The plant-based milk market is expected to exceed $16bn this year, according to ProVeg UK.

Last year, the company partnered with Plant Based News to found the World Plant Milk Day event, which is held on 22 August every year. The event is designed to raise awareness and encourage customers to switch from dairy milk to plant-based milk.

ProVeg is an international food awareness organisation that aims to reduce animal-based product consumption by 50% worldwide by 2040.

ProVeg’s UK campaigns head ZephieBegolo said: “Never before have we seen people across the world transition so quickly from one foodstuff to its alternatives in this way.

“Consumers can now buy a huge variety of plant milk and dairy alternatives and they are more readily available than ever.”

“People are quickly realising that plant milk outweighs dairy in terms of benefits for personal health, animal welfare and the environment.”

Figures indicate that there are less than 9,500 dairy farms operating in the UK, a reduction of around 3,500 from 2008. The number is expected to continue declining, lowering to 5,000 dairy farms in 2025.

It has been suggested that these figures demonstrate a significant shift towards plant-based milk.

ZephieBegolo further added: “Consumers can now buy a huge variety of plant milk and dairy alternatives and they are more readily available than ever. And with big supermarkets, high street chains, retailers and food outlets buying into the trend, it seems it is unstoppable.”

It is estimated that the dairy alternatives industry would increase to $35bn by 2024, as more than 58% of people in the US now using or have tried plant milk.