extends shelf life, ensuring the product remains high quality and safe for consumption. Many types of packaging options are available for yogurt products, including cups, bottles, pouches, and tubes that can be made of many different materials, such as plastics, glass, and paper.

That said, plastic is by far the most popular material choice for yogurt products owing to the range of advantages it provides for yogurt producers.

• It’s lightweight, reducing shipping costs and carbon footprint. Compared to other materials known for sustainability, like glass, plastic’s lighter weight makes it easier and more efficient to ship, reducing its overall carbon footprint.
•  It’s efficient to produce. Similar to the point above, plastic requires less energy to produce than glass packaging for example, further reducing its carbon footprint.
•  It’s durable, and able to withstand transportation while keeping products safe and sealed.
• It’s recyclable, ensuring yogurt brands are able to remain focused on their sustainability initiatives and meet growing consumer interest in eco-friendly options.
• It provides a lower cost platform for differentiation. Cost to innovate with new shapes, sizes, and plastic variants remains lower and faster than other packaging solutions.

Sustainability has become a driving force in many yogurt packaging innovations and will continue to be a primary driver for yogurt packaging innovations moving forward. As consumers and regulators push for greener solutions, yogurt producers should take a hard look at their packaging to ensure that it can meet these new standards and be compliant with state and federal requirements. In practice, yogurt producers should follow the three points below to ensure their packaging meets the sustainability demands of today’s market.

Design for Recycling
Design for Recycling refers to the approach of designing packaging in a way that maximizes its recyclability at the end of its life cycle. This means ensuring that materials, shapes, and components are chosen to facilitate efficient recycling processes. Using mono-materials simplifies sorting and improves recyclability by ensuring compatibility with existing recycling streams. Leveraging plastic materials with an established recycling infrastructure allows the materials to be recycled more easily and turned into new packaging or other plastic products, avoiding landfills. Light-colored or transparent materials are preferable, as they are more easily detected in sorting systems. Additionally, components should be easy to separate, allowing materials to be recovered without contamination and ink or labels that contaminate the recycling stream. Finally, clear labeling helps consumers dispose of packaging correctly, supporting an efficient recycling system. The Association of Plastic Recyclers has provided the APR Design Guide that allows manufacturers and brands to comply with the latest requirements. 

Post-consumer Recycled Materials
As sustainability becomes a priority, yogurt brands in the U.S. are turning to post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics to reduce their environmental footprint. PCR materials are derived from used plastic packaging that is collected, processed, and repurposed, helping to cut down waste and conserve resources. In addition to meeting consumer demand for eco-friendly packaging, using PCR content can help brands comply with retailer sustainability goals and evolving regulatory standards. By integrating recycled materials, yogurt brands can strengthen their commitment to a circular economy while enhancing their market appeal.

Learn more about the use of post-consumer materials here.

Plastic and Material Reduction
At the end of the day, using less material creates a more sustainable package. That’s why yogurt brands should explore their packaging options. There are options for cardboard labels that reduce the use of plastics and ensure the label is also recyclable in the right material streams. There are even resealable lid options on the market that eliminate the need for foils, creating a true mono-material package.

Traditional, convenient, on-the-go packaging will always remain a top priority for many consumers, but many yogurt brands are beginning to push the boundaries of packaging design by including digital elements like QR codes or scanable digital watermarks in their packaging. These interactive elements not only provide the opportunity to engage customers beyond the consumption of the product, but they can also provide information on how best to recycle the packaging, making sorting simpler and recycling more effective.

The quality of the packaging reflects the quality of the product within. Many health-conscious yogurt consumers are opting for yogurt brands that adopt a premium, minimalist design in their packaging. Yogurt brands looking to update their packaging should consider aesthetics that match current consumer tastes, including:

•  Clean design: Minimalist layouts and neutral colors convey the message of a natural, high-quality product without any additives, an approach that many health-conscious consumers resonate with.
• Premium materials: Matte-finished plastics and cardboard labels enhance the packaging’s luxury appeal and further align with sustainability-focused consumers.
• Subtle branding elements and brand story: Stories about the product’s origin and crafting process, along with understated logos and branding elements, build trust and connection with consumers.
  

As consumer preferences evolve, it is reassuring for yogurt brands to know that they have plenty of options at their disposal to meet those growing demands for sustainable, aesthetically pleasing packaging. Forward-thinking yogurt brands have plenty of opportunities to differentiate themselves in a crowded market. In 2025 and beyond, it will be critically important for yogurt brands to evaluate their packaging. Yogurt brands that prioritize consumer preferences for sustainability, one-the-go options, and minimalist aesthetics will set their products up for success.