Fluid milk processors develop specialized milk for niche markets. By adding vitamins, flavors, fiber and extra calcium, milk brands appeal to various health needs of consumers.
Despite their best efforts, unit sales of milk decreased again in the last year, to 3.9 billion units for the 52 weeks ended Aug. 12, according to market research firm Symphony/IRI, Chicago. Sales in the category totaled $11.5 billion and includes the following segments: skim/low-fat milk, whole milk, milk shakes and nondairy drinks, flavored milk/buttermilk/egg nog, and kefir/milk substitutes and soy milk.
Drinking milk for breakfast is about as old-fashioned as getting your news from the morning paper. These days, there are other options for keeping up with current events, notably iPads, smart phones, Twitter, Facebook, television and radio.