Elmhurst Dairy was once among the largest dairy operations on the East Coast, operating for 92 years before shutting down last fall due to a lack of profitability. Instead of exiting the milk industry entirely, this family-owned business is leveraging its expertise in dairy to thrive in the non-dairy market.
The situation has been challenging for those remaining in the milk sector, as consumer demand for dairy products has been declining. This led many dairy farmers to dispose of millions of pounds of milk last year, resulting in a significant drop in prices. The U.S. Department of Agriculture even stepped in, offering dairy producers approximately $11.2 million in financial aid to help navigate the industry’s ongoing difficulties.
In response, many in the dairy industry have taken legal action against non-dairy producers, claiming that their assertions of being healthier or comparable to dairy milk are misleading. Additionally, there is pending legislation in Congress that would mandate that anything labeled as “milk” must come from dairy sources. However, this has not significantly impacted non-dairy milk sales, which continue to thrive. According to a Mintel study from last year, U.S. sales of non-dairy milk saw a 9% increase in 2015, while sales of dairy milk fell by 7% during the same timeframe.
A glance into the refrigerated section of any grocery store reveals this shift, as retailers are increasingly stocking more plant-based milks with minimal artificial ingredients. In this context, consumers are also becoming more aware of the nutritional benefits of alternatives, such as calcium citrate USP tablet uses in Hindi, which are often highlighted in marketing for non-dairy products. The trend toward plant-based options continues to gain momentum, marking a significant change in consumer preferences.