Global Animal-Free Dairy Products Market - 2023-2030

Market Overview

Global Animal-Free Dairy Products Market was valued at USD YY million in 2022. It is forecasted to reach USD YY million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10.45% during the forecast period (2023-2030).

Products made with animal-free dairy are lactose-free. It is also a sustainable source of protein, generating up to 97% less greenhouse gas emissions and requiring up to 99% less water and 60% less energy to produce. Animal-free dairy products contain no milk or milk products. Typically, these products are made using plants, nuts, and grains.

Nutritional benefits offered by animal-free dairy alternatives is one of the key factors driving market revenue growth. The demand for animal-free alternative milk has increased globally due to problems such as lactose intolerance and milk allergy caused using cow's milk. The food industry has responded to these needs by creating a variety of milk beverages that are marketed as plant-based replacements, such as soy milk and almond milk. Some individuals who eat a vegan or animal-free diet abstain from using or consuming any animal products as they care about the welfare of animals. Individuals can choose to avoid dairy products for environmental concerns since, among other ecological effects, cows contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. These factors drive market growth.

Market Dynamics: The demand for animal-free dairy products has increased due to problems such as lactose intolerance

Lactose-intolerant consumers primarily drive the market for dairy alternatives. Besides, there is an increasing perception among consumers that lactose-free products are healthy alternatives to conventional dairy. Lactose intolerance is due to the absence of the lactase enzyme that breaks down lactose. The human population shows a reduced ability to digest lactose after infancy. Western Europe and North America's developed markets have witnessed a remarkable fall over the past two decades in the volumetric and value-based consumption of specific dairy categories. Experts estimate that about 68 percent of the world's population has lactose malabsorption. About 65% of the adult human population has this type of lactose intolerance. Consumers are inclining toward plant-based alternatives, especially in the most prominent markets for dairy products, due to their rising concerns over allergens, hormones, and unethical animal husbandry practices prevalent in the dairy sector. Moreover, the production of dairy products has significant environmental impacts that contribute to soil degradation, air and water pollution, and the consequent loss of biodiversity. These factors shift consumers toward animal-free dairy products and drive market growth.

Key players are also launching new products, which are expected to drive market growth. For instance, on March 23, 2021, Indian plant milk producer Goodmylk, whose existing portfolio consists of nut- and oat-based milk, vegan mayonnaise, chocolate, vegan butter, and peanut curd, announced it is entering the alternative cheese market with a vegan cheddar product.

However, the organoleptic profiles of novel products are key restraints in the animal-free dairy products market. Processors usually encounter challenges with solubility issues and taste while developing non-dairy products. The repeated purchase rates for these dairy-free products are far below that of conventional dairy products, indicating that the sensory profiles of milk alternatives are not yet at par with that of dairy milk and its derivatives. Moreover, some animal-free milk and its derivatives are very low in terms of both macro and micronutrients. Thus, they cannot compete with conventional dairy products in terms of nutritional content. These factors hamper the market in the forecasting period.

Market Segmentation: The milk segment accounted for the highest global animal-free dairy products market share

Animal-free milk observed as a perfect alternative to dairy beverages due to amplified calorie concerns, lactose intolerance, and the high prevalence of hypercholesterolemia among customers. Furthermore, consumers know about meat substitutes and perceive such products as safe and healthy for the ecosystem. Such consciousness has led to a growth outlook for animal-free milk products. Moreover, growing health consciousness among customers, the rising inclination for dairy alternatives, and shifting dietary patterns have amplified the importance of plant-based options in the food industry. As a result, consumers' buying patterns go beyond milk, and this tendency is gaining a grip among plant-based product fabricators.

East Asia is the most demanding region for animal-free milk, followed by Europe. In both regions, demand is expected to grow because these regions have well-established production facilities and an organized logistics and supply chain system, which are led to grow the milk segment in the global animal-free dairy products market. Moreover, an amplified preference for vegan diets influences consumers to choose cow milk alternatives. Food and beverage manufacturers are also creating new and innovative products from plant-based ingredients to attract customers. For instance, on December 14, 2021, plant-based dairy startup "alt foods" launched the first-of-its-kind plant-based milk made with ingredients such as sprouted sorghum, sprouted finger millets, amaranth, and oats. The product is available in two variants - 'original milk' and 'chocolate flavored milk.'

Geographical Penetration: Asia Pacific is the dominant region during the forecast period

Asia Pacific is the dominant region in the animal-free dairy products market. A marked increase in the reported cases of cow milk allergies and lactose intolerance drives the market in Asia Pacific. Additionally, calorie concerns and a higher prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and obesity have made consumers shift to vegan diets, thereby adopting cow milk alternatives. Enlightened consumers are becoming highly critical of dairy products' nutritional attributes. These can be a cost-effective substitute for poor economic groups in developing countries. They can also be marketed in regions where the cow milk supply is insufficient. Key players are also launching new products, which is expected to drive market growth. For instance, on November 17, 2022, Indonesia-based Green Rebel Foods launched into the plant-based dairy category. Its new category launch, dubbed "Creamy Crew," which includes cheese, sauces, and dressings, builds on its continuing innovation in the plant-based sector.

With its rapidly expanding retail market and the strain on natural resources, North America is expected to utilize more plant-based options that play a vital role in providing food and nutritional security. Consumers in the region are well-informed about the plethora of dairy alternatives, which are also more readily available than ever before. The regional market will witness growth owing to the rising number of consumers eating more plant-based foods than those adopting vegan diets.

Consumers in Europe are increasingly motivated to seek innovative plant-based products. Furthermore, the concerns regarding plant-based products' sustainability and eco-friendly aspects will generate more sales among the younger cohort. Overall, the global market is set to generate considerable market revenue in the coming years, with effective contributions from South America, the Middle East, and Africa.

Competitive Landscape:

Some major players included in the global animal-free dairy products market are Danone North America Public Benefit Corporation, The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., Blue Diamond Growers, SunOpta, Freedom Foods Group Limited, Sanitarium, Eden Foods, Tomorrow Farms, Earth's Own, and Perfect Day, Inc. The major players are deploying various strategies, including entering mergers and acquisitions, strategic agreements, and contracts, and developing, testing, and introducing more effective animal-free dairy products. For instance, on May 19, 2022, Bored Cow, Tomorrow Farm's first product and brand, used Perfect Day's animal-free whey protein to recreate a cow-free version of flavored milk, giving consumers the nutrition and functionality of traditional dairy without the environmental or ethical drawbacks. The product just completed a $10.5 million funding round. On July 26, 2022, Myprotein unveiled its first whey product free of animal products. The new Whey Forward collection, created by San Francisco Bay Area-based Perfect Day, uses animal-free whey and is available in Creamy Mint Chocolate Chip, Rich Salted Caramel, and Decadent Chocolate Brownie.

COVID-19 Impact: Positive impact on the global animal free dairy products market

The COVID-19 outbreak has put a tremendous strain on the functional milk and nutraceutical industries. Government agencies have advised citizens to eat a healthy and nutritious diet to combat the disease. This has been expected to increase demand for animal-free milk, which promoted the body's good health and optimal functioning by providing essential nutrients. Animal-free milk is necessary for the growth and repair of human cells and tissues. Plant protein is beneficial for weight loss in addition to providing the building blocks for healthy muscles and tissues. Key players have also launched new products, which have expected to lead the market growth. For instance, in February 2022, a new kind of milk hit US shelves but it is not some plant-based product designed to resemble dairy milk. Instead, it is made from whey proteins produced by microflora engineered to spit out the same proteins found in milk from a cow

The global animal-free dairy products market report would provide an access to approximately 53 market data tables, 50 figures and 200 pages