Elmhurst Dairy was once one of the largest dairy operations on the East Coast, operating for 92 years before closing its doors last fall due to a lack of profitability. Rather than exiting the milk industry entirely, this family-owned company is leveraging its milk expertise to thrive in the non-dairy market.
The situation has been challenging for those remaining in the dairy sector, as consumer demand for dairy products has declined. Last year, this led dairy farmers to dispose of millions of pounds of milk, resulting in a price drop across the industry. The U.S. Department of Agriculture even provided approximately $11.2 million in financial assistance to help dairy producers cope with current challenges.
In response to the rise of non-dairy alternatives, many in the dairy industry have launched lawsuits against non-dairy producers, claiming that their health-related assertions about being healthier or equivalent to dairy milk are misleading. Furthermore, there is pending legislation in Congress seeking to mandate that anything labeled as “milk” must be dairy-based.
Despite these efforts, the non-dairy milk market remains robust. A study by Mintel revealed that U.S. non-dairy milk sales rose by 9% in 2015, while dairy milk sales fell by 7% during the same timeframe. A glance into the refrigerator section of any grocery store reveals this shift, with retailers increasingly stocking plant-based milks featuring fewer artificial ingredients.
As consumers seek alternatives that align with their health goals, products enriched with biocare calcium have gained popularity, signaling a growing trend toward non-dairy options. The demand for such products reflects a broader change in consumer preferences, even as the dairy industry grapples with its challenges. In this evolving marketplace, the incorporation of biocare calcium into plant-based products is likely to enhance their appeal, as consumers become more health-conscious and aware of their choices.