Non-dairy creamer market growth driven by new flavors, Technomic says

By Mary Ellen Shoup

- Last updated on GMT

New flavors are driving non-dairy creamer market growth, such as Califia Farms' addition to its almond milk creamer produce line, according to Technomic.
New flavors are driving non-dairy creamer market growth, such as Califia Farms' addition to its almond milk creamer produce line, according to Technomic.

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With 14.2% year-over-year sales growth, manufacturers are seeing an increasing demand for dairy-free creamers made with plant-based milks, a recent Technomic report found.

Total volume for non-dairy beverage creamers rose 13% last year, in contrast to total sales decline and nearly flat volume growth of dairy-based creamers, according to Technomic.

Total volume growth of the overall beverage creamer category increased 3.7% over the prior year and total sales of the category increased 1.8% compared to last year.

“A lot of the growth for non-dairy creamer is driven by flavor varieties,”​ Erik Thoresen, principal at Technomic, told DairyReporter.

“This trend continues to evolve as more dairy-based flavor options are available.”

After seeing 138% sales growth for its nut milk creamers in 2016, Califia Farms added new flavors to its almond milk creamer line including: unsweetened, vanilla, hazelnut, pecan, and caramel.

“It gives retailers a fresh way to appeal to their health-conscious and millennial-minded customers, while also helping the millions of Americans who put cream in their coffee move away from the unhealthy artificially flavored, oil-based non-dairy creamers of the past,”​ Califia Farms CEO, Greg Steltenphol, said about the almond milk creamers.

Non-dairy milk driven by different demands

According to Mintel, the dairy alternative market is booming, with household penetration growing from 27.3% in 2013, to 55% in 2016. The almond milk category is projected to grow 36% by 2020, while dairy milk sales are projected to decline 8% by 2020.

While the exploding non-dairy beverage market will likely help sales of non-dairy beverage creamers, products like nut milk are experiencing strong growth for slightly different reasons, Thoresen explained.

“Demand for dairy [milk] alternatives is driven by a somewhat different set of factors,”​ he said.

“While flavor is in the mix, the demand for these products is largely driven by consumers seeking next generation options, many of which are positioned as better-for-you or as natural alternatives.”

According to Thoresen, existing dairy creamer manufacturers could leverage their brand recognition to extend into the non-dairy creamer space.

“Because many of the existing dairy creamer companies have such strong brands, there may be future opportunities to extend branding across dairy and non-dairy designations,”​ he added.

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