Why does soy milk cost so much?

Question

It is suggested that soy foods are expensive "Because veggie heads will pay it. Quite simple" (http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AjFgu6orL1AOpuVjFyENH0AjzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20071003181704AAfwlD6)

But actually, soy milk has become very mainstream, yet the price doesn't come down. Soy milk costs about 2 times as much as cow's milk. Yet soy milk is made from a crop that is a commodity (and soy is used in cattle feed), while regular milk is produced by animals that are higher on the food chain and expensive to take care of.

Is soy milk highly profitable to the companies that produce it?

Added comment: I live near Washington, DC and soy milk costs about $3.00 per half gallon compared to $3.79 for a gallon of skim milk. I have heard interesting things about home machines to make soy milk from soy beans, it would be very interesting to know the cost. People say the soy milk is great and the machines are a pain to clean up :-)

Answer 1

An excellent question; on the one hand, cows process grass and produce the milk themselves in a state that needs only storage and sterilization (or basic manipulation), while soy milk requires you to buy the beans and process them yourself to produce the 'milk', which is considerably less in volume than the beans from which it is made. On the other hand, dairy cattle aren't cheap to maintain. On the other, other hand, 'milk' milk production is a big business, and has been for some time, while soy milk production is still comparatively small-time and small-scale. I suppose a good comparison would be microbrew beer or specialist cheeses compared to the major national brands. You pay partly for smaller scale and partly for the 'special' cachet. It would be interesting to see the percent profit on some of these products, though.

Answer 2

Soy Milk Cost

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You. RE: How much does soy milk cost? My 13 month old son is lactose intolerant and can nolonger drink cows milk. Anyone know how much soy milk costs? How much should he be drinking in a day?

Answer 4

Silk soy milk is 3.50+ for a half gallon at grocery stores. You can get it for less at Sam's- but they just have the vanilla kind and it comes in a 3pk of half gallons. It's less than $9. I'd ask your pediatrician about soy milk for a 13 mos old. Another alternative is almond milk. I've had the Blue Diamond brand- the kind that's refrigerated. (I've never had shelf-stable milk- think it would taste gross). The almond milk is super sweet- tastes like a diluted milkshake.

Answer 5

There is a cost to growing soybeans and if there is a drought or other problem with the crops it costs more. The sales of soy milk are less than cow's milk so anything produced in smaller quantity will cost more.

Answer 6

I don't know where you are but I pay $2.38 for a 1/2 gallon of organic soy milk. By the way, It's very easy to make your own at home with dried soybeans(very inexpensive) with or without a soymilk maker.

Answer 7

Soy milk is a beverage made from soybeans originating from China. In Asia, the drink is common among the general population and is often served as a meal. In the West, it has gained popularity as a milk substitute for those who practice veganism or who are lactose intolerant.People make it popular and expensive.

Answer 8

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why does soy milk cost so much?
It is suggested that soy foods are expensive "Because veggie heads will pay it. Quite simple" (http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AjFgu6orL1AOpuVjFyENH0AjzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20071003181704AAfwlD6)

But actually, soy milk has become very mainstream, yet the price doesn't come...

Answer 9

have you ever tried milking a soybean? Cows are much easier!!

Answer 10

I DONT KNOW.. I THINK IT TASTE BAD THOUGH!