Customized Report Service – Milk alternative beverages (plant-based beverages) in Canada and in the United States

Retail sales

Retail sales of milk alternative beverages in Canada

In 2020, retail sales of milk alternative beverages in Canada were valued at $US336.9 million. Retail sales of other milk alternative beverages^{Footnote 1} represented a share of 73% of total milk alternative beverages sales, with sales valued at US$247.5 million. In 2020, retail sales of soy drinks in Canada were valued at US$89.5 million, representing 27% of total sales of milk alternative beverages in Canada. From 2018 to 2020, sales of milk alternative beverages recorded a CAGR of 7.4%. During this period, sales of other milk alternative beverages had a CAGR of 11.9% while sales of soy drinks declines by a CAGR of −2.6%. During the 2021-2025 period, sales of milk alternative beverages is forecast to record a CAGR of 8.4%. Sales of other milk alternative beverages are forecast to record a CAGR of 11.1% while sales of soy drinks are forecast decline by a CAGR of 1.8%.

In 2020, Earth's Own Food Co Inc was the leading company in terms of sales of soy drinks. During that year, the company held a market share of 40.0%, with sales valued at US$35.8 million. The company was followed by Groupe Danone with sales valued at US$20.0 million (market share of 22.4%) and Nutrisoya Foods Inc, with sales estimated at $US15.9 million (market share of 17.7%).

For other alternative milk drinks, Groupe Danone led in terms of retail sales in 2020. The company's retail sales of other milk alternative beverages were valued at US$118.2 million, holding 47.8% market share. In 2020, Earth's Own Food Co Inc had the second largest other milk alternative beverages retail sales with US$57.3 million, representing a market share of 23.2%. Blue Diamond Growers was the company with the third largest market share, with sales valued at US$23.5 million (market share of 9.5%).

Overall, Groupe Danone was the company who registered the largest retail sales of milk alternative beverages in 2020. The company had retail sales valued at US$138.2 million and held a 41.0% market share. In second place, Earth's Own Food Co Inc registered retail sales valued at US$93.2 million, with a 27.6% market share. In third place, retail sales from Nutrisoya Foods Inc were valued at US$26.2 million, representing a market share of 7.8% in 2020.

In 2020, Silk, a brand owned by Groupe Danone, was the most important milk alternative beverages brand in terms of retail sales in Canada. The brand was leading in sales both soy drinks and other milk alternative beverages categories. In 2020, sales of Silk products were valued at US$138.2 million, with a market share of 41%. Occupying the second place, So Fresh, recorded retail sales valued at US$53.5 million. Retail sales from So Fresh were all from the other milk alternatives category. In third place, Natur-a, had retail sales valued at US$26.2 million during that year.

In the soy drinks category, sales from So Good were the second most important with sales valued at US$19.0 million in 2020. So Nice came in third, with retail sales valued at US$16.9 million. In other milk alternatives category, So Fresh came in second in terms of retail sales behind Silk. In third place, Blue Diamond registered retail sales valued at US$23.5 million in 2020.

Retail sales of milk alternative beverages in the United States

In 2020, retail sales of milk alternative beverages in the US were valued at US$2.8 billion, which represents an increase of 17.7% from 2019. Retail sales of other milk alternative beverages were valued at US$2.5 billion, accounting for 88% of total sales, while sales of soy drinks were valued at US$342.0 million, representing a 12% share. From 2018 to 2020, retail sales of milk alternatives recorded a CAGR of 9.7%. During this period, retail sales of other milk alternative drinks recorded a CAGR of 12.9% while sales of soy drinks declined by a CAGR of −8.1%. Sales of milk alternative beverages are forecast to reach US$3.7 billion. From 2021 to 2025, sales of milk alternative beverages are forecast to record a CAGR of 7.8%. Sales of other milk alternatives are forecast to record a CAGR of 9.2%, while on the other hand, sales of soy drinks is forecast to decline by a CAGR of −9.7%.

In the soy drinks market, Groupe Danone was the leading company in 2020 with sales valued at US$156.7 million, representing a market share of 45.8%. The Hain Celestial Group Inc was the second most important company in terms of sales, which are valued at US11.7 million, representing a market share of 3.4%. Retail sales of soy drinks from Stremicks Heritage Foods LLC were valued at US$9.0 million representing a market share of 2.6% in 2020.

In the other milk alternatives category, Blue Diamond Growers was the most important company in terms of sales, which are valued at US$807.6 million in 2020, holding a 32.0% market share. In 2020, Groupe Danone held the second largest market share for other milk alternatives, with sales valued at US$669.1 million (market share of 32.0%). In third place, Califia Farms LP's sales of other milk alternatives were valued at US$114.9 million in 2020, representing a market share of 4.6%.

In 2020, Groupe Danone was the company with the largest market share of milk alternative beverages in the United States with 28.8% with sales valued at US$825.9 million. In second place, Blue Diamond Growers' sales of milk alternative beverages were valued at US$807.6 million, representing a market share of 28.2%. Califia Farms LP was the third largest company, with retail sales valued at US$114.9 million, representing a market share of 4.0%.

In 2020, Groupe Danone's Silk was the leading soy drinks brand in the United States, holding a market of 45.8%. during that year, 8th Continent was the second largest brand with sales valued at US$9.0 million, representing a market share of 2.6%. West Soy held the third largest market share with sales valued at US$8.8 million.

The leading brand among other milk alternatives was Almond Breeze, with retail sales valued at US$807.6 million. Silk was the second most important brand in terms of retail sales valued at US$624.0 million, representing a market share of 24.7%. Califia Farms was the third largest brand of other milk alternatives in the United States, with sales valued at US$114.9 million.

In 2020, Almond Breeze was the leading milk alternative beverages brand in the United States with sales valued at US$807.6 million, representing a market share of 28.2%. Silk was the second most important brand, with sales valued at US$780.7 million (market share of 27.3%), followed by Califia Farms, which held a 4.0% market in 2020 and registered sales valued at US$114.9 million.

New product launches in Canada

According to data from Mintel one hundred sixty-one (161) milk alternative beverages were launched in Canada between January 2018 and February 2021. Unflavored/plain, Vanilla/vanilla bourbon/vanilla Madagascar and chocolate were the three leading flavors among launched products. Launches with new packaging were the leading launch type, followed by new products and new variety/range extension of existing products. Earth's Own Food, Aliments Natura Foods and Danone were the three companies with the most launches during this period.

Examples of new products launched in Canada

New product launches in the United States

Between January 2018 and February 2021, two hundred sixty-four (264) milk alternative beverages were launched in the United States according to data from Mintel. Unflavoured/plain, Vanilla/vanilla bourbon/vanilla Madagascar and chocolate were the three leading flavours among launched products. The top three marketing claims used to described launched products were low/no/reduced allergen, dairy-free and kosher. New variety/range extension was the leading launch type followed by new product and new packaging. Danone, Lucern Foods and Califia Farms were the three companies that launched the most products between January 2018 and February 2021. The vast majority of launched products were distributed through supermarkets.

Examples of new products launched in the United States

For more information

The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service:

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Resources

• Euromonitor International, 2021
• Mintel Global New Products Database, 2020

Customized Report Service – Milk alternative beverages (plant-based beverages) in Canada and in the United States
Global Analysis Report

Prepared by: Saidouba Camara, Market Analyst

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