Fortunes mixed for dairy alternatives

For years, alternatives to real milk have captured a greater proportion of media attention than deserved by their relative sales. Recent US figures, published in the November 2016 issue of Beverage Industry, show dairy alternatives are not insignificant, but there are declines as well as increases.

• All plant-based/alternative beverages up 5% to 242 million gallons and up 5.2% to $1.7 billion in supermarkets and convenience stores for the year to 4th September 2016, according to IRI.

• Almond milk up 8.5% to 165 million gallons and up 7.9% to $1.1 billion.

• Soy milk down 10.3% to 44 million gallons and down 9.5% to $300 million.

• Coconut milk up 11% to 16 million gallons and up 11% to $164 million.

• Cashew milk up 57% to 8 million gallons and up 58% to $54 million.

What’s coming next ? Look out for banana, flaxseed, hemp, quinoa, rice and sunflower.