Have consumers soured on plant-based dairy products? Not at all—but there’s more work to do this year.

Last year started as the protein alternatives group, The Good Food Institute, recapped plant-based retail meat and dairy category performance.

“After growing dollar sales in 2023, the plant-based milk market declined five percent in 2024 to $2.8 billion . . . Plant-based price increases coincided with elevated inflation and tight consumer budgets, and purchase dynamics indicated weakening consumer engagement in plant-based categories. There are additional signals that, for the market to see sustained growth, products will need to better deliver on the key consumer drivers of taste, price, and convenience, while offering clear propositions to entice consumers to make the switch.”

The news wasn’t much better throughout 2025. Last fall, BNP Media’s Dairy Foods reported that the entire plant-based milk category suffered a 3% year over year (YoY) dollar sales decline to $2.4 billion for the 52 weeks ending Sept. 7, according to Circana data. Corresponding unit sales suffered a steeper 5% YoY drop to 597 million.

Can new products help turn the tide? There was plenty of activity in milks as category contenders added more protein, more unique plant-based source options and more clean label attributes. Plant-based creamers continue to proliferate and ride coffee drink trends. Last but not least, there’s a new wave of plant-based dairy spreads, cheeses and other products angling for shelf space.

APPETIZERS & SIDE DISHES • BAKERY • BEVERAGES • BREAKFAST CEREALS & BARS • DAIRY • PREPARED MEALS & ENTREES • MEAT & POULTRY • PIZZA • PLANT-BASED DAIRY • PLANT-BASED MEAT, POULTRY & SEAFOOD • SAUCES, DRESSINGS & SPREADES • SEAFOOD • SNACKS & CONFECTIONS

The Milky Way

Several new products emphasize protein to match and meet consumer interest. Danone U.S., Louisville, Colo., opened this year and launched Silk Protein, a line of Original and Chocolate high protein milks with 13g of complete protein per serving. They come in 48oz multi-serve bottles (SRP $5.99) also offer 3g of fiber and 50% less sugar than regular dairy milk per serving, the company claimed.

Also debuting this January were two new Organic Plant-Based Milks (Original, Vanilla) from Ripple Foods. The Berkeley, Calif., notes its 48oz pea protein-based product offers 5g of protein per serving and up to “2.5 times more protein than almond milk.”

Last summer saw BellRing Brands Inc., Emeryville, Calif., extend its Premier Protein single-serve line with Almondmilk Non-Dairy Protein Shakes. Each of three varieties (Chocolate, Vanilla, Coffee) each delivers 20g of non-dairy protein, 160 calories or less, and 5g of sugar per 11.5oz bottle.

More processors targeted clean label appeal. Last September, Organic Valley, La Farge, Wis., extended its oat portfolio with two Organic Valley Oat Beverages (Original, Creamy). Each features just three ingredients: organic oats, water and a “touch of salt.” They rolled out last fall with a SRP of $5.99 per 42oz carton. Mooala Brands LLC, Dallas, closed last year with a complete line repackaging and cleaner on-pack communication about ingredient sourcing, organic certification and simple formulations. Califia Farms, Los Angeles, opened 2026 with a new Simple & Organic Soymilk variety (its sixth offering). Consumers get 8g of protein per serving made with only three ingredients: organic soybeans, water, and sea salt.

Lastly, the plant-based milk category simply grows with new products from smaller ingredient base sources. Last spring saw Califia add a three-ingredient Organic Cashewmilk to its offerings. Another leader, Elmhurst 1925, Elma, N.Y., added three more milks to its Unsweetened line: Pistachio, Vanilla Pistachio and Vanilla Cashew.

In other news, chia ingredient seed supplier Benexia, Santiago, Chile, introduced Seeds of Wellness Chia Milk in 32oz shelf-stable cartons at select Costco locations across California (LA region), Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Utah, Alaska, and Hawaii as well as nationwide on Amazon. Officials say each 8oz serving delivers 740 mg of plant-based omega-3 fats, four times more fiber than leading almond or oat milks, and three times more protein than leading rice milks, with no added sugar. It’s also fortified with a good source of calcium and vitamin D.

Here’s new of are other new milks listed by ingredient source, including …

… pecans: Last February, Lifestock Inc., Austin, Tex., introduced PKN Zero with just four ingredients and no gums, added sugar, or other additives. Last November, another Austin-based company, Pecana, said its namesake organic pecan milk expanded to nearly 4,500 Stores including Walmart, Natural Grocers and Sprouts.

… watermelon seeds: Força Foods, San Francisco, introduced its MILKish watermelon seed milk in 2024. Last year, the brand’s unsweetened Original flavor won a Startup CPG “Shelfie” award (Plant-Based Alternative category).

… corn: Last year saw Maizly, Indianapolis, introduce Maizly corn-based milks (Original, Chocolate) to retailers in New York City. Officials say the milk has corn fiber and chickpea protein for a nutrient-rich experience with 8g of fiber per serving and an excellent source of vitamins A, D and E and a good source of calcium. It also incorporates coconut oil.

… quinoa: Nutrition bar maker Kyle’s Organics, San Diego, is targeting a 2026 launch of Original and Chocolate QuinoaMilq, featuring filtered water, organic whole seed quinoa and high oleic sunflower oil.

… coconut: Last year saw WholeMoon, Albany, N.Y., expand its plant-based milks line with “the first ever coconut milk that uses whole coconut meat, no oils, creams or parts.” Officials say the product incorporates blended whole-roasted almonds, oats, pistachios, soybeans—and whole coconut meat.

Cream of the Crop

Plant-based creamers remain an active category to match coffee’s ongoing popularity. Here, processors tempt tastebuds with new flavors—and appeal to nutrition concerns with more simplified formulas.

One of the most active leaders is Califia Farms, which recognized its 15-year company anniversary last March with a limited-time Birthday Cake Almond Creamer. Last August, it came back with three Simple & Organic holiday almond creamers: Pumpkin Spice, Maple and Holiday Spice. Most recently, the company opened 2026 with two more Simple & Organic creamers: Sweet Crème and Salted Caramel.

Leading with an oat base has been Planet Oat, Lynnfield, Mass. It closed last year with promotional partnership with the TV series, “Emily in Paris,” and created a White Chocolate Raspberry Oatmilk Creamer x "Emily in Paris."  Taking a more health-minded approach, the brand came back this January with two new flavorful Zero Sugar Oatmilk Creamers: Caramel and Vanilla Cinnamon.

Elsewhere, MALK Organics LLC, Austin, Tex., greeted 2026 and embraced coconut as a new plant-based formula. Three new coconut creamers have zero oils, gums, natural flavors, or fillers. The new varieties—Unsweetened, Vanilla, and Sweet Cream—will anchor the brand's “evolving creamer portfolio moving forward,” the company said.

Also committed to coconut is Laird Superfood Inc., Boulder, Colo. It closed last year with several improvements to its ready-to-serve, coconut liquid creamer line (organic coconut oil, coconut milk powder. Improvements included new post-consumer recycled packaging, USDA Organic certification, a new Caramel flavor (its fourth) and the addition of Lion’s Mane to all varieties.

 Elsewhere, Campbell’s Foodservice (The Campbell’s Company) used last year’s National Restaurant Show to extend its Pacific Food Barista Series with a Pistachio milk that officials said it suitable for across all hot and cold applications—from pistachio lattes and iced shaken espressos to pistachio cold foam over cold brew.

More Food for Thought

At first glance, the plant-based dairy foods category produced as many news headlines as new products last year. Last summer saw Schuman Cheese, Fairfield, N.J., create GPV Foods in a joint venture with retail plant-based cheese maker GOOD PLANeT Foods, Bellevue, Wash. Schuman cheese has its own plant-based Vevan cheese line for foodservice. Last November saw Melt Organic plant-based butter maker Prosperity Organic Foods, Boise, Idaho, acquire Miyoko’s Creamery, a Sonoma, Calif., maker of plant-based butter, spreads and cheeses.

In new product news, Miyoko’s Creamery last year launched a Jalapeño Plant Milk Cheese Spread as well as Oat Milk Taco Blend Seasoned Shreds. In other flavor-forward news, Canada’s Daiya Foods Inc., Vancouver, B.C., extended its dairy-free cheese line with new Chipotle Cheddar Shreds & Pepper Jack Slices. Both feature the company’s proprietary Daiya Oat Cream blend.

Speaking of cheese, judges at the Specialty Food Association (SFA) named honored Canada’s UMYUM Food Inc., Port Coquitlam, B.C., with two awards during the group’s annual Winter FancyFaire event in January. UMYUM’s cashew-based Za'atar & Spices Soft Cheese not only won a gold “sofi” award as best product in its Plant-Based Alternatives category—but also earned a platinum grand award as “outstanding new product” for the entire competition. Last October, UMYUM announced expanded distribution to the US east coast through FreshDirect, with distribution supported by UNFI.

Among those earning 2025 Salute to Excellence Awards from the Private Label Manufacturers Association was Walmart for its bettergoods Plant-Based Cheddar & Mozzarella Shredded Dairy-Free Cashew Cheese.

Elsewhere, Canada’s Nuts for Cheese, London, Ont., also expanded its line last fall with three Creamy Cashew Dips in three flavors: Dill Pickle, Artichoke & Jalapeño, and Roasted Red Pepper. In other spreads moves, Oregon’s Market of Choice, an independent grocery chain, announced plans to stock products from four up-and-coming Oregon processors including Iliana Maura Divinely Dairy-Free Butter, Hood River, Ore., whose butter features organic coconut oil, filtered water, organic blanched almonds and organic cashews among its ingredients.