Lifeway Foods, an American supplier of cultured dairy products known as kefir and organic kefir, has announced that fourth quarter 2012 gross sales increased approximately 23% to $23.0 million compared to $18.7 million in the same period last year. This increase is primarily attributable to increased sales and awareness of the company’s flagship line, Kefir, as well as ProBugs Organic Kefir for kids and BioKefir.
Total consolidated net sales increased approximately 23% or $3.8 million to $20.6 million during the three-month period ended December 31, 2012 from $16.8 million during the same three-month period in 2011.
“We are extremely pleased with the strength of our sales results as distribution and brand awareness of Lifeway’s Kefir products continues to grow rapidly,” said Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods. “The health and wellness benefits of kefir continue to resonate with today’s increasingly health conscious focused consumers, and we believe Lifeway is well positioned for increased growth as the use of probiotics dramatically rises on global basis.”
The company began distribution to Walmart retail stores nation-wide the first week of January, 2013 with two of its most popular kefir flavours, including strawberry and blueberry in 32 ounce packages.
Kefir is a fermented milk drink made with kefir grains and is believed to have its origins in the Caucasus Mountains. It is prepared by inoculating cow, goat, or sheep's milk with kefir grains, which are a combination of bacteria and yeasts in a matrix of proteins, lipids, and sugars.
