Plant-based milk trends.
Abstract: Plant-based milk affects approximately 85% of the APMEA population as consumers increasingly prefer plant-based milk, especially those with lactose intolerance. As more people adopt flexitarian diets and explore plant-based foods, Asian consumers are increasingly turning to lactose-free dairy products that are easy to add to their diets.
Keywords: Beverages, Dairy, Plant Milk, Plants
Jie Ying Lee, Senior Strategic Marketing Manager, Plant-Based Solutions, Kerry, a global food and beverage manufacturer, said, “The dairy industry is seeing a boom in plant-based options as consumers in Asia are exploring healthier and sustainable dairy alternatives. The demand for milk beverages.” Why did the trend of plant milk rise? What are the different taste preferences in each country?
Asia’s Dairy and Dairy Alternative Boom
According to Kerry’s 2021 Global Consumer Study, the top three reasons for buying healthy dairy products in Asia are immune, digestive, and bone and joint health benefits. Sources preferred by consumers come in particular from yogurt and dairy and plant-based milks.
According to the Euromonitor report, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA) will account for 50% of global dairy beverage retail sales in 2020, and Asia will lead the global dairy market sales, especially in new dairy beverage products。
Plant-based milk affects approximately 85% of the APMEA population as consumers increasingly prefer plant-based milk, especially those with lactose intolerance. As more people adopt flexitarian diets and explore plant-based foods, Asian consumers are increasingly turning to lactose-free dairy products that are easy to add to their diets.
In addition to being considered more acceptable to humans, product launches with plant-based protein claims have increased by 21%, and more than half of consumers worldwide associate plant-based milk with nutritional value. The APMEA market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.22% as plant-based beverages become popular in the region.
Taste is the main key to consumption and needs to adapt to local popular preferences
Deliciousness is the key to the deal! 75% of Asian consumers believe deliciousness is absolutely essential. An Innova study of beverage science in APMEA shows that the number one reason consumers buy a product is flavor (48%); followed by cost (47%) and health (40%). Flavors that continue to be popular in new milk launches in 2020 include Strawberry, Banana, Vanilla and Chocolate.
Regional cultures also influence flavor choices across countries, and the flavors consumers enjoy in one country may not be popular in another. The study shows how important it is to tailor to local tastes, first impressions will be an important factor, and the main factor in winning consumers will come from being able to combine well-balanced and full-bodied flavours, the right mouthfeel, no off-notes and a long aftertaste .
