Last month saw August 22 designated as ‘World Plant Milk Day’, marking the fact that millions of people across the world have turned away from dairy and towards plant-based alternatives.
According to international food awareness organisation ProVeg, it is thought that the dairy alternatives industry is set to top $35bn by 2024, up from $8.2bn in 2014, with over 58% of people in the US now using or having tried plant milks.
Meanwhile, there are now fewer than 9,500 dairy farms in the UK compared with 13,000 a decade ago. Predictions suggest there will only be around 5,000 by 2025.
“Never before have we seen people across the world transition so quickly from one foodstuff to its alternatives in this way,” said Zephie Begolo, Head of Campaigns for ProVeg UK. Begolo says the change has been caused by “people are realising that plant milks outweigh dairy in terms of benefits for personal health, animal welfare and the environment”.
The plant milks market, which is predicted to surpass $16bn this year alone, is booming thanks to a rapid increase in plant-based alternatives that are now available.
“Consumers can now buy a huge variety of plant milks and dairy alternatives and they are more readily available than ever,” added Zephie. “And with big supermarkets, high street chains, retailers and food outlets buying into the trend, it seems it is unstoppable.”
A number of brands across the United Kingdom, including Kellogg’s, Bella Italia, Handmade Burger Co, Pret a Manger and Starbucks joined World Plant Milk Day campaign with special promotions on their dairy-free food and beverages.
