PUBLISHER: Grand View Research | PRODUCT CODE: 2018244
PUBLISHER: Grand View Research | PRODUCT CODE: 2018244
The global dairy alternative market size was estimated at USD 36.83 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 95.91 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 12.7% from 2026 to 2033. The dairy alternative industry is growing as the prevalence of milk allergies among consumer's increases.
Furthermore, changing dietary preferences and the rising popularity of vegan diets are expected to drive dairy alternative industry expansion during the forecast period.
According to the data published in April 2023 by the National Library of Medicine, approximately 65% of the global population is lactose intolerant. In addition, consumption data published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicates that plant-based milk accounted for approximately 16% of total retail milk sales value in the United States in 2024, up from 8% in 2018.
The growing prevalence of lactose intolerance and milk allergies is expected to be a major driver of the dairy alternatives industry during the forecast period. Lactose intolerance, a genetic condition, is particularly common among Southeast Asian populations. Consumers affected by this condition often turn to lactose-free, plant-based alternatives to enhance their intake of calcium and vitamins. In addition, increasing health consciousness among consumers and rising disposable incomes in both developed and developing countries are anticipated to further fuel the demand for dairy alternatives during the forecast period.
Increasing consumer awareness of a healthy diet, coupled with rising demand for foods lower in cholesterol and fat, is expected to open new avenues for the market players over the projected period. Lactose intolerance is a very common disorder in the world, and over 60% (according to the World Health Organization) of the global population has some level of milk allergy.
Over 30 million American adults are lactose intolerant. The pattern of primary lactose intolerance appears to have a genetic component, and specific populations show high levels of intolerance, such as approximately 95% of Asians, 60-80% of African Americans and Ashkenazi Jews, 80-100% of American Indians, and 50-80% of Hispanics. Lactose intolerance is least common among people of northern European origin, with a prevalence of only about 2%.
Global Dairy Alternatives Market Report Segmentation
This report forecasts revenue growth at the regional and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2033. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global dairy alternatives market report based on the source, product, distribution channel, and region: