In collaboration with the Navara oat mill in Kettering, Alpro is strategically sourcing most of its oats from farmers located within 80 miles of the mill. This initiative not only significantly reduces food miles but also supports local farmers by providing them with new opportunities for their crops.
This investment is set to expand Danone’s Alpro facility in Kettering, where an impressive 58 million litres of British oat drink is planned for annual production. This volume will constitute a quarter of the site’s total annual output of plant-based beverages.
James Mayer, president of Danone UK & Ireland, stated: “As a pioneer and global leader in plant-based nutrition, plant-based drinks are a key part of our strategy to boost growth by focusing on developing products that deliver on both health and taste.”
Home Grown
“This significant UK investment in manufacturing from home-grown oats is an exciting step forward and a great demonstration of how we’re innovating to deliver healthy and tasty food and drink sustainably.”
The demand for oat drinks is rapidly increasing in the UK, with sales surpassing £275 million, up from £155 million five years ago (Circana). This year, oat drinks accounted for nearly two-fifths (39%) of all plant-based drink sales, a notable rise from one-quarter five years ago, translating to half a million litres of oat drink sold daily in the UK.
However, it is crucial to note that only 1.3% of the oat drink sold in the UK has been certified as made from 100% British oats, based on value sales of brands claiming to use British oats.
Appetite for Plant-Based
Jon Ruberry, category marketing director of Danone UK & Ireland, remarked: “We continue to see a big appetite amongst consumers for healthy, plant-based products, with half of plant-based shoppers driven by health.”
“We are confident in the future of the plant-based category, and this expansion is a key part of our ambition to offer greater variety on supermarket shelves, meeting the rising consumer demand while benefiting local communities and farmers.”
Moreover, this announcement follows Alpro’s earlier £41 million investment in its Kettering facility, which led to the installation of new equipment designed to decrease energy consumption as well as reduce CO2 and water usage.
