Plant-based Milk

Are alternative milks a suitable replacement for dairy milk? A paradigm shift is occurring in milk consumption, with plant-based alternatives gaining traction due to perceptions of their positive environmental impacts. Production requires less energy, water, and land, while demonstrably reducing greenhouse gas emissions. While concerns regarding nutritional parity with dairy milk exist, consumer preference for plant-based options is multi-faceted, encompassing health, ethical, and environmental considerations. This growing demand is reflected in a significant shift within agribusiness commodities. Marketing strategies now position plant-based milks as premium products, leveraging sustainability and health claims to fuel their remarkable industry rise.

From Farm to Future: Reducing Environmental Footprint with Plants

Making the switch to plant-based milks presents both advantages and disadvantages for the environment in the fight against climate change. When compared to dairy milk, plant-based substitutes often have a smaller environmental impact since they require less energy, water, and land and emit fewer greenhouse gases. In contrast to methane-intensive dairy farming, soy and oat milks are recognised for their efficient use of resources and reduced carbon emissions.

Approximately 80% of agricultural land worldwide is used for dairy farming, which produces just 18% of the world’s calories but contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, especially methane from cows. The production of one litre of cow’s milk results in roughly three times as much greenhouse gas emissions as the production of one litre of any plant-based milk substitute.

There are obstacles even with plant-based milks’ advantages for the environment. In areas susceptible to drought like California, almond milk’s substantial water input requirements indicate that the crop is not sustainable even with its reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Monoculture farming methods are frequently used in the production of coconut milk, which causes deforestation and biodiversity loss. Comparably, extensive soy farming for milk production has been connected to deforestation in areas like the Amazon, which exacerbates the loss of biodiversity and increases greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, sustainable farming methods, such as crop rotation, are necessary to optimise the environmental advantages of plant-based milks.

Concerns relating to corporate responsibility have emerged in relation to the increased demand for plant-based milks whose mass production can result in intensive agricultural methods, degraded soil, and dwindling local water supplies. Consumers may be able to play a role in encouraging sustainable consumption of plant-based milks – for example, by purchasing products from companies that uphold ethical and environmental standards through certifications like organic, fair trade, and non-GMO.

Making educated decisions that take into account a product’s whole lifecycle is key to ethical consumption. Some of these are discussed in the following YouTube video which provides valuable insights that might assist individuals in determining which milks are better for the planet.

Milk Mythbusters: Debunking Nutritional Misconceptions?

Of course, people don’t just switch to plant-based milk for environmental reasons. As the video demonstrated, we are often told that there are health and nutritional benefits. Plant based milks are marketed to us as consumers in ways that are ‘saturated’ with ‘politicised and ethical meaning’– they are good for us and good for the planet we are told. But others have questioned their nutritional benefits compared to traditional dairy milk.

Take for example the nutritional information provided in this picture of almond milk and dairy milk. Dairy milk has notably more protein and typically has higher calorie content. For example, 100 ml of cow’s milk has about 3.4 g of protein, but just 0.5 g in almond milk. In this case, the almond milk pictured has 0.7 g of protein per 100ml, which is much lower than the 2.7 g found in dairy milk. Furthermore, dairy milk provides a complete protein source, including all essential amino acids, which is frequently regarded as a vital nutritional benefit. In contrast, almond milk contains fewer calories, with 53.1 kcal per 100ml compared to 63 kcal in dairy milk. Likewise, plant-based milks are commonly fortified with vital vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin D. Unlike cow’s milk, which comprises lactose as its main carbohydrate, plant-based drinks are sweetened with sucrose and glucose. Interestingly, the carbohydrate composition differs amongst plant-based choices; some are higher in sucrose, while others are higher in glucose.

This is not to deny that plant-based milk alternatives can be a good option for those with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance, and the drive for consumers to purchase them often stems from their lactose-free nature. This is significant given that lactose intolerance affects an estimated 36% of the US population, and even higher proportions of the population in other parts of the world. Plant-based milks are usually more expensive than dairy milk, a difference in price that reflects the additional manufacturing and processing of the plant-based milk, but also how companies can market these milks as more ‘luxury’, ‘healthy’, and ‘ethical’ products, a discussion of which we now turn to.

Beyond the Bean: Pioneering Plant-Based Products

The growing market in plant-based milks is a trend driven by shifting consumer preferences and environmental awareness. As a result, plant-based milks have become highly marketable commodities, currently a US$13.24 billion market but predicted to expand into a US$30.79 billion market by 2031.

Marketing strategies play a crucial role in this. Plant-based milks are positioned as premium products, frequently marketed with health claims and environmental benefits. This positioning allows companies to charge higher prices compared to traditional dairy products, retailing at nearly double the price of dairy milks. A study of Walmart pricing in the US revealed that whilst traditional milk retails at 2 cents per ounce, almond milk retails at 4 cents and oat milk at 6 cents. Brands have invested heavily in branding and advertising, highlighting the nutritional benefits and lower carbon footprint of their products, with Califia Farms stating in an advertisement “good for you products that are also good for the planet.” This marketing not only attracts health-conscious consumers but also taps into the growing market of environmentally conscious consumers who are willing to spend the extra money for a more ethically viable option. A key feature of marketing strategy is social media engagement which targets younger and more conscious consumers with campaigns such as ‘veganuary,’ prompting a noticeable shift towards alternative milks in gen z consumers with a 35.7% increase in consumption since 2013.

Innovation and product diversification are also central to the commodification process. Companies are continuously developing new flavours and formulations to cater to diverse consumer tastes. This includes fortified versions with added vitamins and minerals, barista blends tailored for coffee shops, and different flavours. The variety and versatility of plant-based milks have far surpassed those of traditional dairy, enabling agribusinesses to capture a larger market share and meet the needs of various consumer segments. There are growing concerns about preservatives used to increase product longevity and its potential health impacts, consumers consume more manufactured preservatives than ever before and demand is growing for natural products.

Conclusion

Ethical consumption involves more than simply making a purchase decision on plant-based over dairy; it involves an extensive approach that takes into account production, ethics and sustainability. Consumers can drive demand for more responsible and sustainable products by supporting brands that prioritise organic, fair trade, and non-GMO practices. This presents a promising opportunity to reduce the environmental impact of our dietary choices, through our everyday actions as consumers. This consumer-driven change has the potential for encouraging the agricultural industry to embrace environmentally friendly methods. Nonetheless, as the plant-based milk market grows, fuelled by health and environmental motivations, it is essential to remain vigilant about the broader impacts of these products. By making informed and responsible choices, consumers can contribute to a more sustainable food system that supports long-term environmental health and social responsibility.