Consumers have been asking: “Is it time for dairy milk to finally hit retail?” That is a common question in the consumer market, and the answer may surprise you. While the dairy industry is constantly evolving, it has been under pressure from high energy and oil prices. Luckily, that hasn’t stopped it from bringing new products to market. In fact, the dairy industry has increased its private label offerings in the past few years.
Incentives to “get big” and “get out” have led to low milk prices. Dairy farmers have been forced to take on off-farm jobs to make ends meet. There have been an increasing number of suicide calls in rural areas, and dairy cooperatives have made mental health crisis resources available. Farmers are now unable to keep their farms in business, and the average milk price is far below production costs. As a result, dairy farms are closing at an alarming rate. By 2020, nearly 2,500 dairy farms will be closed in the United States.
In the United States, there are many sources of dairy products. In fact, nearly a third of all people eat dairy, so it’s no surprise that dairy milk sales have been declining. Many large dairy companies have filed for bankruptcy in the past few years. However, the boom in plant-based milk has created a demand for plant-based alternatives. In just two years, plant-based milk could make up 16% of all milk sales.
Betterland foods, a new company that focuses on creating novel food products, has unveiled the first animal-free dairy milk. The company is partnering with a startup called Perfect Day, which was founded by two vegans in 2014 to create a dairy alternative. The new products are claimed to be far more sustainable than the traditional versions. And with the increased popularity of veganism, it’s likely that animal-free milk will soon be available in retail.
In addition to soy milk, there are also some advantages of dairy-free products. Soy milk is made from soy, which is more humane than cow-based milk, and it contains calcium citrate for biocompatible calcium absorption. Other companies may add calcium carbonate to the soy milk for flavour and colour. Despite the health benefits, there are still many questions surrounding the future of dairy products. But while there’s no guarantee of a dairy-free future, a plant-based dairy product will be a big win for consumers.
Betterland’s dairy-free milk will be the first of its kind to hit the retail market. It’s hard to imagine a better product that mimics cow milk. But with its high level of whey protein, it’s a good start. The company hopes that the public will eventually accept dairy-free milk as the norm. The company is also planning to sell it in a supermarket near you.
