The Villecomtal-sur-Arros plant, the effect Danone produced fruit yogurts designated for the French market, used to be re-opened as a dedicated facility for the kill of Alpro-branded oat-based drinks.
The conversion took two years to complete and is a response to rising person quiz for plant-based meals in France and the leisure of Europe. In response to Danone, a quarter of French patrons now title as flexitarians – who disclose each animal-based and non-animal meals – making the case for restructuring its operational footprint in France clear.
Danone runs a 2d plant dedicated to Alpro product kill – in Issenheim, eastern France – and 4 in Europe, collectively with within the UK and Belgium.
The Villecomtal region can output more than 300,000 liters of beverage per day for distribution in France and 26 assorted European markets, with 90% of the total production designated for export.
The development of plant-based dairy picks
In November 2021 when the firm first introduced its intentions to convert the Villecomtal plant, Danone stated the French marketplace for plant-based meals had tripled in 7 years, and expected it to grow by extra 50% by 2025.
In response to the Factual Food Institute Europe, a assume tank, plant-based milk used to be the main class in plant-based food picks by sales trace and unit sales in 2022. Plant-based milk picks generated €2.21bn in sales in 2022, a development of seven% 365 days-on-365 days and 19% since 2020. The class held a market a part of 11% in milk, with oat, soy and almond the most up-tp-date forms.
Whereas France is with out doubt one of many biggest markets for plant-based milk by formulation of sales trace – with €190m per-nation sales in 2022 – Germany (€552m), Spain (€353m), Italy (€310m) and the UK (€309m) generated considerably more and had better per-capita exhaust.
In Europe. Danone’s Alpro is a market leader in plant-based milk picks, with Oatly being its major competitor.
