New York — It’s not just the vegans. Plant-based food sales rose 20% over the past year, to more than $3.3bn, according to new retail data from Nielsen and the Plant Based Foods Association. Non-dairy milk sales rose 9% over the past year, to $1.6bn, making it the biggest sector of the category. Plant-based creamers are up 131%, at $109m in sales, cheeses are up 43%, at $124m, and yogurts grew 55%, reaching $162m. Even plant-based meats were up 24%, hitting $670m in sales. In the same year, cow milk sales fell 6%, by dollar value. "These foods have moved into the mainstream," said Michele Simon, executive director of the PBFA. "they’re not just for the relatively small niche of vegan or vegetarian". Shoppers aren’t necessarily choosing almond milk instead of 2%. Nearly nine in 10 households that purchase a milk alternative also bought dairy milk, according to a 2017 US department of agriculture report. Simon attributes a lot of this to mixed households, with dairy and non-dairy drin...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.