{"id":123917,"date":"2024-03-03T14:46:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-03T18:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=123917"},"modified":"2024-03-05T14:50:06","modified_gmt":"2024-03-05T18:50:06","slug":"dairy-industry-decline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/dairy-industry-decline\/","title":{"rendered":"The US Dairy Industry Is Declining\u2014Here’s Why"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Why is the dairy industry<\/a> declining in the United States? How are plant-based milk alternatives impacting the dairy industry? What changes are on the horizon for the dairy industry and farmers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The American dairy industry is facing an unprecedented decline, with milk consumption at an all-time low. Shifting dietary preferences, a growing concern for health and the environment, and government policies are fueling the decline and worsening American dairy farmers\u2019 woes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading for an insightful look into the US dairy industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

People Aren’t Drinking Milk Anymore<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In 2021, US dairy milk consumption <\/strong>hit an all time low<\/strong><\/a> of 16 gallons per person, down from 29 gallons in 1975,<\/strong> when record-keeping began. <\/strong>The dairy industry decline is especially prevalent among Gen Z consumers<\/a>, who purchased 20% less milk than the national average in 2022. Advocates say that to save American dairy farms, policy changes are needed to protect the industry from unfavorable competition and to help small farmers survive against agribusiness.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Switch to Nondairy Alternatives<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The primary reason for dairy\u2019s decline is a changing preference among consumers for non-dairy beverages. People are switching to milk-like beverages made from plants, or to beverages that don\u2019t resemble milk at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Plant-based milk alternatives<\/strong>. Many Americans are abandoning cow\u2019s milk in favor of <\/strong>plant-based milk substitutes<\/strong><\/a> such as almond, oat, coconut, rice, flax, hemp and soy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although most consumers still prefer dairy milk\u2014whose sales hit $15.8 billion in 2023, compared to $2.5 billion for plant-based milk\u2014substitutes have taken hold of the American psyche due to their perceived health benefits and <\/strong>eco-friendliness: <\/p>\n\n\n\n