Three new lactose-free yoghurts added to Kārums range; investment 70 thousand euros

  • 2024-10-31

As the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Kārums, the most loved food brand across the Baltic region, symbol – the Crow – continues, Latvia’s leading dairy company Food Union has for the first time introduced a line of lactose-free treats in this popular range. This has resulted in the creation of three entirely new Kārums bifido yoghurts which will surprise foodies with their unique flavor, texture and combination of nutrients – they are lactose-free, with healthy BB-12 bifidobacteria and fibers, as well as bits of natural berries, seeds and grains. Total investments made in the development and launch of the new products on the Latvian market is around 70 thousand euros.

Valuable nutrition – lactose-free, with bifidobacteria 

The recipes of the new Kārums yoghurts have been developed at the Food Union Centre of Excellence for Fresh Dairy Products, combining the best traditions of making fermented milk products and the modern food industry. The main ingredients of the yoghurts are high-quality lactose-free milk combined with natural added ingredients and probiotic BB-12 bifidobacteria, which promote digestive health and boost immunity.  

With fibers and bits of natural berries

Since the new Kārums yoghurts have been created celebrating the Crow’s birthday, their flavors and textures are as expressive as festive fireworks. Drawing inspiration from the composition of flavors of a curd snack that was created by the people in 2023, the lactose-free Kārums bifido yoghurt was created with lingonberries and rye bread, adding grated full-grain rye bread.

Consumers are also offered a lactose-free bifido Kārums with raspberries and muesli, a typical combination of a breakfast meal. This product contains ingredients like oatmeal, raisins, rye flakes, flaxseeds and sunflower seeds. But the third novelty is particularly nutritious – a lactose-free bifido yoghurt Kārums with seeds and grains, including sunflower seeds, oatmeal, flaxseeds and hemp seeds.

Ilva Veidemane, Food Union dairy brand product manager: "The three new lactose-free bifido yoghurts are not only a significant step in the development of the Kārums product range, but also a continuation of the 30th anniversary celebrations of the brand's symbol – the Crow. We started celebrating in April with a new banana-flavored curd snack and two desserts. At the end of September, we delighted our Crow with a blueberry-flavored curd snack, which was chosen by the people. One might think that the launch of the new yoghurts would be enough to celebrate, but no - this year we have one more surprise in store from our birthday bird, the Crow, to further delight the fans of Kārums products".

Kārums product range

The three new lactose-free bifido yoghurts of the Kārums range are now available in popular stores across Latvia. With the launch of these products, the Kārums range has grown to 38 products. The sweet snacks category consists of seven types of products - 16 curd snacks, as well as a multipack of curd snacks, 5 sweet creams deserts, 6 bifido yoghurts, 2 cream yoghurts, 3 curd desserts and 2 curd creams. The salty Kārums range includes 3 fresh cheeses with and without added ingredients.

The Crow was “born” in 1994

An interesting historical fact – the Crow is not just as old as Kārums, but a year younger. Why so? Originally, the unique recipe for the curd snack as we know it today and the name of the product – Kārums – were created in 1993. But the symbol that adorned the product wrapping in the first year was a ginger cat. However, in the second year of Kārums' existence, an iconic change took place: the vanilla curd snack was dressed in orange wrapping and the symbol was changed to the Crow.  

Please find more information on the Kārums brand: www.karums.eu

About Food Union Latvia

Food Union is a leading producer and distributor of fresh dairy products and ice cream in Latvia. Food Union Group in Latvia consists of Rīgas piena kombināts, Valmieras piens and Premia FFL. The company is known in the market for its historical and well-known brands such as Kārums, Limbažu piens, Valmiera, Lakto, Pols, Ekselence and TIO. The company's core competences are mainly in the fresh dairy and ice cream segments and its brand portfolio boasts healthy and high added value products made from the best quality milk sourced from more than 100 Latvian farmers. Food Union Group is headquartered in Latvia. Since 2019, Riga has been the Group's ice cream development centre. Each year, more than 100 new ice cream varieties are developed for the European market at the Ice Cream Competence Centre. As of January 2024, PAG Private Equity has become the majority owner of Food Union Europe, including Food Union Latvia. More information: www.foodunion.lv.