Latvian functional food producer Fermentful begins collaboration with Lidl

Fermented plant-based kefir drinks produced by Latvian functional food producer Fermentful will soon be available on Lidl store shelves in Latvia and Estonia. Collaboration with one of the leading retail chains in Europe marks an important step forward in the company’s development and opens the door to further growth in the Baltic region and elsewhere in Europe. 

“This is an important step in our development. For a small company, a direct contract with an international partner of such scale as Lidl is a rare and valuable opportunity. Our products had Lidl representatives so interested that they will start marketing them in Latvia and Estonia at the same time. This is a pilot project which will serve as a test for potentially expanding this collaboration to other countries as well,” Anda Penka, CEO of Fermentful, explains. 

Fermentful products will be available in Lidl stores as of August 2025. If the pilot project is successful, the company is looking to introduce Fermentful products at select Lidl stores in Poland and Lithuania. “Our collaboration with Lidl attests to the changes taking place in the food market: demand for healthy, functional and sustainable plant-based alternatives in on the rise. Retailers are becoming a crucial driving force in promoting healthier choices, making these products more readily available to a broader range of consumers. Fermentful is part of this change, and we want to work together to offer high-quality, healthy and competitive products,” Ms Penka highlights. 

Even though the company is increasing its exports, the Baltics remain the main market for Fermentful products. The brand has cemented its position in the local retail market: several types of their fermented drinks are already sold at Rimi stores, and this attests to demand and customer loyalty. Fermentful has also established successful cooperation with the Virši fuel station network where the brand’s products have demonstrated good sales, thus also expanding access to their products throughout Latvia. 

At the beginning of this year, the company began exporting its products to Austria where Fermentful drinks are now available at Billa stores, a chain owned by the REWE retail group. Currently the company is working on reinforcing its market presence in Austria and negotiations are on-going with other major retail chains. Furthermore, this autumn the company will start a collaboration with Lithuanian chain Iki and will also expand its range of partners in Estonia. 

In the first half of 2025 Fermentful monthly sales quadrupled as compared to the same period last year. The collaboration with Lidl will help further this growth, therefore alongside upgrading its pilot factory in Riga, the company is also actively looking into outsourcing production to ensure the necessary capacity. 

Fermentful's plant-based kefirs are made from organic green buckwheat, sourced locally in Latvia, and contain valuable nutrients, natural pro- and prebiotics. The beverages are suitable for people with dietary restrictions, such as lactose or gluten intolerance. The recipes for the drinks have been created in collaboration with the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies with support from the innovation voucher programme established by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA). 

Fermentful was founded in 2020 with the aim of creating a healthy and delicious product for everyday use which also promotes gut health. The drinks are kefir-like in their taste, but completely free of any animal products. They are rich in protein, amino acids, iron, magnesium and B vitamins as well as good bacteria which help strengthen immunity and improve digestion. 

Currently Fermentful products are available at such retail chains as Rimi, Narvesen, Virši, Sky and Stockmann in Latvia and Estonia, and the company is ardently working on expanding its presence in the local and international markets.