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- Wide Open Agriculture (WOA) is gearing up for the launch of its “OatUp” regenerative oat milk, with the product to be rolled out nationally in early 2021
- Regenerative agriculture builds soil health by supporting biodiversity above and below ground to return carbon and nutrients to the soil, reducing carbon emissions and the need for fertilisers
- WOA will concentrate on supermarkets, cafes and restaurants, while also providing direct-to-consumer distribution through its established online platform
- WOA is undertaking a feasibility study into a possible production facility in WA to minimise transport costs and associated emissions
- Oat milk is creamier and froths better than other plant-based milk like soy and almond — meaning there’s great potential to tap into the $2.8 billion global market
- Wide Open Agriculture is trading 11.52 per cent higher at $1.06.5
Wide Open Agriculture (WOA) is gearing up for the launch of its “OatUp” oat milk, with the product to be rolled out nationally in early 2021.
It will be the world’s first oat milk produced using Western Australian oats sourced from farmers committed to regenerative farming practices.
Preparing for launch
Regenerative agriculture builds soil health by supporting biodiversity above and below ground to return carbon and nutrients to the soil, reducing carbon emissions and the need for fertilisers.
WOA’s European manufacturer has finalised production and packaging of the first commercial batch after a period of research and market testing.
The first batch has been airfreighted to Western Australia for the exclusive launch in late October. The state-wide launch will roll out in November with the arrival of a bulk sea freight consignment, just in time for the festive season.
WOA will concentrate on supermarkets, cafes and restaurants, while also providing direct-to-consumer distribution through its established online platform.
Following the WA market launch, the company believes there will be significant opportunities in other “domestic states and Asian markets like Japan, South Korea and Singapore that have a proven appetite for WA oat products.”
Next steps
Aside from the environmental credentials of regenerative oat milk, there’s also the bonus that oat milk is typically ‘creamier’ and froths better than other plant-based milk like soy and almond products.
WOA Managing Director Ben Cole says there’s a potentially huge market for sustainable oat milk.
“Launching our first packaged product, into the $2.8 billion plant-based milk category is an immense step forward for WOA,” Ben said.
“OatUp will offer a new pathway for WA’s regenerative oat growers to reach conscious food consumers in Australia and Asia,” he. concluded.
WOA is undertaking a feasibility study into a possible production facility in WA. While the company’s European manufacturer can support the commercial rollout of the product, a WA facility would further increase OatUp’s green credentials as it would remove the emissions associated with transporting the raw oats and final product to Europe and back.
There are obvious commercial advantages, as the transport savings and improved margins would benefit the bottom line.
OatUp is currently going through the certification process to gain ‘carbon neutral’ status.
If successful, OatUp will be the world’s first carbon neutral certified oat milk.
Wide Open Agriculture is trading 11.52 per cent higher at $1.06.5 at 12:34 pm AEDT.
