Customer cases

Brunberg’s lactose free milk chocolate bars — a chocolate lover’s dream

8.10.2021

In 2007, Brunberg, Finland’s oldest confectionery factory, introduced a lactose free milk chocolate bar made with Valio Eila® lactose free milk powder. The soaring sales speak for themselves — the demand for lactose free chocolate products is clearly there.

Brunberg specialises in high-quality chocolate, toffee, liquorice, and fruit confectioneries. Founded in 1871, the confectionery company has built a loyal and discerning customer base.

Prior to the launch of the lactose free milk chocolate bar, Brunberg had already included sugar-free and naturally lactose free dark chocolate products. The confectionery carefully monitors its production lines in the creation of its lactose free chocolate products.

Valio Eila® lactose free milk powder was chosen because it eliminates the risk of lactose spoilage, making the process significantly less complicated when compared to production environments where conventional milk powder is also used.

Brunberg 30g and 150g lactose free milk chocolate bars — Brunberg 30 g and 150 g lactose free milk chocolate bars. Classic, tasty and creamy chocolate bars. These products are suitable for almost everyone as they do not contain lactose or gluten. A chocolate lover’s dream!

There is clear demand for lactose free chocolate

For Brunberg, Valio Eila® lactose free milk powder came on the market at exactly the right time. The company first launched a 50g lactose free chocolate bar in December 2007. However, the real breakthrough came when Brunberg introduced its 150 g chocolate bar in February 2012, which turned out to be a real hit with Finnish consumers. Sales of Brunberg’s lactose free chocolate continues to grow to this day.

“We are very pleased with the increased sales of lactose free chocolate products and how quickly consumers have taken to them. There is clear demand for this type of product,” says Katarina Enholm, CEO of Brunberg.

A long partnership behind successful launches

The long-term partnership between Valio and Brunberg plays an important role in successful launches.

“We listen closely to customers and work hard to provide the right solutions for their needs. Joint product development projects enable new, innovative solutions,” says Jari Leppänen, Sales Manager at Valio.

Brunberg was a pioneer in Finland when it launched lactose free milk chocolate, and now their lactose free product family has grown. More innovations are coming in the near future to meet consumer needs.

“It’s a great honour to be able to work with a forerunner in the Finnish confectionery and chocolate industry,” Jari continues.

Digestive wellness drives growth in lactose free products

Consumers are willing to pay a higher price for high quality. The better-for-you megatrend opens up a wide market for launching lactose-free products, as Valio has done in a long-term partnership with Finland’s oldest confectionery factory.

“Lactose free chocolate bars are an important part of our business. Judging from the positive feedback we have received, there seems to be good demand for similar new products,” says Katarina.