As, it seems non-dairy milk* is increasingly finding its place in Americans’ refrigerators. Reveals that non-dairy milk sales have seen steady growth over the past five years, growing an impressive 61 percent since 2012, and are estimated to reach $2.11 billion in 2017. While almond (64 percent market share), soy (13 percent market share) and coconut (12 percent market share) remain staples in the category, new non-dairy milk types are sparking excitement as consumers look to diversify their non-dairy milk repertoire. Indeed, new varieties have experienced fast growth in popularity as two thirds (63 percent) of those who have purchased pecan milk say they bought more pecan milk in 2017 than in 2016, while 58 percent of quinoa milk consumers say they bought more quinoa milk in 2017 than the year prior. “While almond, coconut and soy milks remain the most popular types of non-dairy milk, other nut and plant bases are gaining traction, including pecan, quinoa, hazelnut and flax milks. Both established and new brands are taking advantage of the growing non-dairy milk segment, innovating with alternative non-dairy bases.

• The Best Non Dairy Milk

One serving of dairy milk contains 8 grams of protein. No other milk can naturally compare to the amount of protein per serving that dairy milk contains. When it comes to dairy milk vs. Non-dairy milk, dairy milk contains either the same amount or even more calcium than all non-dairy milk. A few years ago, the only decision most people made when picking up a carton of milk was whether to get skim, low fat, or whole milk. Then came organic milk. And then soy milk gained popularity. Non-Dairy Milk. Technology has allowed for the creation of milk without the need of a cow or any other animal. Non-dairy milk is not necessarily “milk,” but is a milk alternative and it has just as many health benefits as dairy milk. Non-dairy milk is made from plants as well as other ingredients, such as natural flavorants.

The Best Non Dairy Milk

Innovation will be a catalyst to drive the category forward in 2018 as both mainstream bases like almond and alternative plant bases offer added functional benefits and unique flavors. We predict that new plant bases such as cashew and rice will allow new entrants into the non-dairy milk category to eventually surpass the soy milk segment, one of the first non-dairy milk segments to really take off with consumers,” said Megan Hambleton, Beverage Analyst at Mintel. As flavor innovation catches consumers’ eyes, shows that flavored milk is the fastest growing segment of the dairy milk category over the last five years, with sales estimated to reach $1.74 billion in 2017, an 18 percent increase since 2012. And it seems there will be no slowing down in years to come as sales of flavored milk are forecast to continue to grow 21 percent by 2022. Behind this sales growth is an increase in interest from consumers for their favorite flavors as two in five (40 percent) dairy milk consumers** agree that they bought more flavored cow’s milk in 2017 than in 2016. What’s more, one in 10 (11 percent) dairy/non-dairy milk consumers*** agree they are buying more milk because of the innovative flavors.