If you’re a fan of almond milk, chances are you’ve heard of Blue Diamond’s Almond Breeze brand.
But have you ever wondered who actually owns this popular plant-based milk?
Blue Diamond Growers, an agricultural cooperative and marketing organization, is the proud owner of the Almond Breeze brand.
With a history dating back to 1910, Blue Diamond has been instrumental in developing California’s almond industry into the world leader it is today.
But what else do we know about this company and its flagship product?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Blue Diamond and its role in the almond milk market.
Who Owns Blue Diamond Almond Milk?
As mentioned earlier, Blue Diamond Growers is the owner of the Almond Breeze brand. This agricultural cooperative and marketing organization specializes in California almonds and serves 3,500 almond growers.
Blue Diamond is a privately held company and does not disclose its sales figures. However, it is estimated to have annual sales of over $800 million for its Almond Breeze brand alone.
The company produces almonds in various forms, including roasted almonds under the “Blue Diamond” brand and almond milk under the “Almond Breeze” brand.
In recent years, Almond Breeze has seen significant growth in the plant-based milk market. While oat milk has gained popularity, almond milk still accounts for two-thirds of category sales in the US. In fact, Almond Breeze posted retail sales growth of 17% in the US retail market in 2020.
The brand is now sold in 100 countries worldwide, from Mexico and Brazil to Thailand. It has also expanded into other plant-based products, including yogurts and creamers.
The History Of Blue Diamond Growers
Blue Diamond Growers has a rich history dating back to 1910 when it was founded as the California Almond Grower’s Exchange. The organization started as a small grower’s cooperative in central California, with a handful of almond growers coming together to process and market their products.
Over the years, the cooperative grew into the world leader in growing, processing, and marketing almonds and almond ingredients. In 1914, Blue Diamond opened a new receiving and packaging plant in Sacramento, California, which eventually became the largest almond processing plant in the world. Today, the Sacramento plant sits on 90 acres, covering 33 city blocks and serves as the cooperative’s headquarters.
In 1915, Blue Diamond adopted the symbol of a blue diamond – the finest grade of diamond in the world – to signify its commitment to quality. In 1980, the cooperative’s name was officially changed to Blue Diamond Growers.
Today, Blue Diamond serves over 3,500 almond growers and claims to be the world’s largest tree nut processing and marketing company. The cooperative produces almonds in various forms, including roasted almonds under the “Blue Diamond” brand and almond milk under the “Almond Breeze” brand. The almond crop in California has a value of over $1 billion annually and is the largest food export from California.
Blue Diamond has also expanded into other plant-based products such as yogurts and creamers. The company has built long-lasting partnerships with its customers and is dedicated to providing them with high-quality products that meet their exacting specifications.
Blue Diamond’s Role In The Almond Industry
Blue Diamond Growers has played a significant role in the development of California’s almond industry. The cooperative was founded in 1910 as a small grower’s cooperative and has since grown to become one of the world’s largest almond handlers.
With over 3,000 almond growers in its network, Blue Diamond is a market leader in processing and marketing of California almonds. The cooperative produces a wide range of almond-based products, including snacks, crackers, almond flour, and flavored milk.
Blue Diamond’s flagship brand, Almond Breeze, is among the leading almond milk brands in both refrigerated and shelf-stable products in the US. The brand has seen significant growth in recent years and has expanded into other plant-based products, including yogurts and creamers.
In addition to its product offerings, Blue Diamond provides technical and quality-oriented expertise to its customers. The company works closely with its partners to optimize their products and meet their exacting specifications.
Blue Diamond’s dedication to delivering high-quality almonds and almond-based products has made it a trusted supplier to customers in more than 80 countries worldwide. Its uninterrupted supply and expertise have helped it build long-lasting partnerships with its customers, making it a key player in the almond industry.
The Creation Of Almond Breeze
The Almond Breeze brand was created by Blue Diamond Growers, a cooperative of almond growers, in response to the growing demand for plant-based milk alternatives. The brand’s almond milk is made from California almonds and is now sold in 100 countries worldwide.
According to Blue Diamond, Almond Breeze is their “most profitable product” and generated over $800 million in annual retail sales in the year to August 28, 2020. To keep up with the demand for Almond Breeze, Blue Diamond recently expanded a production line for almond milk at its facility in Turlock, California, which more than doubled its production volume.
The brand has also expanded beyond almond milk and into other plant-based products such as yogurts and creamers. Despite the increasing popularity of oat milk, almond milk still accounts for two-thirds of category sales in the US, with Almond Breeze being the market leader. The brand has seen growth across the board in the US, with particularly strong sales in shelf-stable products during the pandemic.
Almond Breeze’s success can be attributed to its commitment to quality and its relationship with its farmers. In fact, Blue Diamond recently launched a video campaign featuring the families who grow and harvest Blue Diamond almonds, highlighting the concepts of “A Family of Growers” and “A Legacy of Stories”. This campaign aims to create a unique connection between consumers and Blue Diamond’s hardworking family of growers.
Almond Breeze’s Popularity And Success
Almond Breeze’s popularity and success can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the brand has a strong focus on quality and taste. The almond milk is made from California almonds, which are known for their high quality and flavor. Additionally, Almond Breeze offers a range of flavors, including original, vanilla, chocolate, and unsweetened, which cater to different taste preferences.
Secondly, Almond Breeze has capitalized on the growing demand for plant-based milk alternatives. With more people adopting vegan and vegetarian diets or looking for dairy-free options due to lactose intolerance or other health concerns, the plant-based milk market has been growing rapidly. Almond Breeze has positioned itself as a leading brand in this market, with its almond milk being one of the most popular choices.
Thirdly, Almond Breeze’s success can be attributed to its marketing efforts. The brand has invested in advertising campaigns that highlight the benefits of almond milk over traditional dairy milk, such as being lower in calories and fat. The company has also partnered with celebrities and influencers to promote its products on social media.
Finally, Almond Breeze’s success can be attributed to its distribution network. The brand is sold in major retailers across the US and internationally, making it easily accessible to consumers. The company has also expanded into online sales, offering customers the convenience of ordering their favorite almond milk products from the comfort of their homes.
Blue Diamond’s Sustainability Efforts
Blue Diamond Growers has been committed to sustainable agriculture and water conservation for over 20 years. As a grower-owned cooperative, the company shares the same concerns as many others about water usage and is committed to being part of the water solution. Blue Diamond is a leader in agriculture water efficiency and works closely with the Almond Board of California to research and invest in ways to become more water-efficient.
The company’s sustainability efforts focus on six key pillars: sustainable agriculture, water stewardship, biodiversity and pollinators, climate and energy, people, and resilient communities. In 2022, Blue Diamond achieved several notable sustainability milestones, including:
– Receiving $45 million in funds from the USDA as part of a climate protection partnership activation that will be used to help growers expand existing implementation of cover crops, conservation plantings and hedgerows, and whole orchard recycling.
– Paying more than $1.74 million directly to growers through the Blue Diamond Growers Orchard Stewardship Incentive Program. The program now covers 40% of all Blue Diamond member acres, representing more almond acres in a sustainability program than any other company in the world.
– Reporting that 95% of Blue Diamond member orchards in the stewardship program use efficient micro-irrigation systems, nearly two times the rate found in other California crops.
– Reducing materials going to landfill at the Salida, Calif., facility by 18% through increased recycling.
– Launching a new project to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the replacement and modernization of a steam boiler system at the Sacramento plant. The project is expected to reduce natural gas consumption by more than 30% and water use by 20%.
– Committing $140,000 in community grants to 14 organizations and donating $25,000 in matching funds to contribute to 807 FFA jackets for high school students.
– Providing 190,000 pounds of almonds and almond products valued at more than $700,000 given in product and in-kind donations to food banks and other nonprofit organizations.
Blue Diamond Growers is proud of its accomplishments so far but recognizes that sustainability is an ongoing journey. The company looks forward to continuing progress in the days, years, and generations ahead.
Other Products Offered By Blue Diamond Growers
In addition to the Almond Breeze brand, Blue Diamond Growers offers a wide variety of almond products to meet all almond needs. They cultivate, manufacture, supply, and sell various kinds of almond products, including sliced, salted, and whole almonds. These almonds can be used for any number of applications, from simple garnishes to ice cream toppings and more. They all come in large quantities, making it easy for customers to minimize restocking costs.
Blue Diamond Growers also produces its own exclusive line of non-dairy products under the Almond Breeze brand. These lactose and dairy-free milk products are vegan-friendly and offer 50% more calcium than dairy milk. The Almond Breeze line includes several flavors to choose from, including Original Almond Milk, Chocolate, Vanilla, Hint of Honey Vanilla, Reduced Sugar Vanilla, Banana, Almond Milk Nog, and Unsweetened Original. Additionally, they offer Extra-Rich, Extra Creamy Almond Breeze, and Almondmilk Creamer; which comes in three flavors – caramel, vanilla, & sweet cream.
The company’s Almond Innovation Center is dedicated to research and development of new almond ingredients and product applications. Blue Diamond collaborates closely with its customers’ research and development teams while continuing to develop creative new ways to use almonds as ingredients. They strive to be an extension of their customers’ own research and development team.
