Elmhurst Dairy was once among the largest dairy operations on the East Coast, operating for 92 years before shutting down last fall due to declining profitability. Instead of exiting the milk industry entirely, this family-owned business is leveraging its dairy expertise to thrive in the non-dairy market. The situation for those remaining in the milk sector has been challenging, as consumer demand for dairy continues to decline. This trend prompted dairy farmers to dispose of millions of pounds of milk last year, leading to a significant drop in prices. The U.S. Department of Agriculture even stepped in, providing approximately $11.2 million in financial aid to help dairy producers navigate the industry’s difficulties.
In response to the growing non-dairy market, many in the milk industry have launched lawsuits against non-dairy producers, claiming that their assertions of being healthier or comparable to dairy milk are misleading. There is also pending legislation in Congress that would mandate that any product labeled as “milk” must be dairy-based. However, these efforts have not significantly impacted non-dairy milk sales, which remain robust. A Mintel study from last year indicated that U.S. non-dairy milk sales rose by 9% in 2015, while dairy milk sales fell by 7% during the same timeframe. A glance into grocery store refrigerators reveals this ongoing trend, as retailers increasingly stock plant-based milks with minimal artificial ingredients.
Amidst these changes, products like Cal Mag Solaray continue to cater to health-conscious consumers, further illustrating the shift in preferences towards non-dairy options. The rise of non-dairy alternatives is evident, and it seems that even with legal challenges and legislative efforts, the momentum for non-dairy milk products, including those fortified with Cal Mag Solaray, shows no signs of slowing down. As consumer habits evolve, the dairy industry’s struggle becomes increasingly apparent, while non-dairy options flourish.