Valio To Launch Lactose-Free Ice Cream Range

Finnish dairy company Valio has announced its return to the ice-cream market after more than a decade, with a brand new range coming in March 2018.

Valio’s new range, which includes six flavour combinations, will be the only Finnish lactose-free ice cream product line in the market, according to the company.

The products will be made at Valio’s Oulu dairy farm in the north of the country, with milk sourced from the company’s cooperative dairy farms in the same area.

Soft Spot

"Valio’s ice creams continue to hold a soft spot in the hearts of Finns: more than 61% of those surveyed mentioned us as an ice cream brand that spontaneously comes to mind,” said Jussi Mattsson, senior vice president of Valio.

The Valio ice cream range will include six flavours: ‘crazy caramel’ with a hint of salt, fresh strawberry-basil; ‘very Finnish’ blueberry-rye; juicy carrot cake; smooth macchiato-chocolate; and ‘kick-it-up salty liquorice-chilli’.

"Valio has long history as an ice cream producer, and we know what the Finns like when it comes to ice cream,” Mattsson continued. “We want to offer ice cream lovers something new and delicious and that many people can enjoy. That’s why Valio ice cream is always lactose free and features unique flavour combinations.”

Expansion

"The launch will also bring Valio's ice cream back to the Oulu dairy, where ice cream was last produced in the early 1980s,” said Martti Kimpimäki, the Oulu plant director. “Making the ice cream has been truly inspiring for us because this ice cream is being produced with a totally new recipe and with new equipment.”

The range will be also be expanded to Russian markets, going on sale in Moscow and St. Petersburg in spring.

Since 2014, Valio has exported juices, berry soups and 'Valio Baby' infant formulas to Russia.

Additionally, Valio sells its branded, locally-produced cheeses and fresh products, such as milk and yoghurts, in the Russian market.