Arummi Foods Launches Indonesia’s First Cashew Milk Into 20,000+ Minimarkets
Indonesia's first cashew milk brand expands into mainstream retail as Southeast Asia's plant-based milk market heads toward US$15.9 Billion.
JAKARTA, Indonesia—Arummi, Indonesia’s first cashew milk brand, has launched a new 200ml ready-to-drink format as it expands beyond foodservice and into mass-market retail, targeting what it believes is one of Southeast Asia’s largest untapped opportunities in plant-based dairy.
The launch comes as the Asia-Pacific plant-based milk market is projected to reach US$15.9 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8%, according to Grand View Research. The region already accounts for more than 47% of global plant-based milk revenue, making it the world’s largest market for dairy alternatives.
Within that growth story, Indonesia stands out.
Home to more than 280 million people, Indonesia combines several structural drivers that support long-term plant-based dairy adoption: rising health consciousness, rapid urbanisation, growing demand for convenient nutrition, persistent domestic dairy supply constraints, and widespread lactose intolerance.
Research published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that up to 73% of Indonesian children aged 12 to 14 exhibit lactose malabsorption, underscoring the significant potential market for non-dairy alternatives.
Despite these fundamentals, one category remains largely absent from retail shelves across Southeast Asia: cashew milk.
A Category Built Around Local Agricultural Strength
Indonesia is among the world’s largest cashew-producing countries, producing more than 130,000 metric tonnes annually across Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara, and other eastern provinces.
Yet until Arummi launched in end of 2022, there was no locally produced cashew milk brand operating on a national scale. The gap reflects a broader challenge within the plant-based dairy sector. While many dairy alternatives sold across Southeast Asia rely on imported ingredients sourced from North America, Europe, and Australia, relatively few brands have been built around ingredients that are already abundant within the region.
Arummi believes this creates an opportunity not only to build a new consumer category, but also to create greater value from local agricultural supply chains. “Indonesia has the raw materials, the consumers, and the distribution infrastructure needed to support a thriving plant-based dairy industry,” said Nacitta Kanyandara, Founder and CEO of Arummi.
“What has been missing is a locally relevant category built around ingredients that naturally belong here. Cashew is one of Indonesia’s agricultural strengths, yet until recently, consumers had almost no access to cashew milk in everyday retail environments.”
Expanding Access Through Affordability
While plant-based milk adoption continues to grow globally, affordability remains one of the most significant barriers to trial in emerging markets. Arummi’s new 200ml format was developed to lower that barrier.
Priced at IDR 9,900, the single-serve format allows consumers to experience cashew milk at a fraction of the cost of a full-sized carton, reducing purchase risk and encouraging first-time adoption.
Available in Classic, Chocolate, and Barista variants, the range is designed for both direct consumption and beverage preparation, targeting consumers seeking convenient, grab-and-go alternatives that fit seamlessly into daily routines.
The company believes smaller formats will play an important role in expanding plant-based dairy beyond early adopters and into mainstream consumption.
From Café Adoption to National Scale
Before entering mainstream retail, Arummi focused on building credibility through Indonesia’s foodservice channel.
Since launching in 2022, the company has expanded into more than 4,000 HORECA outlets nationwide and established a strong presence within Indonesia’s specialty coffee industry.
This strategy helped validate both product performance and consumer acceptance before scaling distribution.
The introduction of the 200ml format marks Arummi’s next phase of growth as it seeks to expand plant-based dairy access beyond cafés and into everyday consumption occasions.
As Southeast Asia’s alternative protein sector continues to evolve, the company sees cashew milk as one of the region’s most underdeveloped, but potentially high-growth, segments.
“Plant-based dairy should not be limited to premium consumers or specialty channels,” said Kanyandara.
“Our goal is to make cashew milk accessible enough to become part of everyday life. The opportunity is much bigger than a single product launch. We are building a category.”
Boilerplate
Founded in 2022, Arummi is Indonesia’s first cashew milk brand. The company transforms locally sourced cashews into dairy alternative products designed for both foodservice and retail consumers. Today, Arummi products are available through more than 4,000 HORECA outlets and 20,000 retail channels across Indonesia.