Alpro shifts to 100% British oats for oat Milk with multimillion-pound investment

UK – Alpro,  UK’s leading plant-based milk company owned by Danone, has announced a major shift to using 100% British oats for its oat milk range.

The move, backed by a multimillion-pound investment, aims to support local farmers, reduce emissions, and meet growing demand for sustainable plant-based products. 

The company has partnered with Navara Oat Milling in Kettering, located less than 10 miles from its factory, and will source oats from farmers within an 80-mile radius of the mill.

Reported by Alpro, the transition reflects consumer preference for brands that bolster local businesses. 

Tom Kerr, head of plant-based at Danone UK & Ireland, said, “We know that people like to buy from brands that support local businesses.”

“Moving to 100% British oats at Alpro in the UK means we can invest more in local businesses, like our farmers and our local oat mills, bringing a new quality recipe to our customers that tastes great.” 

The investment has funded upgrades to the Kettering facility, including new production equipment and utilities, enabling the site to produce 58 million litres of oat milk annually, about a quarter of its total plant-based drink output.

The new oat milk lineup, featuring original and no-sugars versions, is already available with a recipe high in fibre and enriched with calcium, iodine, and vitamins D2 and B2. 

According to Kerr, the shift to local sourcing will cut food miles significantly. 

“Previously, we were sourcing our oats from Europe. Our move to local sourcing will significantly cut our food miles,” he said. 

While the exact impact on emissions is still being assessed, Kerr confirmed that the recommended retail price will remain unchanged.

A report by Circana, cited by Alpro, shows oat milk’s dominance in the UK, accounting for 39% of plant-based milk sales, up from 25% in 2020. 

Sales have soared 77% over five years, reaching £275 million in January. Despite this, only 1% of oat milk sold previously guaranteed fully British oats, a gap Alpro’s initiative aims to close.

Danone UK & Ireland president James Mayer emphasized health as a priority, noting that plant-based drinks are central to the company’s growth strategy.

The investment builds on a prior £41 million upgrade at Kettering, improving energy and water efficiency. 

Navara Oat Milling’s managing director, James Skidmore, said the move supports local farmers by creating new markets for oats, traditionally used in porridge and cereals. 

Alpro’s sales rose 2% in 2024, with a £160.3 million turnover, cementing its position as a top player in the UK milk sector. 

The barista oat milk will transition to British oats later this year, though oat yoghurt and the discontinued “This Is Not Milk” range remain unaffected.