UK milk trends 2024–25: cow’s milk vs plant-based alternatives

In offices many of us have noticed a growing debate about plant-based milk. Some team members will insist “it just does not taste the same”. Others expect oat milk for their latte, as they would find in a coffee shop. Here is what the latest UK data shows about how people are drinking milk and what it means for your workplace.

Overall milk consumption is declining

Overall milk use is decreasing 3.3% year on year. The decline is sharper for cow’s milk (-3.6%) than for plant-based alternatives (-1.0%).

Changing breakfast habits are the main drivers of the decline, with fewer people choosing cereal or milky tea in the mornings.

Cow’s milk

Cow’s milk remains the UK’s default choice but its market share is slowly slipping. Around 94.8% of all milk consumed is cow’s milk.

• Semi-skimmed is still the most common.
• Whole milk is growing (+2%) and organic milk is also growing (+5.7%) as shoppers seek what they perceive as more natural options.
• Prices rose around 2% to 81p per litre, which may influence buying habits.
• Usage is dropping fastest among under-45s, the group most likely to switch to plant alternatives.

Plant-based milks

Plant milks are now mainstream, especially for coffee. Nearly 1 in 3 UK households now buy plant milk.

• Oat milk is the clear leader, growing 7.2% year on year and currently making up around 40% of plant-milk consumed.
• Almond, soy and coconut milks remain available but are growing more slowly.
• New options such as potato, pea and hemp milk exist but remain niche (they make up less than 0.2% of new product launches).
• Plant milks still cost about 67% more per litre than dairy. Demand dropped during the cost-of-living crisis but is now stabilising.

Who drinks what

• Older generations (65+) overwhelmingly choose cow’s milk.
• 25–44-year-olds are more likely to buy plant milks.
• About 25% of parents with children under 16 now buy plant milk.
• For most plant-milk buyers taste and health are bigger drivers than environmental impact.

What this means for workplaces

Based on current UK trends here are practical recommendations for office stocking and service.

1. Keep semi-skimmed as the main option. It remains the default choice for most staff.
2. Offer barista-style oat milk. Oat is the default non-dairy choice in coffee shops and people increasingly expect it at work.
3. Consider almond or soy milk to support staff with oat allergies or those who avoid oats.
4. Label clearly all cartons as dairy or plant-based and check your coffee machine’s allergen certifications to reduce the risk of cross contamination.