Data Discredits Plant Milk Popularity in Australia

Recent data commissioned by Dairy Australia from Nielsen HomeScan unveils that 53.5% of Australians exclusively purchase dairy milk, highlighting a discrepancy with the perceived popularity of plant-based alternatives. In the 12 months to February 2025, this dominance of traditional dairy has maintained its ground despite aggressive marketing for plant-based substitutes.

The data further indicates that only 2.1% of consumers buy solely plant-based milk, which marks a negligible 0.1% increase from last year. Meanwhile, 42.4% of Australians opt for both dairy and plant-based beverages, up from 41.4%, yet plant-based drinks account for only 10% of the market volume. According to Eliza Redfern of Dairy Australia, this modest market share reflects the ongoing preference for dairy, which continues to be bolstered by stable prices amidst general food inflation.

Industry voices like Bernie Free argue the inferiority of plant-based milk in nutritional value, often requiring additives for flavor enhancements. David Nation of Dairy Australia suggests the plant-based beverage sector has seen its growth plateau, correlating with the sustained popularity of dairy products.

Additionally, dairy pricing remained steady in early 2025, further augmenting its competitive advantage in the food sector.