Oat milk now cheaper than most cow’s milk in Germany as cost of living crisis intensifies

Oat milk was cheaper than whole cow’s milk in Germany in July, as rising inflation bumped up the price of dairy.

According to German newspaper Focus, many popular discounter supermarkets like Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd have brought up the price of long-life whole milk, organic milk, low-fat UHT milk, and pasteurised milk.

Whole cow’s milk was more expensive than ever before in July, with the cheapest milk in Germany’s retail trade now costing more than one euro per litre.

Conversely, milk alternatives like oat and almond milk were recorded as being cheaper than most animal-derived milks in July, costing 99 cents per litre.

The only milk which costs under a euro in German supermarkets is now low-fat UHT milk with 1.5% fat, which has gone up from 84 to 99 cents.

Focus reports that in the past seven months the price of long-life whole milk with 3.5% fat has gone up from 92 cents to €1.09 per litre.

Long-life low-fat organic milk with 1.5% fat has also gone up by 54% to €1.59 per litre, and long-life organic whole milk now costs €1.69.

While buying long-life milk in bulk used to help consumers save money, even a 12-pack of whole milk at 3.5% fat has increased in price. At Aldi Nord, shoppers will now pay €13.09, a sharp increase from the €9.60 recorded in December 2021.

Despite many milk alternatives having gone down in price, some lactose-free milks have also increased from 88 cents to €1.29.

Animal milk is one of the most sold items at Germany’s popular supermarkets, Aldi, Lidl, Rewe, and Edeka, according to Focus.

Plant-based options are becoming more affordable across Europe this year as inflation hits food, energy, and transportation. Earlier this month, a recent study from ProVeg International revealed that plant-based alternatives now costs less than animal meat in the Netherlands.