Page 40 - FoodFocusThailand No.237 December 2025

SCIENCE
SCIENCE & NUTRITION & NUTRITION
Dairy Butter Equivalents:

A Plant-Based Alternative Solution

for a Growing Market

The plant-based food market is projected to reach $160 billion
by 2030, with plant-based dairy alternatives—especially
dairy-free butter—continuing to record strong year-
over-year growth. Rising demand poses a challenge
for manufacturers, as consumers expect alternatives
that closely mimic the sensory and functional
attributes of traditional dairy butter at a lower
cost. This necessitates a sophisticated
approach to innovation, giving rise to
advanced Dairy Butter Equivalents
(DBEs) designed to address the industry’s
multifaceted needs.

Navigating the Industry’s Triple Challenge One of the key ingredients driving this innovation is shea
For manufacturers transitioning to plant-based dairy solutions, butter. Extracted from the nuts of West African shea trees,
three interconnected challenges stand out: shea butter boasts a long history of human consumption,
1. Performance Parity: The primary difficulty lies in traditionally used in cooking and various food preparations
replicating the nuanced taste, texture, and functional properties across the region. It has also been extensively employed
inherent to dairy butter. Dairy butter possesses unique in the food industry, notably in chocolate confectionery as
characteristics and plays a critical role in product performance, a cocoa butter equivalent (CBE). Shea butter is crucial for
particularly in baking. Market research consistently shows precisely replicating the texture, mouthfeel, and application
that taste remains the dominant factor influencing consumer performance of dairy butter. In baking, particularly, it
acceptance of plant-based products, with consumers preferring achieves the desired crispiness, puffiness, and airy textures
baked goods made with dairy-free butter when they closely essential to items such as croissants, cakes, and cookies.
match the taste and texture of traditional butter. Its versatility extends beyond baking, performing effectively
2. Cost Stability: Economic volatility poses another across a variety of applications, including sauces, gravies,
significant concern. The price of conventional dairy butter and foodservice staples. The transition to DBEs is effortless
has seen considerable fluctuation in recent years, influenced for butter users, as they can be handled in the same manner
by a confluence of factors ranging from climate impacts as traditional butter, eliminating the need for new techniques
on agriculture to broader geopolitical dynamics. Such or a learning curve.
unpredictability complicates budgeting and supply chain
management for manufacturers, highlighting the value of stable, Cultivating Confidence in a Changing Market
predictable raw material costs. The shift towards plant-based alternatives is more than a
3. Sustainability Imperative: Beyond performance trend; it signifies a fundamental reshaping of consumer
and economics, environmental responsibility is increasingly preferences and global environmental needs. For food
paramount. Dairy production faces growing scrutiny for its manufacturers, the question is no longer whether to adapt,
greenhouse gas emissions, land and water usage, and but how to do so effectively and strategically.
overall ecological footprint. As sustainability goals become Advanced dairy butter equivalents offer a compelling
more stringent, food manufacturers are compelled to identify pathway for manufacturers to navigate this transformation
solutions that reduce environmental impact while aligning with with confidence. By delivering uncompromised quality,
long-term sustainability commitments. promoting cost stability, and substantially reducing
environmental impact, these innovative solutions empower
The Next Generation of Dairy Butter Equivalents brands to meet today’s dynamic consumer demands
In response to these complex demands, a new generation while strategically future-proofing their operations in an
of innovative Dairy Butter Equivalents has emerged. These increasingly complex and conscientious market
advanced formulations are engineered not just as simple
substitutes, but as strategic solutions to overcome performance
gaps, mitigate cost risks, and address sustainability concerns
associated with traditional dairy. They represent a significant More Information Service Info C005
leap forward, offering manufacturers a robust pathway to adapt
to evolving market demands.

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