Breastfeeding is the most affordable and best nutrition for your baby. When a parent chooses formula after breastfeeding, we regularly get asked at Kabrita: why is goat milk-based formula more expensive than cow milk-based formula? This article explains a few reasons.
More expensive raw materials
The main reason is the use of more exclusive, and therefore more expensive, raw materials. Kabrita is made from the best ingredients, including high-quality Dutch goat milk. Goat milk costs around twice as much as cow milk - partly because a goat simply produces less milk than a cow (averaging 2.5 to 3 litres, versus around 30 litres for cows), and goat farming involves higher care costs. Since we only accept the highest-quality milk from our goat farmers, that's reflected in the price too.
For other ingredients too, we consciously choose the best option, not always the cheapest. For example, Kabrita uses a fat blend normally reserved for specialist formulas. And because we don't want to use cow's milk proteins in Kabrita, we add DHA and AA without a cow's milk protein carrier - even though that would be the more common, cheaper solution.
Limited economies of scale
The market for goat milk-based formula is still relatively small, and Kabrita can be considered a niche product. Where big brands produce cow milk-based formula continuously on a large scale, Kabrita is made in relatively small batches - with thorough cleaning of production lines before and after each run to prevent cross-contamination. This smaller scale means we don't benefit from the same economies of scale as large manufacturers, including in logistics and distribution.
Lower retailer margins
A less obvious but genuinely relevant reason: supermarkets often treat standard formula as a loss-leader product, applying a low or even zero margin. The thinking is that a customer buying formula will also pick up nappies and other groceries, where the margin is made instead. This is a well-known retail strategy, and helps explain why formula is often more expensive online than in-store.
Goat milk: a valuable alternative
Goat milk has a number of unique properties that make it, despite the higher price, a good alternative to cow milk-based formula. Parents gain an extra option after breastfeeding, and the mildness of goat milk makes a noticeable difference for many babies and toddlers.
About Kabrita
Kabrita goat milk-based formula is a Dutch product that combines mild Dutch goat milk with a modern composition based on the latest scientific insights, resulting in a complete formula that delivers key nutrients gently.