Albert Heijn debuts hybrid milks in Dutch market with Farm Dairy and PlanetDairy

Albert Heijn has become the first retailer in the Netherlands to introduce hybrid milk products that blend traditional dairy with plant-based ingredients, marking a significant step toward more sustainable options in the country’s supermarket aisles.

The new range, developed in collaboration with Farm Dairy and PlanetDairy, offers consumers a fully-fledged alternative to regular semi-skimmed and whole milk, positioning itself as both a sustainable and accessible choice for everyday use.

“At Albert Heijn, we pride ourselves on being pathbreakers in Dutch retail,” commented Jan de Graaf, Head of Dairy category at Albert Heijn. “The Farm Dairy and PlanetDairy partnership has enabled us to be the first to launch dairy and plant milk blends in the Netherlands.”

Hybrid dairy products have emerged as a growing trend across European markets, aiming to reduce the environmental footprint of traditional dairy by incorporating plant-based components. Such products can appeal to consumers seeking to lower their intake of animal-derived products without giving up the familiar taste and nutritional profile of dairy.

Arend Bouwer, Managing Director of Farm Dairy, said the company was “delighted to see the results of our partnership with the PlanetDairy team to bring innovative and sustainable dairy alternatives on Dutch supermarket shelves.”

Jakob Skovgaard, CEO of PlanetDairy, confirmed that the collaboration is set to continue. “This is just the first step. We are already working on our next project together: yoghurt blends,” he said.

Albert Heijn’s move comes amid rising consumer interest in more sustainable food products, as well as increased scrutiny of the environmental impact of dairy farming. Hybrid products offer one potential route to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and resource use associated with traditional dairy production.

The introduction of hybrid milks also reflects a wider push by European retailers to expand their plant-based and sustainable offerings, aiming to capture consumers who are flexitarian or environmentally conscious but not ready to fully abandon dairy.

No launch date or pricing details were disclosed in the announcement, but Albert Heijn’s hybrid milks are expected to be available in stores nationwide.