Plant-based milk alternatives have seen a 6% increase in value sales year-on-year, with oat milk driving market growth.
According to dairy doorstep delivery service Milk & More, research reveals 92% of consumers are looking to shop sustainably. The delivery service found that 10% of customers who buy milk also purchase a plant-based alternative, indicating a gradual but significant change in consumer habits.
Milk & More has seen the demand for plant-based milk alternatives grow by 33% over the past 12 months.
The dairy alternative sector, which has a worth of £357 million, has seen an overall 6% growth YoY as one in three brits have consumed plant-based milk within the last three months, Kantar has revealed.
At the forefront of the plant-based sector, oat milk represents 75% of Milk & More’s alternative milk sales, with 47% of its customers favouring oat milk drink, Oato.
The rise in dairy alternative sales is also contributing to the delivery company’s sustainability efforts, as 62% of its dairy-free products were delivered in zero waste, refillable and recyclable glass bottles last year.
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“The Milk & More service offering has its origins in the first doorstep delivery service, which was the milkman, more than 100 years ago,” Milk & More chief executive officer, Patrick Müller said.
“Today the service looks very different, with changing needs and requirements of our customers, we are continually evolving our service, which includes diversifying our milk range. To cater to this growing trend, we offer dairy, oat and almond milks in reusable glass bottles, such as Oato.”
Oato founder, Carl Hopwood added: “We’re delighted with the growth in sales across Milk & More. The increased sales show the demand for more environmentally sustainable packaging and we’re delighted Oato is leading this for dairy alternatives.
“With Milk & More and Oato the consumer can easily provide back their glass bottles to be washed and refilled making glass the sustainable option. With this increased demand we are investing in our facilities to widen our product and packaging options.”
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