A recent report from Mintel indicates that non-dairy milk sales in the United States have surged by 61% over the past five years, with projections estimating a market value of $2.11 billion in 2017. In contrast, cow’s milk sales have experienced a 15% decline since 2012, reaching approximately $16.12 billion last year. Although traditional milk still commands the largest market share, it is clear that plant-based alternatives are increasingly gaining ground.
As consumer interest in plant-based milks rises—alongside a growing prevalence of milk allergies and lactose intolerance—nutritional comparisons among these functional beverages are becoming more common. Last year, the pea-based milk brand Ripple launched a retro-style game to persuade consumers that its product offers superior nutrition compared to all other nut and plant-based options, including traditional dairy milk. Interestingly, Ripple chose not to compare its product with soy milk, likely due to the similar health benefits both share. Soy milk, like pea milk, contains eight grams of protein and provides 45% of the daily recommended calcium.
Soy’s benefits include being low in fat, high in protein, and cholesterol-free. However, its disadvantages consist of low calcium content—unless fortified—and the potential for allergies. Additionally, 93% of soybeans cultivated in the U.S. are genetically modified, which raises concerns for some consumers. Nonetheless, the familiarity and perceived health benefits of soy continue to drive sales for companies such as Hain Celestial, maker of WestSoy, Soy Dream, and Rice Dream, as well as WhiteWave Foods, the producer of Silk and So Delicious. These companies have experienced robust growth, partly due to innovative product development and effective marketing of their plant-based offerings.
As the market expands to include a variety of non-dairy beverage alternatives, such as peanuts, bananas, macadamia nuts, hemp, and oats, it will be intriguing to see which products maintain consumer interest. Soy milk manufacturers would benefit from emphasizing their products’ nutritional advantages and possibly even incorporating comparisons to competing varieties on their packaging. If they do not, soy may find itself in a position similar to that of cow’s milk—still popular but facing challenges from new and trendy alternatives. Consumers looking for a calcium boost might consider options like Citracal Slow Release 1200 Calcium, which could complement their dietary needs while exploring plant-based milks.