Accra, Oct. 31, GNA – Tetra Pak, a global leader in food processing and packaging technology, has partnered with Ghanaian manufacturer Niche Cocoa Industry to launch a new line of flavoured milk drinks, marking a significant step in strengthening Ghana’s local beverage manufacturing capacity.
The new product, branded as Daily Milk, was officially unveiled on Thursday in Accra.
It features 180ml packs of banana, vanilla, and strawberry flavoured milk, targeting children and families seeking nutritious and convenient beverage options.
Speaking at the launch, Mr Haithem Debbiche, Managing Director of Tetra Pak West Africa, said the collaboration reflects the company’s commitment to making food safe and available everywhere.
“This isn’t just about introducing a new product to the market,” he said. “It’s about redefining how we think about flavour, nutrition, and packaging in a rapidly evolving consumer landscape.”
Ghana’s soft drinks market reached 1.05 billion litres in the third quarter of 2024 and is projected to grow by 10.86 per cent through 2029.
Flavoured milk is seen as a key growth segment, with increasing demand for value-added dairy products.
The partnership between Tetra Pak and Niche Cocoa began with innovation workshops, where technical teams from both companies collaborated on product development, packaging design, and production planning.
The initiative leverages Tetra Pak’s global expertise in aseptic processing and packaging to address infrastructure challenges in Ghana, particularly the limited cold chain systems.
Mr Edmund Poku, Managing Director of Niche Cocoa, said the partnership aligned with the company’s vision to expand beyond cocoa processing into diversified food and beverage products.
“Tetra Pak’s technology and collaborative approach have been instrumental in bringing this product to life,” he said.
“This is a step forward in our mission to add value to Ghana’s agricultural resources.”
Ghana, the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, processes only about five per cent of its annual 800,000 metric tonnes of cocoa domestically.
The government has been encouraging local value addition to reduce reliance on raw exports and boost industrialisation.
Tetra Pak, which recorded global net sales of USD 12.7 billion in 2023, operates in over 160 countries with 89 sales offices and 51 production plants.
Its West Africa operations support food and beverage manufacturers across six categories, including dairy, beverages, and prepared foods.
The Daily Milk launch comes at a time when Ghana’s beverage market is projected to reach USD 42.87 million by 2029, with an annual growth rate of 7.75 per cent.
The product’s shelf-stable packaging, enabled by Tetra Pak’s aseptic technology, allows for wider distribution without refrigeration, a key advantage in tropical climates.
Industry stakeholders at the launch, including government officials and nutrition experts, lauded the initiative as a model for public-private collaboration in boosting local manufacturing and food security.
GNA
Christian Akorlie