Walnut Milk Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Walnut Milk Market is projected to expand from USD 1.22 Billion in 2025 to USD 2.04 Billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 8.95% throughout the forecast period. This plant-based dairy alternative, created by blending water and walnuts, is naturally abundant in antioxidants and essential fatty acids. Market growth is primarily fueled by the increasing rate of lactose intolerance and a widespread consumer transition toward vegan and clean-label nutritional products. Additionally, the high Omega-3 fatty acid content inherent in the raw ingredients offers a significant functional benefit, appealing to health-focused individuals looking for cardiovascular advantages that exceed basic dietary needs.

In terms of supply chain stability, walnuts represented 20% of global tree nut consumption in 2024, according to the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council, guaranteeing a reliable source for manufacturing milk alternatives. Despite this robust supply, the market faces a substantial hurdle in the form of fierce competition from entrenched plant-based sectors such as oat and almond milk. These established categories currently enjoy superior retail distribution and consumer familiarity, which poses a difficulty for walnut milk in achieving broader market scalability.

Market Drivers

The primary engine driving the walnut milk sector is the rapid global shift toward vegan and plant-based diets, as consumers increasingly seek ethical and healthy alternatives to conventional dairy. This transition has evolved from a niche movement into a standard market behavior, demonstrated by the significant presence of plant-based options in mainstream retail channels. According to the Good Food Institute, plant-based milk retained a 14% share of total milk dollar sales in US retail markets in 2024, indicating a consumer base eager to try emerging sub-categories like walnut milk. To support this demand, the California Walnut Commission forecasted a production of 670,000 tons in September 2024, ensuring ample agricultural output for scalable processing.

A secondary driver is the relentless pace of product innovation, particularly the introduction of flavored and functional variants designed to rival established oat and almond beverages. Manufacturers are actively expanding their lineups with barista-style and flavored options to improve taste profiles and target specific uses, such as coffee pairings. For example, Dairy Foods Magazine reported in March 2024 that Elmhurst 1925 added a Maple Walnut flavor to its functional latte collection, widening the market reach. These strategic innovations demonstrate the versatility of walnuts and attract experiential consumers seeking unique flavors beyond traditional plain versions.

Market Challenges

The most significant barrier to the expansion of the global walnut milk market is the dominance of established plant-based sectors, particularly oat and almond milk. These leading categories occupy the majority of retail shelf space and benefit from high consumer recognition, creating steep entry barriers for newer alternatives. Because retailers often prioritize these fast-moving goods, walnut milk suffers from limited visibility and availability in mainstream distribution networks. As a result, producers find it difficult to disrupt current shopping habits or generate the trial purchases needed to substantially grow their customer base.

This market concentration is underscored by data from the Plant Based Foods Association, which noted that oat and almond milk accounted for roughly 78% of total plant-based milk dollar sales in the United States in 2024. This statistic reveals that the vast majority of consumer spending remains locked within these two dominant varieties. Such overwhelming market control limits the ability of walnut milk manufacturers to reach the economies of scale necessary for competitive pricing, thereby perpetuating the disparity in market share and slowing wider adoption.

Market Trends

A prominent trend in the Global Walnut Milk Market is the move toward fortification with plant proteins, vitamin D, and calcium to bridge the nutritional gap between nut-based beverages and bovine milk. While earlier products relied mainly on the natural Omega-3 content of walnuts, modern formulations are being engineered to offer nutritional parity with dairy, catering to health-conscious consumers who demand both functional density and ethical plant-based credentials. This shift was highlighted in April 2024 by FoodNavigator-USA, which reported that PLANTSTRONG Foods launched a walnut-based milk fortified with 310mg of calcium and 4.8mcg of vitamin D per serving, effectively mitigating the dietary trade-offs once associated with switching to walnut milk.

Concurrently, the adoption of verified sustainability metrics and eco-friendly packaging has become a key competitive differentiator, replacing vague marketing promises with rigorous industry standards. As shoppers increasingly evaluate the environmental impact of their purchases, the industry is formalizing its sustainability efforts to gain trust and secure retail shelf space. For instance, Pacific Nut Producer reported in March 2025 that the California Walnut Commission’s Sustainability Working Group established a new Sustainability Index in 2024. This index defines four metric areas to scientifically validate environmental stewardship, allowing manufacturers to back their green claims with hard agricultural data and strengthening their appeal to eco-minded buyers.

Key Players Profiled in the Walnut Milk Market

• Borges International Group SLU
• Grenera Nutrients Pvt Ltd.
• Elmhurst Milked Direct, LLC
• Chengde Lulu Co., Ltd.
• Hebei Yangyuan Zhihui Beverage Co., Ltd.
• Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd.
• Mariani Nut Company
• RITA Food and Drink Co. Ltd.
• Simple Foods Co. Ltd.
• The Red Honey Group

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Walnut Milk Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Walnut Milk Market, by Type:

• Pure Walnut Milk
• Mixed Walnut Milk

Walnut Milk Market, by Flavors:

• Original
• Chocolate
• Vanilla
• Unsweetened
• Others

Walnut Milk Market, by Distribution Channel:

• Supermarkets/hypermarkets
• Specialty Stores
• Convenience Stores
• Online
• Others

Walnut Milk Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Walnut Milk Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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