(Source: flickr)
By: Katie Wismer
It seems the dairy industry is starting to realize they have some serious competition. The milk alternative market is expanding rapidly, and between almond, cashew, hazelnut, coconut, flax, soy and so many more dairy-free options – dairy milk keeps losing customers and shelf space to its dairy-free competitors.
Several reports suggest that dairy milk sales will continue to decline over the next two years, as their alternatives head in the opposite direction. Last year Mintel publish research that suggested US dairy sales will drop by another 11 percent by 2020, whereas plant-based milk sales are predicted to surpass $34 billion by 2024.
According to RaboResearch, those in the dairy industry who have invested in milk alternatives in recent years have fared better than those who have not.
It’s clear the market is embracing dairy-free alternatives, but what does this mean for the dairy industry?
Recent actions have made the dairy industry’s increasing desperation clear to hold onto customers and sales. It seems dairy state senators are trying to strike back against their competitors by banning the word ‘milk’ from packaging and advertising for every form of milk except dairy milk.
Animal rights charity PETA has decided to respond with a major anti-dairy campaign to combat June’s National Dairy Month and the dairy state senators’ actions.
As part of the campaign, PETA plans to launch 20,000 cup sleeves in dairy state coffee shops across the United States, printed with the saying: “De-Calf Your Coffee: Dairy Is Udder Cruelty. Choose Almond, Soy, or Coconut Milk.”
(Photo: PETA)
The charity plans to distribute these sleeves in the state capitals of New York, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wisconsin. PETA worked with Brite Media Group, which works with independent coffee shops across the country, and plans to place more ads in top dairy-producing states throughout the month of June.
