Soy & Almond Milk Production in European Union 2026: Industry Statistics & Trends

The Soy & Almond Milk Production industry in the European Union comprises the manufacturing of non-dairy liquid alternatives derived from soybeans and almonds for human consumption. Driven by shifting consumer preferences toward health-conscious and flexitarian diets, the sector has grown out of its traditional niche status into a mainstream beverage category. According to Plant-Based Foods Europe, the broader European plant-based food market achieved a total retail value of €5.8 billion in 2022 following a 21% surge from 2020. The sector operates in an environment focused on building localized supply chains, where the European Commission highlighted that imported raw proteins continue to do

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What does the Soy & Almond Milk Production in European Union industry cover?

This industry covers the transformation of raw plant inputs, specifically soybeans and almonds, into liquid emulsified beverages marketed as dairy alternatives. Under the European union classification system, these operations generally fall into the broader category of manufacturing other food products, as plant-based beverages are distinctly isolated from traditional dairy processing. The output includes fortified, unflavored, sweetened, and barista-formulated variations distributed through retail and foodservice channels.

• •Processes raw agricultural commodities via soaking, grinding, thermal treatment, and formulation into shelf-stable or chilled liquids.
• •Classified distinctly from animal milk production to maintain strict regulatory compliance regarding dairy terminology.
• •Excludes alternative dairy products that undergo solid-state fermentation, such as plant-based cheese or spreads, focusing purely on liquid extracts.

Who operates in the industry and how is it structured?

The European Union market features a blend of dedicated plant-based processing facilities and diversified multinational food conglomerates that have integrated plant milks into their portfolios. Production is concentrated in member states with strong agricultural processing infrastructures and high consumer adoption rates, such as Germany, France, Spain, and the Netherlands. Operators manage specialized supply chains to handle allergen segregation, organic certification, and non-GMO sourcing requirements.

• •Major production infrastructure is located across Western Europe to optimize distribution logistics and supply high-density retail networks.
• •Facilities require specialized wet-milling, ultra-high temperature (UHT) pasteurization, and aseptic packaging machinery.
• •Sourcing models are bifurcated, utilizing domestic European soy crops alongside imported raw materials to fulfill manufacturing demands.

What drives demand in the industry?

Demand is primarily propelled by the expanding demographics of flexitarian, vegan, and lactose-intolerant consumers across the EU. Environmental concerns regarding the carbon and water footprints of industrial dairy farming heavily influence younger demographic purchasing habits, shifting volume from traditional milk to plant alternatives. Additionally, the proliferation of specialized coffee culture and foodservice partnerships has established barista-grade plant milks as standard offerings.

• •Prevalence of lactose malabsorption ranges from under 10% in Northern Europe to over 50% in Southern European regions, maintaining a consistent core consumer base.
• •Widespread shifts toward plant-forward diets are evidenced by EU consumer surveys showing that up to 37% of individuals identify as vegan, vegetarian, or flexitarian.
• •Increasing household penetration is prominent in key member states, with 2024 data showing plant-based milk purchasing reached 46% of households in Spain and 37% in Germany.

Who are the notable companies in the industry?

The competitive environment is highly active, characterized by intense competition between private label supermarket offerings and established international brands. Large-scale public food corporations hold substantial processing capacity, while independent brands capture market share through premium positioning and functional enhancements. Manufacturers continuously compete on taste optimization, nutritional parity with cow's milk, and price accessibility.

• •Danone S.A. operates as a leading player in the European market, managing the dominant Alpro brand which produces extensive soy and almond lines.
• •Oatly Group AB, while primarily known for oat-derived alternatives, competes directly for market share within the broader European plant-milk landscape.
• •Rieper S.p.A. / A. Vogel Group and other regional mid-sized processors maintain localized production footprints across European territories.
• •Emsland-Stärke GmbH and various agricultural cooperatives provide raw plant protein isolates and processing solutions to the manufacturing market.

What are the recent trends and outlook?

Recent developments center on localizing agricultural sourcing to minimize scope 3 emissions and shield supply chains from geopolitical disruptions. While soy and almond remain foundational industry pillars, they face rising competition from oat-based formulations which enjoy strong crop viability within Europe. Manufacturers are actively investing in processing technologies that improve the protein content and reduce the sugar profiles of almond and soy extracts.

• •Rising input costs, energy inflation, and macro uncertainties present operational headwinds for European food manufacturers in 2026.
• •Strategic emphasis is shifting toward zero-waste processing, where side-streams like soy okara are upcycled into secondary food ingredients.
• •Investment is flowing into localized European soy farming initiatives to reduce reliance on international raw material imports.

How is the industry regulated?

Operators must comply with strict European Union food safety, labeling, and agricultural frameworks. A defining regulatory parameter is the protection of dairy terms under EU law, which strictly prohibits plant-based liquids from being marketed using designations like 'milk', 'cream', or 'butter'. Manufacturers must also navigate complex European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) guidance regarding nutritional fortifications and allergen declarations.

• •Strict compliance with EU Regulation No 1308/2013 legal standards restricts the use of commercial designations reserved exclusively for animal-derived milk.
• •Industry trade bodies like Plant-Based Foods Europe and the European Alliance for Plant-based Foods actively lobby against further restrictions on packaging shapes and marketing terms.
• •Sourcing and processing operations must adhere to stringent EU rules regarding non-GMO labeling and organic certification standards.

Government, statistical and trade sources used for this Claight analysis.

• Plant-Based Foods Europe Sustainability Review 2023 ·
• European Commission Short-term Outlook for EU Agricultural Markets 2026 ·
• European Alliance for Plant-based Foods Policy Manifestos 2025 ·
• Eurostat Agricultural Database 2025