Allergies to traditional dairy products and the rise of other alternatives such as almond milk are reshaping the sales landscape for traditional dairy beverages, according to “Dairy Alternative Beverages in the U.S.,” a recently released report from the New York-based market research firm Packaged Facts.

Total retail sales of soy milk, almond milk, rice milk and other plant milks reached $1.33 billion in 2011, the report states. In contrast, the average per-capita consumption of cow's milk fell from 24.3 gallons per person in 1994 to 20.8 gallons per person in 2008, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data.

The Packaged Facts report showed that while soymilk remains the single most popular single type of dairy alternative beverage, with 11 percent of adults as consumers, almond milk is now close behind in popularity, at 9 percent. In fact, the survey showed almond milk posted the largest dollar sales gain of any dairy alternative in 2011 with a 79 percent increase.

Almond milk is growing most quickly, according to the report, because generally, people enjoy the flavor, it is a good source of unsaturated fats, is high in protein and omega fatty acids, contains no cholesterol or saturated fat and has high levels of iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc, as well as the antioxidants vitamin A and vitamin E.
Approximately 62 percent of adults who use almond milk are drinking this beverage somewhat more often or much more often than they were five years ago, according to the report.

In addition, the introduction of single-serve dairy alternative beverages has created broader opportunities for beverage manufacturers to reach a larger market, the report states. The ready-to-drink beverages fit well in refrigerated cases alongside water, juices and sodas, and can provide an immediate snack for a child or adult, a beverage to pack for lunch, or a small container for use as a creamer, along with the ability to cater to different tastes and nutritional preferences within a household.