Plant-Based Milk Poised to Outpace Traditional Dairy by 2030, Says Bright Green Partners Report

World 11.09.2024

Source: DairyNews.today

Plant-based milk could become 10% cheaper than cow’s milk and a common household staple by the end of 2030, provided products meet consumer expectations for taste and nutrition, including higher protein content and essential micronutrients. This shift will be driven by innovations in alternative dairy, including precision-fermented (animal-free) whey and casein proteins, which are expected to become increasingly competitive as technology advances and production scales up.

Plant-Based Milk Poised to Outpace Traditional Dairy by 2030, Says Bright Green Partners Report

According to the latest report from alternative protein consultancy Bright Green Partners, the European dairy industry faces rising production costs, projected to increase by 30% by 2040 due to environmental regulations and carbon reduction mandates. The report emphasizes the importance of investing in sustainable dairy alternatives to offset these costs and maintain industry competitiveness.

“Leaders who embrace sustainability will steer the industry toward a brighter, more resilient future,” said Floor Buitelaar, managing partner at Bright Green Partners.

The report also highlights that plant-based milk consumption in Europe rose by 25% between 2020 and 2022, signaling strong consumer interest. Experts recommend that dairy companies act now to secure their place in the evolving dairy landscape.

Bright Green Partners outlines two key strategies for the dairy sector: improving traditional dairy's ecological footprint and transitioning to animal-free alternatives. The report stresses the growing importance of sustainability as new market leaders in alternative dairy emerge, with retail price shifts expected to drive major changes in consumer demand by 2040.

Helen Breewood, Research Manager at the Good Food Institute (GFI) Europe, noted, “The dairy sector is set to be transformed over the coming years, and those who fail to innovate risk being left behind.”