According to the Australian Dairy Plan, the plant-based milk category grew by 82 per cent to 95 million litres last year.
Califia Farms says with Veganuary taking place throughout the month of January, the demand for dairy alternatives will reach new levels in 2020, with more than 350,000 people expected to switch to a plant-based diet at the beginning of the year.
“Australians are becoming more aware of the health and sustainable benefits of eating plant-based foods and more than ever we’re seeing this reflected in the plant milk category,” says Gemma Goorjian, Marketing Manager for Califia Farms Australia.
“Recent documentaries such as The Game Changers have also contributed to the popularity of dairy-free milks such as almond and oat, and with Veganuary kicking off the new year we’re expecting 2020 to be a big one for plant milks in general.”
Veganuary is a campaign that encourages people worldwide to try a vegan diet throughout the month of January. Starting in the United Kingdom in 2014, 178 countries around the world now participate in Veganuary.
The main reason people take part in Veganuary is for their health at 46 per cent, with other motivations being animal wellbeing at 34 per cent, and the environment at 12 per cent.
Australia had the fifth most participants in Veganuary in 2019, with Melbourne coming 13th on the top city list.
Fort-seven percent of people who took part in Veganuary said they were committed to maintaining a plant-based diet.
Califia Farms says many plant milks contain more calcium, less sugar, no IGF-1 hormones, less calories and are easier to digest than dairy milk. A 2018 Oxford study found that plant-based milks, including oat and almond, require more than 90 percent less land than dairy milk.
All of Califia Farms plant milks and flavoured beverages are committed to low sugar, with the Cold Brew Coffee drinks having 70 per cent less sugar than other iced coffees on the shelf. Its new Oat Barista Blend also has half the amount of sugar of other brands.
For more information, visit www.califiafarms.com