Appetite-suppressant weight-loss drugs are set to reshape demand for dairy products, according to the AHDB.
The levy board has said the rise of GLP-1 drugs offer opportunities for the UK dairy industry as demand for nutrient-dense products rises.
The UK is still at an early stage of adoption of the drugs, with Worldpanel data showing 4.1% of households contained a user of GLP‑1 medications in 2025. However, with two‑thirds of adults in England classed as overweight, and more than a quarter as obese, AHDB predicts even a modest uptake of the drugs could drive notable consumer shifts.
AHDB said the UK could soon follow the US, where a Gallup poll found 12.4% of adults use injectable weight-loss medication and where high-fat categories such as butter, cheese and ice cream have already suffered.
“Although the US takes a different approach to healthcare and their rate of obesity is higher, we can take learnings from their markets when predicting dairy consumption changes related to weight-loss medications,” said Annabel Twinberrow, an AHDB analyst.
According to the levy board, similar patterns are already emerging in the UK market, and NIQ data shows cows standard plain yoghurt saw growth of 19.6% year on year, while cows fat-free yoghurt saw a 12.9% increase and an additional 4.3 million kilos purchased year on year.
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“Whilst consumers already looking for higher protein, gut health, greater nutrient density and less ultra-processed foods, AHDB said GLP-1 users are reinforcing existing health trends,” said Twinberrow. “Retailers have already positioned themselves to take advantage of the market by offering products such as smaller-portion ready meals.”
AHDB said it expected dairy manufacturers to follow retailers’ lead and develop new options with these trends in mind, such as more fortified and nutrient-dense options as well as more convenient, pre-packed, protein-rich products.
It also forecasts the growth of reformulated low-fat or high-protein variants, and new product development centred on whey and cultured dairy.
“Dairy is well placed to respond to the ‘less but better’ consumption mindset seen among GLP‑1 users,” said Twinberrow. “For dairy, the opportunity lies in strategically aligning with consumer priorities: health, protein and high-quality nutrition in smaller, more meaningful portions, and continuing to innovate and invest in the right areas.
“However, it will be key to invest in local processing capacity for purified whey products for British dairy to fully capitalise on the opportunity.”
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