Sales of lactose-free milk grew twice as fast as sales of plant-based beverages in 2019.
In 2019, lactose-free milk sales grew twice as fast as sales of plant-based beverages, with lactose-free poised to surpass almond-beverage sales this year, according to the Arlington, Va.-based National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), citing data from Chicago-based market research firm IRI.
Contrary to some portrayals, the dairy sector is full of innovation, and lactose-free is a prime example of how dairy is addressing per-capita drops in fluid-milk consumption, NMPF said. Dairy categories on the rise, including whole milk (now more than two-fifths of consumer sales), lactose-free milk and flavored varieties, are giving plenty of reason for optimism about the future of milk.