Dairy alternative drinks, such as soy and almond milk, accounted for 6 per cent of total global dairy launches in 2015 says Innova Market Insights.
The market research company says this figure reflects the growth of these products in non-traditional markets including Europe.
“The non-dairy milk drinks market has seen considerable development in recent years in the light of rising interest in lactose and dairy free options,” said Lu Ann Williams, Director of Innovation at Innova Market Insights.
“Its initial spread from traditional markets in Asia to the West was via specialist health-food outlets, but in recent years it has moved more squarely into the mainstream and grown beyond its reliance on soy to a whole range of other plant-based foods, led by nuts and grains,” Williams said.
Soy continues to dominate
Soy milks continue to dominate the non-dairy alternative sector and accounted for over 60 per cent of dairy alternative drink launches globally in 2015. The popularity of almond milk also continues to grow, accounting for 28 per cent of dairy alternative beverage launches in 2015.
The latest trend: flavour variants
Innova Market Insights says that within the dairy alternative beverage sector flavour variation was identified as an emerging trend in 2015. There was for example, an increase in dairy alternative coffee drinks launched across 2015.
Health claims still important to the dairy alternative industry
Innova Market Insight says the trend for dairy alternative beverages to be marketed on health benefits continued in 2015. Over 90 per cent of beverages launched were marketed on a health platform. The most popular claim was “lactose-free”.
The use of “natural” and “no additives/preservatives” appeared on 36 per cent of launches. Within the organics category these claims were used on 64 per cent of new products.
Further industry growth expected
The dairy alternative drinks market is booming,” said Williams.
“And further growth is expected with growing interest in dairy-free and lactose free products as a lifestyle choice, rather than simply an option for those with allergies and intolerances. In the move to offer something new, we are also starting to see not only a wide variety of increasingly sophisticated flavour options, but also blends of milks from different sources,” she said.
