The latest food and beverage industry news and trend analysis

Alpro, a subsidiary of Danone UK and Ireland, has announced the launch of Alpro Matcha. The product is positioned as the UK’s first ready-to-drink (RTD) soya-coconut-based matcha beverage, representing a significant strategic move into a category that has seen its market presence more than double over the last two years.

The launch is designed to address a shift in consumer habits toward "on-trend" coffee alternatives that offer a lower caffeine profile. By utilising a 1L format, Alpro is focusing on the "at-home barista" trend, particularly among younger demographics who increasingly prioritise convenience and premium flavour profiles.

Responding to Consumer Trends

The introduction of Alpro Matcha follows a period of rapid expansion for the matcha segment. Market research indicates that matcha’s presence in the tea and RTD categories grew from 5% in 2023 to 12% in the first ten months of 2025.

Key demographic insights driving this launch include:

• Youth Engagement: 72% of green tea drinkers under the age of 35 now consume matcha in home or office environments.

• Occasion Targeting: 80% of total matcha consumption occurs during the afternoon, a window Alpro aims to own through this specialised "pick-me-up" format.

Tom Kerr, Head of Category Management and Commercial Planning at Danone UK and Ireland, noted that the launch underscores the company's confidence in the long-term viability of the plant-based sector.

Technical and Nutritional

The Alpro Matcha formulation combines a green tea matcha base with a soya-coconut blend to provide a creamy texture and tropical taste profile. Unlike many artisanal matcha preparations, this RTD format is engineered for high versatility, maintaining structural integrity when served cold, warmed, or foamed.

From a nutritional perspective, the beverage is fortified with five essential nutrients to meet the growing demand for functional "better-for-you" products:

• Vitamins: D2, B2, and B9.

• Minerals: Calcium and Iodine.

Alpro is positioning itself as the most competitively priced RTD matcha option on the shelf. The product is currently available at Sainsbury’s, with a wider rollout across major UK and Republic of Ireland retailers scheduled for June 2026.

The launch follows a year of high-volume innovation for the Alpro brand. Recent developments include the debut of the Alpro Kids range and a multi-million-pound investment by parent company Danone North Europe to transition Alpro’s oat drink production to 100% British-sourced oats.

For B2B stakeholders, the addition of a soya-coconut matcha RTD signals a move to professionalise the "at-home barista" category. By offering a standardised, high-quality product that bridges the gap between specialised tea shops and mainstream grocery, Alpro is looking to secure its leadership in the evolving plant-based beverage landscape.