The Oat Milk Market has seen an upward trend since its big break-in. From fitness-centered people jumping on it for its health benefits to vegans seeking a healthy and delicious alternative to dairy milk.
Unlike other plant milk, which dates back to the 13th century, oat milk was developed in the 1990s and is of Swedish origin. According to Wikipedia, oat milk sales in the United States increased more than tenfold between 2017 and 2019. And by late 2020, the oat milk industry had risen to second place in the plant milk hierarchy, just behind almond milk, after outselling Soy milk.
It’s only natural that the Oat Milk market would pique our interest. And we’d love to share everything we’ve learned about this thriving industry.
This statistical overview of the Oat Milk Market in 2022 will provide answers to;
- When Did Oatmilk Become Popular? The History
- Why Is Oat Milk So Popular?
- Oat Milk Market Value And Growth (How Big is the Oat Milk Market?)
- Oat Milk Market Segmentation
- Impact of COVID-19 On The Oat Milk Market. Positive or Negative?
- Global Takeover: Rise Of Oat Milk Consumption In China
- Is Oat Milk Environmental Friendly?
- Key Players/Leading Manufacturers of the Oat Milk Industry
- Relationship between the Fitness, Vegan, and Oat Milk Industry
- Future of the Oat Milk Market
Ready? Set? Here are key facts about this booming industry.
Let’s get to it.
When Did Oatmilk Become Popular? The History
Although it was discovered in the 90s’ Oat Milk became popular in 2016 after breaking into the U.S. markets.
Like every other market trendy product, there’s a story. Oatly founder Rickard Oste created the drink in the 1990s while working as a researcher at Sweden’s Lund University, searching for a lactose-free dairy alternative. This Swedish brand Oatly introduced much of the world to the rich, nutty taste of the beverage over the last decade and is mainly responsible for oat milk’s trendiness.
Not long after Oat Milk’s big break, big players in the industry like Nestle, Chobani, Danone, and the likes jumped on the train of production.
Why Is Oat Milk So Popular?
The fact that oats are low in allergens means that it is suitable for most people, unlike soy and nut milk. Furthermore, oat milk has a creamy consistency compared to other plant milk, which can be thin, making it a popular choice among coffee lovers and baristas.
Plus, it’s a great non-dairy alternative for lactose-intolerant people. By 2020, oat milk products had expanded to include coffee creamer, yogurt substitutes, ice cream, and chocolate. Oat milk can replace dairy in vegan diets or in cases where dairy is incompatible, such as a cow milk allergy.
Oat Milk Market Value And Growth (How Big is the Oat Milk Market?)
According to Grandview Research, the global oat milk market value was worth USD 2.23 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a 14.2 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2020 to 2028.
Oat Milk Market Segmentation
The global oat milk market can be classified into five segments: source, product, packaging, application, and distribution.
The oat milk industry is divided into two categories based on its source:
Conventional: The conventional segment held a dominant share of more than 70% in 2019 and is expected to maintain its dominance over the forecast period.
Organic: However, due to rising disposable income and growing consumer awareness of the health benefits of organic products, the organic source segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2020 to 2028. Furthermore, large retailers such as Target and Walmart have responded to the growing demand for organic oat milk in recent years.
Based on flavor, the oat milk market is divided into:
Plain: Due to increased product consumption, the plain segment held the largest market share of more than 65 percent in 2019.
Flavored: From 2020 to 2028, the flavored product segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate. Factors such as an increase in health problems associated with the growing popularity of herbal nutritional products and increased demand for cholesterol-free products are expected to boost demand for flavored oat milk during the forecast period.
The market is divided into two categories based on packaging form:
Carton: Due to rising demand for high-quality tetra packs and long-life solutions, the cardboard segment accounted for 49 percent of all packaging in 2019. Furthermore, the growing popularity of tetra packs carton packaging, made primarily of cardboard, is expected to drive segment growth. Because of its durability and lightness, the major players invest heavily in cardboard packaging. Furthermore, innovations such as UV protection and refrigeration-compatible cartons are propelling the segment forward.
Other types of packaging include Bottles.
By Application/Use:
With a 43 percent market share in 2019, the beverage segment dominated the market. During the forecast period, the segment will continue to grow constantly. Because of product compatibility with bakery and confectionery products, the food applications segment is expected to have the highest CACR from 2020 to 2027. In addition, consumers quickly incorporate oatmeal dairy products into their diets to boost their immune systems and reduce their risk of osteoporosis.
The industry is divided into three categories based on distribution channel:
- Hypermarkets and supermarkets
- Stores of Convenience
- Online, Others.
Impact of COVID-19 On The Oat Milk Market. Positive or Negative?
The emergence of COVID-19 positively benefits the growth of the Oat Milk market. Significant investments in data center deployment have been made due to working from remote locations.
The Covid-19 pandemic caused nations to go into lockdown, resulting in the closure of manufacturing plants and disruptions in the supply chain. This has had an impact on oat milk production and sales. However, with the growing number of lactose intolerance cases worldwide, the demand for dairy alternatives such as oat milk will grow once the current situation is alleviated.
During the pandemic, online grocery shopping has increased significantly. This also helped the upward trend of the Oat Milk Industry.
Global Takeover: Rise Of Oat Milk Consumption In China
As one of the most influential world powers, China’s influence in the global market cannot be overlooked. In 2019, the plant-based milk market in China was worth 53.69 billion RMB, with over 87 million liters sold, representing a 6.14 percent increase year on year. Oat milk is a newer addition to China’s plant-based milk market, but it is one to watch. Oat Milk gaining ground in China is a big deal.
So, is it?
It is impossible to ignore the high-protein drink’s prominent position in the Chinese market. Coffee shops in Shanghai display branded ‘Oatly’ signs at their order counters, according to DaxueConsulting. Coffee shops have played an essential role in spreading the popularity of the Swedish brand Oatly in China. While the globally recognized brand is now competing with local Chinese oat milk brands, it is largely responsible for introducing oat milk to the Chinese market after entering the market in 2016.
Oat milk consumption has increased dramatically in China since then. According to research, more than 90% of Chinese adults have difficulty digesting lactose, creating an opportunity for a thriving plant-based beverage market in the middle kingdom.
As a result, the plant-based beverage market in China is expected to grow at a 2.7 percent annual rate from 2019 to 2024. And the Oat Milk industry would definitely contribute to it.
Is Oat Milk Environmental Friendly?
Yes, oat milk is good for the environment. In comparison to cow’s milk, the production of oat milk emits 80% less greenhouse gas and consumes 60% less energy. Making oat milk also requires ten times less water than cow milk.
Oat milk has the lowest overall carbon footprint compared to cow’s milk, almond milk, and soy milk. According to research, a seven-ounce glass of oat milk contains approximately 0.4 pounds of carbon dioxide.
Key Players/Leading Manufacturers of the Oat Milk Industry
In no particular order, here are the following key players in the global oat milk market, with capacity, market shares, and recent developments such as capacity expansions, plant turnarounds, and mergers and acquisitions;
| Top Industry Players of the Oat Milk Industry |
| Califia Farms, LLC |
| Elmhurst |
| Oatly |
| Thrive Market |
| Rise Brewing |
| Pepsico |
| Danone |
| Happy Planet Foods |
| Earth’s Own Food Company Inc |
| Wangwang |
Relationship between the Fitness, Vegan, and Oat Milk Industry
It’s impossible not to acknowledge how the fitness and vegan industry has contributed to the thriving Oat milk market.
Bur How?
The growing vegan population is expected to drive the growth of the Oat Milk market in the future. Veganism is the practice of avoiding the use of animal products as much as possible, particularly in the diet. Veganism is rapidly expanding for various reasons, including weight loss, health concerns, animal welfare, and others. In addition, oat milk contains more vitamin D than cow’s milk, which has several health benefits such as bone and dental health and immune system endurance.
Food traceability has gained traction in the fitness industry, particularly as consumers become more concerned about what they eat and where it comes from. Furthermore, consumers want more variety and creativity in their diets, so they are experimenting with new products and incorporating plant-based beverage combinations into their diet regimen. Food industry players are developing a wide range of plant-based milk alternatives, including oat milk, responding to these consumer changes.
Furthermore, growing awareness of the nutritional benefits of oat milk, which is high in Vitamin B12 and calcium, has increased demand.
According to the WHO, food allergies affect over 500 million people worldwide. Food allergies were responsible for more than 150 deaths and 2,000 hospitalizations in the United States in 2018. Because oats are gluten-free, they are beneficial to gluten-sensitive people.
The influence of the fitness and vegan industry on the strength of Oat Milk is more than evident. Therefore, the oat milk industry is propelled forward by the growing demand for such needs. It provides a series of health, food, and morale-wise solutions for the market.
Future of the Oat Milk Market
The global oat milk market is predicted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4 percent, from $2.51 billion in 2021 to $2.74 billion in 2022 and $3.70 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 7.8 percent. In 2020, the global oat milk market was estimated to be worth USD 2.23 billion.
A rise in customer demand for flavor is driving the oat drink market. As a result, there is growing attention on creating flavorful and fresh oat beverage products. This is expected to aid in the growth of the Oat milk market and the development of customer loyalty. As a result of these initiatives, various oat beverage options have been introduced. In the coffee industry, for example, the Barista version of oat beverages is gaining popularity due to its foamed milk abilities.
Customers with and without a sweet tooth can choose between sweetened and unsweetened oat drinks. Companies frequently innovate and introduce new flavors of oat drinks. Vanilla, blueberry, and chocolate are recent flavor additions.
Many new developments have occurred in the global market in recent years. Rising lactose intolerance and shifting consumer preferences toward immunity-boosting products are driving the global oat milk industry. Furthermore, the coronavirus outbreak accelerated the already shifting priorities for immunity-inducing products, contributing to the growth of the oat milk market.
Customers are increasingly shifting to nutrition-dense replacements and low-calorie diets, motivating industry participants to develop new solutions. This is expected to boost sales and, as a result, market growth.
So, is Oat Milk going anywhere? The safe answer is No. Oat Milk is here to stay. And we’d continue to keep our eye on it.
