More Brits using plant-based milk alternatives: Mintel
33% of customers aged 16-24 use plant-based milk alternatives in 2019.
Almost a quarter (23%) of Brits have used plant-based milk alternatives in the three months to February 2019, up from just 19% in 2018, latest research from Mintel has revealed.
The market research company cited women as one of the key drivers of this, with 26% enjoying plant-based milk alternatives and as many as a third (33%) of those aged 16-24 opt for these varieties.
The growth of milk alternatives is said to be largely fuelled by more recent category entrants such as oats, coconut and almond variants, all of which have grown in visibility as well as availability in 2018.
Whilst plant-based milk alternatives continue to grow in popularity, Mintel research says they accounted for just 4% of volume sales and 8% of value sales of white milk in 2018 and their use in cooking and hot drinks remains limited.
According to them, 25% of plant-based milk alternatives consumers use these products in cooking, compared to 42% for standard cow’s milk users. Meanwhile, 42% of plant-based milk alternatives consumers use them in hot drinks, compared to 82% for standard cow’s milk users. Nevertheless, a fifth (21%) of Brits believe nut milks add more flavour to drinks than cow’s milk.
However, Mintel suggests there are more opportunities for further growth in the plant-based milk alternatives trend, with 65% of plant-based milk users claiming they would welcome advice on how to use plant-based milk/cream alternatives in cooking/baking and 24% of non-users also interested.
“Growth in this segment forms part of a much wider plant-based movement, driven by concerns around health, ethics and the environment, as well as by consumers’ love of variety in their diets,” Mintel associate director of UK food and drink Emma Clifford explained.
