June 1 marks World Milk Day, and while the occasion was originally launched by the United Nations to recognize dairy milk, plant-based milk is increasingly taking center stage as the world’s creamy beverage of choice. Of the countless dairy-free milk varieties, none has gained fame faster or attracted a more fervently loyal following than the humble oat milk. It’s worth recalling that, just five years ago, few people had heard of oat milk and the product was virtually non-existent in most coffee shops and smoothie bars.
But brands like Oatly have opened up lucrative markets for this innovative drink, which is loved around the world for its creamy texture, low calorie count and gluten- and nut-free ingredients. According to research and market, Global Oat Milk Market It is expected to reach $6.45Bn by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 14.8%.
Here, we take a look at oat milk’s recent successes, from Oatly’s expansion to Recess’s first plant-based cup, a revolutionary ice cream shop and more.
Milk Substitutes
Oatly, the world’s largest oat beverage company, reported strong growth In the first month of 2023, its Q1 revenue increased $29.5m compared to the previous year. In addition, the company named global president Jean-Christophe Flatin, a former Mars executive, as its new CEO to simplify its structure and cut costs.
In April, Oatly partnered with Swiss International Air Lines to offer its Oatly Caffè Latte. Onboard on all flightsAnd a number of new drink flavors have recently debuted in the UK, including Light, Semi, Whole and “No” Sugar.
Expanding the selection of oat milk options, popular US brand So Delicious and Califia Farms roll out certified organic oat milks in 2023. In India, startup Oatmax claims to have launched First oat milk facility in the countryIncluding drinks that can be customized to meet the needs of different customers, such as offering recipes adapted for low calorie counts or cooking.
Apart from the liquid format, Oat milk powder Brands such as JOI and the UK’s MIGHTY and Overherd are now steadily gaining traction selling shelf-stable powders aimed at reducing waste and packaging.
chocolate
Thanks to oat milk’s renowned creaminess, chocolate makers big and small are now incorporating the ingredient to make some of their most popular items plant-based offerings.
In March, legendary chocolatier Hershey’s thrilled fans everywhere when it unveiled two New dairy-free products: Hershey’s Plant-based Extra Creamy with Almonds and Reese’s Plant-based Peanut Butter Cup, both made with oat milk.
Meanwhile, American craft chocolate maker Scharfen Berger recently announced a new line The Artisan Vegan Barks & Baking Chocolate contains 43% oat milk chocolate, which the company says is perfect for delivering the “unparalleled quality and taste you’ve come to expect from Scharfen Berger”.
7th Heaven Chocolate, made by top vegan Israeli brand Panda, is also launching in the US market after spending two years developing a unique oat milk chocolate base. 7th Heaven says its products are a “melt-in-your-mouth indulgence” with the same texture and creaminess as dairy chocolate.
ice cream
In May, the iconic ice cream purveyor Haagen-Dazs A new collection is launched Oat-based frozen dessert in Canada, featuring ingredients such as chocolate peanut butter, vanilla raspberry truffle and caramel fudge chip. The company says the collection will “exceed expectations of what a plant-based frozen dessert can taste like”.
In the US, two popular frozen treat brands, Breyers and beloved ice cream cake maker Carvel, have launched their first-ever oat milk offerings. Unilever-owned Breyers introduced non-dairy vanilla in a large 1.5 quart tub, while 90-year-old Carvel debuted its first vegan cake in double chocolate and strawberry raspberry flavors.
Also on the ice cream front, New York’s Whipped Urban Dessert Lab is taking over Manhattan’s dessert scene with its uber-popular soft serve made only from oat milk.
The oat milk boom has just begun, and we look forward to more news and breakthroughs as this ingredient continues to transform the plant-based milk market.