Greek Yogurt a success overseas

As Greek yogurt is becoming ever more popular in the States, with major US companies deciding to get involved in the industry, Greece’s leading yogurt maker FAGE is increasing its storage capacity across the Atlantic.
A recent Wall Street Journal report suggested that Pepsico is about to announce the creation of a consortium with German dairy firm Theo Muller for their joint entry in to the US yogurt market, heeding the growing popularity of the Greek product in the country.
Now FAGE’s subsidiary in the States, Fage USA Corp. that was founded in 2005 is responding to the increasing demand by expanding the storage capacity of its factory, that started operating in 2008 just outside New York.
By January 2012 its storage capacity will have grown from 4,000 to 10,000 pallets, thereby dwarfing the capacity of the factories FAGE operates in Greece (5,000 pallets).
FAGE’s investment in the US is estimated at about $160 million to date. It started exporting yogurt to the States in 1998.
Such has been the success of Greek yogurt in the US that Kraft Foods, which had completely left the yogurt market in 2004, recently returned to it using a Greek-sounding name for its product: “Athenos”.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite2_1_22/10/2011_411424

Greek yogurt is much thicker than regular yogurt because a lot of the liquid whey is strained out. It doesn’t need the pectin or other thickeners found in many yogurts. Greek yogurt is higher in protein than regular yogurt, with 8 ounces of the nonfat version supplying about 20 grams of protein – nearly double the protein – content of traditional yogurt. It’s also lower in carbohydrates, which means even less lactose for lactose-intolerant people.

Do note, however that Greek yogurt is substantially lower in calcium than regular varieties (about 150 milligrams (mg) of calcium per 8 ounces versus the 300 to 450 mg in plain regular yogurt). Some brands may contain more, so be sure to check the Nutrition Facts label.

One more caution: fat and calories are also more concentrated – particularly in full-fat varieties. Eight ounces of nonfat Greek yogurt contain about 125 calories (similar to regular nonfat plain yogurt), but the same portion of the whole milk version contains about 300 calories and more than 20 grams of fat. Fortunately, the characteristic thick creaminess of Greek yogurt is present even in the nonfat form. While Greek yogurt is traditionally unsweetened, some flavored versions are now appearing in the U.S.”

http://eatingbender.com/2008/08/30/food-for-thought-greek-yogurt/