‘Dairy’ and ‘vegan’ are two words not typically connected to one another. But surprisingly, research by Innova Market Insights shows that in a five-year frame, nearly 40% of ‘dairy’ launches worldwide were vegan.
A report by FoodIngredientsFirst suggests that a surge in meat and dairy alternatives has been triggered by “rising interest in the health potential of plant-based diets”, as well as allergies and intolerances toward dairy.
FoodIngredientsFirst commented that improved taste in dairy-free products has allowed the transition from a niche industry to a “wider audience in the mass market”. An increase in vegetarians and flexitarians has also been a driving factor.
FoodIngredientsFirst states: “Interestingly, and perhaps worryingly for the dairy industry, the key growth areas globally in terms of launch activity in recent months have been dairy alternatives”.
In fact, dairy alternative launches have increased and compounded 20% between 2012 and 2016. Similarly, meat substitutes compounded 14% during the same period.
The growing availability of these products, including dairy-free milk, yoghurt, ice cream, and cheese has furthered the market. Dairy alternative drink launches grew 45% in 12 months, while dairy-free yoghurt launch numbers doubled.
The report by Innova Market Insights also adds that between 2012 and 2016, the use of vegan positioning in global food and beverage launches has tripled. This could be expected, considering the rise in consumer interest toward plant-based diets.
Image Credit: Innova Market Insights
