2026
10
A Year of Innovation in Dairy and Non-Dairy Drinks 2026
2026-05-22T12:00:41+00:00
REPCBAF801F_8C5C_493B_AF80_1F8C5CA93B7E
2195
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Report
en_GB
Brands are working to modernise milk's image through innovation around functional, high-protein options, more-indulgent flavours, and canned formats. Amrin Walji, Senior Innovation Analyst…
Global
Dairy and Dairy Substitute Drinks
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A Year of Innovation in Dairy and Non-Dairy Drinks 2026

"Brands are working to modernise milk's image through innovation around functional, high-protein options, more-indulgent flavours, and canned formats."

Amrin Walji, Senior Innovation Analyst

Amrin Walji, Senior Innovation Analyst

Explore the latest innovation in dairy and non-dairy drinks in 2026 with Mintel’s global innovation report. The report identifies the major launch activities, pivotal consumer attitudes and most important product development of the year across the globe.

Key innovation trends in the dairy drinks market are analysed and succinctly presented alongside Mintel’s consumer data and insights. So you can understand changing consumer demands and identify future growth opportunities.

This report also presents Mintel’s analysts’ pick of the most innovative launches in the global dairy and non-dairy drinks market. Understanding innovation in milk and dairy has never been so easy.

Collapse All
    • What we’ve seen
    • Our pick of the most innovative launches in this review
    • Other innovative launches
    • Global spotlight: launch activity in plant-based drinks declines, while flavoured milk introductions ramp up
    • Graph 1: dairy and non-dairy drink launches, by sub-category, 2021-26
  1. EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA (EMEA)

    • Europe: milk brands embrace indulgence through flavour innovation
    • Consumers are keen to see a wider variety of flavours in milk
    • Pistachio-flavoured milks are rising in launch activity
    • Graph 2: flavoured milk launches, by top 10 flavour component, 2024-26
    • Brands seek flavour inspiration from the Dubai chocolate trend
    • Dessert and bakery flavours are also embraced to enhance indulgence
    • Brand renovation/innovation: Tom Parker Creamery looks to botanicals to launch a flavourful bedtime milk
    • Europe: drinking yogurts offer various functional benefits
    • Consumers choose drinking yogurts for their health benefits
    • Brands highlight the health benefits of drinking yogurts
    • Graph 3: drinking yogurt launches, by select functional claims, 2024-26
    • Yogurt drinks cover various functional wellness needs
    • Brand renovation/innovation: Nora launches candy-inspired immunity yogurt
    • The Middle East & Africa (MEA)
    • MEA: dairy drink brands find flavour inspiration in heritage and tradition
    • Brand renovation/innovation: Noug bottles heritage through its oud-infused camel’s milk
  2. ASIA PACIFIC (APAC)

    • Asia: organic milk records a surge in launch activity
    • Consumers prioritise ethical claims when buying drinks
    • Organic claims rise in white milk launches
    • Organic milk products emphasise high-quality milk sourcing, purity and animal welfare claims
    • Asia: brands focus on adding flavour to plant-based drinks
    • Plant-based drinks often fall short on taste
    • Unflavoured varieties dominate Asia’s plant-based drinks market
    • Graph 4: plant-based drinks launches, by select flavours (including blend), 2025-26
    • Soy milk brands seek inspiration from dessert, floral and tea flavours for greater indulgence
    • Brand renovation/innovation: Kikkoman launches sweet-potato-flavoured soy milk with added fibre
    • Australia & New Zealand
    • Drinking yogurt brands find flavour inspiration in other beverage categories
  3. THE AMERICAS

    • North America: flavoured milk brands look beyond traditional bottles and cartons
    • Consumers perceive aluminium cans as convenient
    • Flavoured milk brands turn increasingly to canned formats, though bottles remain dominant
    • Graph 5: flavoured milk launches, by top three pack types, 2024-26
    • Aluminium cans are emerging as a viable format for flavoured milk
    • North America: brands explore dairy-alternative ingredients in plant-based milks
    • Consumers are open to trying emerging non-dairy milks
    • In North America, oat and almond are the most popular bases for plant-based drinks
    • Graph 6: plant-based drink launches, by select food ingredients (including all children), 2023-26
    • Novel plant bases are gaining traction in North America
    • Brand renovation/innovation: Jindilli Beverages disrupts the plant-based milk category by launching oat milk slices
    • Latin America: high/added protein claims rise among white milk launches
    • Consumers show interest in dairy-milk-based protein beverages
    • Graph 7: white milk launches, by high/added protein claims, 2021-26
    • High-protein white milk launches offering more than a standard ‘good source of protein’ claim

What is 'A Year of Innovation' Report?

To truly understand a market, it’s essential to look at the products that are shaping it. Our ‘A Year of Innovation’ reports provide a detailed review of specific categories, focusing on the most notable product launches from the past 12 months. These reports are designed to give you a clear and comprehensive picture of recent innovation and its impact.

How We Analyse a Year of Innovation

By deconstructing the past year’s activity, we can provide valuable context for your current and future strategies. Here’s how we do it.

A Deep Dive into Product Launches

The core of these reports is a thorough examination of new products. We go beyond simply listing what’s new. Our analysis delves into the “why” behind each product launch, exploring the strategies, ingredients, and marketing claims that are driving innovation. This helps you understand what’s working, what’s not, and where the market is headed.

Powered by the Global New Products Database (GNPD)

Our insights are built on a foundation of robust data from Mintel’s Global New Products Database (GNPD). This powerful tool tracks and catalogues new product launches from around the world. By leveraging the GNPD, we offer a complete exploration of innovative activity within your category, ensuring our analysis is comprehensive, accurate, and relevant.

Uncovering Trends and Consumer Shifts

Our ‘A Year of Innovation’ reports are designed to equip you with actionable insights into how to lead innovation in your category. By studying recent product launches, we can identify shifting consumer habits and preferences. These reports help you connect the dots between what consumers want and how companies are responding. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of emerging trends, allowing you to refine your own product development and marketing strategies with confidence.

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