Dairy Alternatives Market Analysis

Global Dairy Alternatives Products Market Overview

Dairy Alternatives Products Market Size was valued at USD 22.5 billion in 2023. The dairy alternatives products industry is projected to grow from USD 24.9 Billion in 2024 to USD 46.4 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.88% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). The main market drivers influencing the growth of the market of dairy alternatives products are the rising intolerance for animal proteins, the nutritional advantages of plant-based dairy products, rising investments in dairy alternatives, and the rising number of vegans and vegetarians.

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Dairy Alternatives Products Market Trends

• Increasing Adverse Reactions to Processed Dairy Products to Fuel Market Growth

Consumers with lactose intolerance account for the majority of the dairy alternatives products market. Furthermore, there is a growing belief among consumers as a whole that lactose-free products are nutritious alternatives to traditional dairy. The lack of lactase, an enzyme that breaks down lactose, results in lactose intolerance. Inability to digest lactose after birth is present in over 65% of the human population. Over the past 20 years, the volumetric and value-based consumption of particular dairy categories in developed economies in Western Europe and North America has fallen dramatically. Due to their growing worries about allergens, hormones, and unethical animal husbandry techniques common in the dairy sector, consumers are gravitating towards plant-based alternatives, especially in the most significant markets. Dairy product production has a considerable negative influence on the environment, which leads to soil erosion, air and water pollution, and ultimately a loss of biodiversity. Thus, this factor is driving the market CAGR for dairy alternatives products.

Furthermore, in reality, plant-based milk isn't a brand-new processed food category on its own; several of the major players, like Oatly or Alpro, first similar items in Europe in the 1980s. Due to the robust popularity of plant-based ingredients and the rising adoption rates for meat and dairy alternatives products, there has been a recent increase in demand for it. This is in addition to the dynamic growth over the past few years. The biggest greenhouse gas emitters in terms of the environment are the dairy and meat industries. Compared to horticulture products, the water and carbon footprint of milk and dairy products is substantially larger.

However, with its growing popularity for its therapeutic and health benefits, the soy- and gluten-free diet is swiftly emerging as one of the dietary movements with the quickest rate of growth. The growing popularity of soy- and gluten-free food items is mostly linked to an increase in food sensitivities, regional dietary preferences, celiac disease diagnoses, and the notion that food can act as medicine. For instance, many people have allergies to and intolerances for soy protein, which can cause eye irritation, gastrointestinal distress, and other symptoms that, in certain circumstances, call for hospitalization. Furthermore, avoiding gluten is one of the most widely adopted dietary trends worldwide. The rising prevalence of illnesses, particularly chronic and non-communicable conditions, is primarily responsible for the rising demand for gluten-free food. Thus, it is anticipated that this aspect will accelerate dairy alternatives products industry revenue.

Segment Insights

Dairy Alternatives Products Source Insights

The dairy alternatives products market segmentation, based on source, includes soy, almond, coconut, rice and oats. The soy segment held the majority share in 2022 in the market of dairy alternatives products data. With its greater availability in the Asia Pacific market, notably in China, soy milk has been the undisputed leader in terms of the source. Almond milk, however, is expected to increase more quickly than all the other dairy replacements combined. Customers who avoid soy because of allergies or other health issues linked to the products are quickly becoming more and more popular.

Dairy Alternatives Products Type Insights

The dairy alternatives products market segmentation, based on type, includes milk, cheese, yoghurt and ice creams. The milk segment dominated the market growth for dairy alternatives products in 2022 and is projected to be the faster-growing segment during the forecast period, 2022-2030 due to favorable demand dynamics, rising private-label and major multinational interest in developing plant-based milk, and significant development potential for vegan beverages, the market for vegan beverages is expected to rise quickly.

Figure 1:  Dairy Alternatives Products Market, by Type, 2022 & 2030 (USD Billion)Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Dairy Alternatives Products Distribution Channel Insights

The dairy alternatives products market data, based on distribution channel, includes store-based and non-store-based. The store-based segment dominated the dairy alternatives products industry revenue for dairy alternatives products in 2022 and is projected to be the faster-growing segment during the forecast period, 2022-2030 due to their accessibility, proximity, and low cost. To seduce customers and boost their rates of adaptation, vegan and plant-based products have a special retail shelf and are given with tempting discounts. Products made from plants are becoming more and more distinctive.

Dairy Alternatives Products Regional Insights

By region, the study provides the market insights for dairy alternatives products into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World. North America dairy alternatives products market accounted for USD 10.3 billion in 2022 with a share of around 45.80% and is expected to exhibit a significant CAGR growth during the study period such as, yoghurt and ice cream are often consumed foods. More than two-thirds of the dairy products sold in North American schools are varieties of flavor milk. The industry for alternative milk is anticipated to be significantly impacted by the increased consumer demand for sweetened soy and almond milk.

Several food and dessert products made with dairy-based milk substitutes are anticipated to boost the industry in the North American region during the projected period.

Further, the major countries studied in the market report for dairy alternatives products are: The U.S, Canada, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure 3:  DAIRY ALTERNATIVES PRODUCTS MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022 (%)Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Europe dairy alternatives products market accounts for the second-largest market share. The adoption of new technologies for product innovation, cooperation between domestic and foreign food companies to improve their product offerings in the region, increased government investment in the food R&D sector, and the growing presence of many key players in the market are all major contributors to the region's rapid growth. Further, the UK market of dairy alternatives products held the largest market share, and the Germany dairy alternatives products industry was the fastest growing market in the region.

Asia Pacific dairy alternatives products Market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2022 to 2030. The demand for dairy substitutes in the area is influenced by a number of variables, including rising vegetarianism and more health-conscious consumers. Dairy substitutes are enticing to health-conscious, vegan, and lactose intolerant consumers since they are low in fat, calories, and cholesterol. Much of Asia suffers from lactose intolerance, with rates ranging from 58% in Pakistan to 100% in Korea. It is recommended that those who are lactose intolerant stay away from dairy products and switch to plant-based dairy alternatives. Moreover, China market of dairy alternatives products held the largest market share, and the India dairy alternatives products industry was the fastest growing market in the region.

Dairy Alternatives Products Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Major market players are spending a lot of money on R&D to increase their product lines, which will help the dairy alternatives products market grow even more. Market participants are also taking a range of strategic initiatives to grow their worldwide footprint, with key market developments such as new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations. Competitors in the dairy alternatives products industry must offer cost-effective items to expand and survive in an increasingly competitive and rising market environment.

One of the primary business strategies adopted by manufacturers in the dairy alternatives products industry to benefit clients and expand the market sector is to manufacture locally to reduce operating costs. In recent years, dairy alternatives products industry has provided medicine with some of the most significant benefits. The dairy alternatives products market major player such as The Whitewaves Food Company (US), The Hain Celestial Group (US), Blue Diamond Growers (US), Sunopta (Canada), Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing Company (Australia), Freedom Foods Group (Australia), Eden Foods (US), Nutriops S.L. (Spain), Earth's Own Food Company (Canada) and Triballat Noyal (France).

California almonds are the focus of the agricultural cooperative and marketing company Blue Diamond Growers. The company claims to be the biggest tree nut processing and marketing company in the world. It was established in 1910 as the California Almond Grower's Exchange. It supports 3,500 almond producers and the state's major food export, the over $1 billion almond harvest. In November 2021, with the introduction of a brand-new extra creamy almond milk variant that adds almond oil for a richer texture, Blue Diamond's Almond Breeze brand introduced a new line of almond beverages. This flexitarian-friendly almond beverage was created to satisfy both plant-based and problem-solving tastes.

A multinational food and mineral corporation with its headquarters in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, SunOpta, Inc. was established in Canada in 1973. Grain- and fruit-based products are the main focus of the company's natural and organic food operations. The Dutch wholesaler of organic ingredients, Tradin Organic Agriculture, was purchased by SunOpta Inc. in 2007. In February 2021, a new brand of organic oat creamer was introduced by Sunopta. Sown, one of the first organic oat coffee creamers, let plant-based foods and beverages into the market as customer demand for them increased. Smooth and creamy Sown organic oat creamers make a delicious dairy-free alternative for coffee.

Key Companies in the dairy alternatives products market includes

• The Whitewaves Food Company (US)


• The Hain Celestial Group (US)


• Blue Diamond Growers (US)


• Sunopta (Canada)


• Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing Company (Australia)


• Freedom Foods Group (Australia)


• Eden Foods (US)


• Nutriops S.L. (Spain)


• Earth's Own Food Company (Canada)


• Triballat Noyal (France)

Dairy Alternatives Products Industry Developments

March 2022: The opening of a state-of-the-art production facility for ingredient blending and a state-of-the-art technological application centre in Bursa, Orhangazi, announced by Cargill Turkey will help dairy producers better meet rising consumer demands.

February 2022: The Israeli food technology company Wilk has unveiled a new plan of action to fulfil the demand for dairy products. The business is concentrating on developing cell-cultured milk with the intention of undercutting the dairy industry by providing a replacement that tastes exactly like the real thing. The company that produces cultured milk is seeking to solidify its position as a significant player in the manufacture of milk made from cells, thereby enhancing the availability of the very sustainable foodstuff.

Dairy Alternatives Products Market Segmentation

Dairy Alternatives Products Source Outlook (USD Billion, 2019-2030)

• Soy


• Almond


• Coconut


• Rice


• Oats

Dairy Alternatives Products Type Outlook (USD Billion, 2019-2030)

• Milk


• Cheese


• Yoghurt


• Ice Creams

Dairy Alternatives Products Distribution Channel Outlook (USD Billion, 2019-2030)

• Store-Based


• Non-Store-Based

Dairy Alternatives Products Regional Outlook (USD Billion, 2019-2030)

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America