Top U.S. Plant-Based Milk Manufacturers Leading the Market

The U.S. plant-based milk category has evolved from minor shelving in natural food stores to a grocery item category available throughout the grocery store. With changing dietary practices and increasing awareness of lactose intolerance, along with growing sustainability issues, alternatives such as almond, oat, soy, and coconut milk are now commonplace. What was originally a small health-conscious innovation has now morphed into a multi-billion-dollar industry, with innovation and products introduced every year, impacting consumer choices. Now, plant-based milk is not simply a replacement for dairy milk; it is also about diversity, taste, consumer alignment, and lifestyle habits and values. Competition is rising, and larger traditional plant-based milk companies dominate with strong brand formation, consumer trust, and continual improvement and innovation. These industry-leading companies are establishing standards for quality and growth, impacting not just what consumers are pouring in their dairy coffee or cereal, but influencing the entire dairy-alternative industry.

1. Almond Breeze

Almond Breeze is a leading plant-based milk brand produced by Blue Diamond Growers, a cooperative of over 3,000 almond growers based in California. Founded in 1910 as the California Almond Growers’ Exchange, Blue Diamond has grown to become the world’s largest almond processing and marketing company. The cooperative is headquartered in Sacramento, California, and operates additional manufacturing plants in Salida and Turlock, California. Almond Breeze offers a wide range of almond-based beverages, including original, unsweetened, vanilla, chocolate, and extra creamy varieties. These products are available in both refrigerated and shelf-stable formats, catering to diverse consumer preferences. Almond Breeze is known for its commitment to quality, using almonds grown by its cooperative members without the use of genetic engineering or gene manipulation. In the U.S. plant-based milk market, Almond Breeze holds a dominant position, with an estimated 48% market share as of 2024. This success can be attributed to the brand’s strong presence in both retail and foodservice channels, as well as its consistent product innovation and marketing efforts.

However, Almond Breeze has faced challenges in certain international markets. For instance, the brand announced its departure from Australian and New Zealand supermarkets, citing the almond milk range as “no longer competitive or profitable” in these regions.

Despite these challenges, Almond Breeze continues to be a significant player in the global plant-based milk industry, driven by its strong brand recognition, commitment to quality, and extensive product offerings.

2. Oatly

Oatly has continued to be the most dominant oat milk brand in the U.S. and has become a staple in many coffee shops, where its creamy texture has made it a barista favourite. Since Oatly entered the U.S. back in 2016, the company has successfully helped oat milk to become a standard milk alternative, partnering with Starbucks and independent coffee shop businesses. As the company moves forward into 2025, it is navigating a financial restructuring by issuing SEK 1,700 million in Nordic bonds, while simultaneously signing a new sustainability-linked revolving credit facility to refinance debts, (which include repaying a $130 million U.S. loan). During these transitional times, Oatly has announced new and innovative products, the latest being a hot cocoa oat drink, which will be released in Whole Foods in November 2025, to capitalize on the popularity of seasonal hot drinks. Revenue increased $6.2 million, or 3.0% to $208.4 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to $202.2 million for the prior year period.

Oatly, America’s Revenue, 2022 and 2023

Source: Oatly

3. Califia Farms

Califia Farms, which was founded in 2010, built its brand on good-looking packaging and high-end barista-style milks, making it a strong option in coffee shops. Its almond and oat milks have found a particularly good fit in the speciality coffee market. For 2025, Califia has embraced healthy branding with a new launch of products in its “Simple & Organic” range (for example, coconut and vanilla almond) and Califia Complete Kids, which offers nutrition equivalent to dairy but with less sugar. This will enable Califia to further strengthen its position in the family and wellness space while serving coffee culture. While Califia still has a smaller market share than Silk or Oatly, it is still a trendsetter and remains attractive to consumers seeking clean-label and natural plant-based options. Milk confuses the average person more than it ever has in the past. There are so many products in the dairy section—not only do we have 17 different kinds of dairy milk, with different fat contents to choose from, but there is also an entire aisle of plant-based alternatives. One aisle might even overwhelm a savvy consumer to decide which types and brands they want to choose. One can now choose from dozens of different types of milk in the grocery store, including traditional dairy, plant-based options, and different fat contents in dairy milk.

If someone is ever looking for something healthy in terms of milk, they advise you to look for an unflavored, unsweetened option, absolutely zero thickeners of any kind or added sugars, less than two grams of saturated fat, and, regarding calcium, you want to see anywhere near 250 milligrams or higher per serving. When following those guidelines, one of the healthiest options available at the supermarket is “Ripple Oat Milk + Protein,” at about 140 calories per serving. Horizon Organic Lowfat Milk is another healthy option in the supermarket.

4. Planet Oat

Planet Oat came into the U.S. market in 2018 and quickly became a recognisable name by focusing only on oat milk. Produced by HP Hood, the brand has become very familiar in grocery stores with good price points and widespread availability. As of 2025, Planet Oat remains the volume leader and claims to be one of America’s best oat milk brands based on industry case studies. Their product lineup–Original, Vanilla, Extra Creamy–has remained the same, appealing to a wider audience instead of focusing on niche innovation. Although they have not been as splashy with product launches as Oatly or Califia, where Planet Oat has power is affordability and distribution in mass retail settings attracting everyday consumers. Planet Oat has partnered with One Tree Planted to support their mission of making it simple for anyone to help the environment by planting trees. One Tree Planted’s projects span the globe and are done in partnership with local communities to create an impact for nature, people, and wildlife. Their reforestation efforts help to rebuild forests after fires and floods, provide jobs for social impact, and restore biodiversity across the globe.

5. Elmhurst 1925

Elmhurst 1925 concentrates on beverages that are either oat-based or nut-based, products that are committed to ingredient transparency and minimal processing. Product lines included oat, cashew, almond, and macadamia milk. Elmhurst is distributed through Costco and Whole Foods but has various pack formats exclusive to the retailers. Elmhurst has developed a reputation for clear label claims and barista-friendly formulations. Its plant-based products contain no cholesterol, are lower in sugar than dairy milk and less saturated fat, which supports heart health, and are typically lower in calories. It is sold in supermarkets and grocery retailers, coffee shops and restaurants, and has a growing food service business to airports and colleges, and also ships directly to consumers. Its products have a 12-month shelf life and don’t require refrigeration.

6. Good Karma

Good Karma is a retailer of flaxseed-based milk products that are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Their line includes original and unsweetened varieties and is flavoured with vanilla. Their market position is smaller than others; however, Good Karma targets health-conscious consumers who seek plant-based beverages with functional appeal. Certified Glyphosate-Residue Free, non-GMO, and made without major allergens, while being easy on the environment. Because good quality plants make good quality products, which make good quality humans.

7. Milkadamia

Milkadamia specializes in macadamia nut milk, which offers an enjoyable, creamy taste in a low sugar beverage. It locates itself as a premium brand marketed in the U.S. that appeals to coffee-skewed consumers and health-oriented sales. Milkadamia has developed a range of creamers and dairy-like desserts, too.

8. Ripple Foods

Ripple Foods develops pea-protein milk, which has higher protein levels than most plant-based milks. Ripple products target sustainability, protein content, and flavour. Ripple has expanded into cheese and yoghurt as it grows their position in the plant-based dairy category.

9. So Delicious (Danone North America)

So Delicious has a range of plant-based milk using coconut, almond, cashew, and oat; as well as dairy-free yoghurt and ice cream. So Delicious is a health-focused and eco-conscious brand and has a substantial distribution footprint through supermarkets and grocery stores.