Lifeway Foods expands business in Ireland

MORTON GROVE - Lifeway Foods Inc. said it is expanding the availability of its kefir drinks in Ireland through a deal with Tesco grocery stores.

The first deliveries of one-liter Lifeway Kefir bottles are now shipping and are available on Tesco store shelves, the company said.

"Our success in Ireland has been crucial to our European business plan," said Lifeway CEO Julie Smolyansky. "We are excited to bring our kefir to an even greater audience of shoppers in Ireland and look forward to continued flavor and assortment expansion."

Last year, Tesco reported that demand for kefir drinks was up 400%, Lifeway said. Additionally, Research and Markets released a report on the kefir market that stated it expects global kefir sales to grow to $2 billion by 2025, due in part to the surge in consumption prompted by a focus on digestive health and immune support related to COVID-19.

Lifeway is the leading U.S. manufacturer of kefir and fermented probiotic products.