Global Plant-Based Food Market Size, Share, and Trends Analysis Report – Industry Overview and Forecast to 2031

Plant-Based Food Market Analysis

The plant-based food market has seen significant growth, driven by advancements in food technology and changing consumer preferences. Recent methods, such as precision fermentation and cellular agriculture, are revolutionizing how plant-based foods are produced. Precision fermentation enhances the nutritional profile and flavor of plant-based products, while cellular agriculture allows for the cultivation of animal proteins without traditional livestock, providing a sustainable alternative.

The use of innovative ingredients such as pea protein, jackfruit, and algae is expanding, enabling brands to create diverse products ranging from meat alternatives to dairy substitutes. Enhanced food processing technologies, such as high-pressure processing and extrusion, have improved product texture and taste, making plant-based options more appealing to consumers.

Growth in the market is also fueled by increasing awareness of health benefits and environmental concerns associated with animal agriculture. The combination of technological advancements and shifting consumer behavior is driving this upward trajectory, positioning plant-based foods as a vital segment in the food industry.

Plant-Based Food Market Size

The global plant-based food market size was valued at USD 22.58 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 140.71 billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 25.7% during the forecast period of 2024 to 2031. In addition to the insights on market scenarios such as market value, growth rate, segmentation, geographical coverage, and major players, the market reports curated by the Data Bridge Market Research also include in-depth expert analysis, pricing analysis, brand share analysis, consumer survey, demography analysis, supply chain analysis, value chain analysis, raw material/consumables overview, vendor selection criteria, PESTLE Analysis, Porter Analysis, and regulatory framework.

Plant-Based Food Market Trends

“Rising Demand for Plant-Based Protein Sources”

The plant-based food market is witnessing a significant trend toward the adoption of plant-based protein sources, driven by growing health awareness and sustainability concerns. Products like pea protein, soy, and lentils are gaining popularity among consumers seeking alternatives to animal-based proteins. For instance, in March 2024, The Kraft Heinz Not Company LLC has made a significant stride in plant-based offerings by launching NotHotDogs and NotSausages, marking the first plant-based products under the iconic Oscar Mayer brand. This joint venture with NotCo aims to deliver the savory and smoky flavors that fans have cherished for over 140 years, aligning with the mission to create delectable plant-based foods accessible to all.

Report Scope and Plant-Based Food Market Segmentation   

Plant-Based Food Market Definition

Plant-based food primarily consists of ingredients derived from plants, including fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. This dietary approach emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods, focusing on natural flavors and nutrients. Plant-based diets can be vegetarian or vegan, eliminating or minimizing animal products like meat, dairy, and eggs. These products are typically made from fruits, vegetables, nuts, oils, whole grains, and legumes, with no animal-derived ingredients such as meat, milk, or eggs. Tofu, coconut and almond milk, tempeh, and seitan are examples of popular plant-based foods. A diet rich in vitamins B1, C, and E, folic acid, magnesium, and iron, as well as low in cholesterol and saturated fats, is recommended.

Plant-Based Food Market Dynamics

Drivers

• Growing Demand for Product Labeling and Transparency

In the plant-based food market, increased consumer demand for transparency is significantly driving growth. Health-conscious consumers prefer products with clear labeling that outlines nutritional benefits, ingredients, and sourcing practices. Brands such as Beyond Meat and Oatly have effectively leveraged this trend by prominently displaying their product information, which fosters trust and loyalty among buyers. For instance, in March 2024, REWE, Germany's second-largest supermarket chain, is set to open an all-vegan store in Berlin, enhancing its commitment to plant-based options. Located on Warschauer Straße in the trendy Friedrichshain district, this store will cater to the increasing demand for vegan products among consumers. With around 3,300 locations nationwide, REWE’s initiative highlights the shift towards sustainable eating and the growing popularity of vegan lifestyles in Germany.

• Changing Dietary Preferences and Trends

The rise of dietary preferences such as veganism, vegetarianism, and flexitarianism significantly boosts the plant-based food market. For instance, a 2023 survey revealed that approximately 9.7 million Americans identify as vegan, marking a substantial increase over recent years. Additionally, trends such as "Meatless Mondays" encourage consumers to reduce meat consumption, with many participating in this initiative to explore plant-based meals. This cultural shift is supported by brands like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, which offer innovative meat alternatives, making plant-based eating more accessible and appealing. As these trends continue to gain traction, they are expected to drive further growth in the market.

Opportunities

• Rising Number of Lactose Intolerance People

The rising number of lactose-intolerant individuals presents a significant opportunity for the plant-based food market. Approximately 65% of the global population suffers from lactose intolerance, driving demand for lactose-free alternatives. Plant-based products, such as almond and oat milk, cater to this need, allowing brands like Oatly and Almond Breeze to thrive. Additionally, the sustainable living movement promotes climate-friendly diets, influencing consumers to choose foods that minimize their carbon footprint. This shift is evident in the growth of plant-based offerings at major retailers, reflecting a market that prioritizes environmentally conscious choices, thereby driving expansion in the plant-based food sector.

• Rise in Social Media Marketing

The rise of social media marketing significantly boosts the plant-based food market. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok showcase innovative products, such as plant-based milk, eggs, and meat, which are nutrient-rich and closely mimic the taste of their animal-based counterparts. For instance, in November 2022, Beyond Meat, Inc. launched Beyond Popcorn Chicken and Beyond Chicken Nuggets, expanding its plant-based offerings. These new products are now available in 5,000 Kroger and Walmart stores across the U.S., alongside select Albertsons and Ahold divisions. The introduction of these items caters to the growing consumer demand for convenient, plant-based alternatives, emphasizing Beyond Meat's commitment to providing tasty options for meat lovers and vegetarians.

Restraints/Challenges

• Taste and Texture Acceptance

Taste and texture acceptance is a significant challenge for the plant-based food market. Many consumers are deeply accustomed to the flavors and mouthfeel of traditional meat and dairy products, making it difficult for plant-based alternatives to compete effectively. Despite advancements by some brands in replicating these qualities, there is still a widespread perception that plant-based options are inferior in taste and texture. This hesitance among consumers to fully embrace these alternatives limits market growth. Additionally, negative experiences with early plant-based products can contribute to skepticism, further hindering the acceptance and expansion of the plant-based food sector in mainstream markets.    

• Limited Availability

Limited availability is a significant restraint for the plant-based food market, hindering its growth. Not all retailers stock a comprehensive range of plant-based products, which restricts consumer access and reduces the overall market penetration. This issue is exacerbated by limited shelf space in grocery stores, where traditional animal-based products often dominate. Additionally, distribution challenges can prevent these products from reaching broader geographic areas, particularly in rural or less populated regions. As a result, potential customers may not encounter plant-based options, leading to missed opportunities for sales and further stifling the expansion of the market in various demographic segments.

This market report provides details of new recent developments, trade regulations, import-export analysis, production analysis, value chain optimization, market share, impact of domestic and localized market players, analyses opportunities in terms of emerging revenue pockets, changes in market regulations, strategic market growth analysis, market size, category market growths, application niches and dominance, product approvals, product launches, geographic expansions, technological innovations in the market. To gain more info on the market contact Data Bridge Market Research for an Analyst Brief, our team will help you take an informed market decision to achieve market growth.

Impact and Current Market Scenario of Raw Material Shortage and Shipping Delays

Data Bridge Market Research offers a high-level analysis of the market and delivers information by keeping in account the impact and current market environment of raw material shortage and shipping delays. This translates into assessing strategic possibilities, creating effective action plans, and assisting businesses in making important decisions.

Apart from the standard report, we also offer in-depth analysis of the procurement level from forecasted shipping delays, distributor mapping by region, commodity analysis, production analysis, price mapping trends, sourcing, category performance analysis, supply chain risk management solutions, advanced benchmarking, and other services for procurement and strategic support.

Expected Impact of Economic Slowdown on the Pricing and Availability of Products

When economic activity slows, industries begin to suffer. The forecasted effects of the economic downturn on the pricing and accessibility of the products are taken into account in the market insight reports and intelligence services provided by DBMR. With this, our clients can typically keep one step ahead of their competitors, project their sales and revenue, and estimate their profit and loss expenditures.

Plant-Based Food Market Scope

The market is segmented on the basis of type, category, source, and distribution channel. The growth amongst these segments will help you analyze meagre growth segments in the industries and provide the users with a valuable market overview and market insights to help them make strategic decisions for identifying core market applications.

Type

• Dairy Substitute
• Meat Substitute
• Egg Substitute
• Seafood Substitute
• Others

 Category

• Organic
• Conventional

 Distribution Channel

• Store-Based
• Non Store Based

 Source

• Soybean
• Nuts
• Wheat
• Pea
• Others

Plant-Based Food Market Regional Analysis

The market is analysed and market size insights and trends are provided by country, type, category, source, and distribution channel as referenced above.

The countries covered in the market report are U.S., Canada, Mexico in North America, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Denmark, Italy, U.K., France, Spain, Netherland, Belgium, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, Rest of Europe in Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, New Zealand, Vietnam, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific (APAC) in Asia-Pacific (APAC), Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America as a part of South America, U.A.E, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, South Africa, Rest of Middle East and Africa (MEA) as a part of Middle East and Africa (MEA)

North America is expected to dominate the plant-based food market. North America's leading position in the plant-based food market can be attributed to factors such as consumer awareness of the importance of protein-rich diets, increased health consciousness, a well-established food sector, and higher adoption of technological advancements in the food and beverage industry.

Asia-Pacific is expected to exhibit lucrative growth in the plant-based food market. The high market growth in Asia-Pacific can be attributed to factors such as increased adoption of emerging technologies for product innovation, collaborations between international and domestic food companies, increased research and development investments by governments in the food sector, and the presence of a large number of key players in the market. 

The country section of the report also provides individual market impacting factors and changes in regulation in the market domestically that impacts the current and future trends of the market. Data points such as down-stream and upstream value chain analysis, technical trends and porter's five forces analysis, case studies are some of the pointers used to forecast the market scenario for individual countries. Also, the presence and availability of global brands and their challenges faced due to large or scarce competition from local and domestic brands, impact of domestic tariffs and trade routes are considered while providing forecast analysis of the country data.

Plant-Based Food Market Share

The market competitive landscape provides details by competitor. Details included are company overview, company financials, revenue generated, market potential, investment in research and development, new market initiatives, global presence, production sites and facilities, production capacities, company strengths and weaknesses, product launch, product width and breadth, application dominance. The above data points provided are only related to the companies' focus related to market.

Plant-Based Food Market Leaders Operating in the Market Are:

• Bayer AG (Germany)
• Abbott (U.S.)
• DSM (Netherlands)
• DuPont. (U.S.)
• Amway (U.S.)
• The Nature's Bounty Co. (U.S.)
• GSK plc. (U.K.)
• Nestlé SA (Switzerland)
• RiceBran Technologies (U.S.)
• Mead Johnson & Company, LLC. (U.S.)
• Medifast, Inc. (U.S.)
• Premier Nutrition Corporation (U.S.)
• TOOTSI IMPEX Inc. (Canada)
• U.S. Spice Mills, Inc. (U.S.)
• Health Food Manufacturers' Association (U.K.)
• NOW Foods (U.S.)
• Glanbia PLC (Ireland)
• Herbalife International of America, Inc. (U.S.)
• Bionova (India)

Latest Developments in Plant-Based Food Market

• In March 2024, DSM-Firmenich has inaugurated a state-of-the-art pilot plant in Plainsboro, New Jersey, to foster collaboration with food and beverage brands. This facility, part of their Taste, Texture & Health Business Unit, emphasizes their commitment to global diet transformation. It aims to enable brands to develop enjoyable, healthier, and more sustainable eating and drinking experiences, reflecting a growing consumer preference for nutrition-conscious choices
• In November 2022, Beyond Meat, Inc. launched Beyond Popcorn Chicken and Beyond Chicken Nuggets, expanding its plant-based offerings. These new products are now available in 5,000 Kroger and Walmart stores across the United States, alongside select Albertsons and Ahold divisions. The introduction of these items caters to the growing consumer demand for convenient, plant-based alternatives, emphasizing Beyond Meat's commitment to providing tasty options for meat lovers and vegetarians
• In 2022, Danone introduced a new Dairy & Plant Blend baby formula to accommodate the rising trend of vegan and plant-based diets among parents. This innovative product aims to meet the nutritional needs of infants while aligning with parents' preferences for healthier, plant-based feeding options. Danone's launch reflects a broader shift in consumer behavior towards sustainable and ethical dietary choices, providing a solution for families seeking plant-based nutrition
• In November 2022, Green Rebel unveiled a new product line called Creamy Crew, which includes a variety of dairy-free cheese, sauces, and dressings. This range exemplifies the company’s ongoing innovation within the plant-based sector, offering options like egg-free mayonnaise and a Caesar-style dressing. Available through their website, these products cater to the increasing demand for tasty and sustainable alternatives, appealing to consumers looking to reduce their dairy intake
• In September 2022, Beyond Meat expanded its portfolio by launching Revolutionary Plant-Based Steak, aiming to provide a delicious and sustainable alternative to traditional meat products. This launch reflects Beyond Meat's commitment to innovation and meeting consumer demands for nutritious plant-based options. The introduction of this product signifies a pivotal step in the company's strategy to make plant-based eating accessible and appealing to a broader audience seeking meat alternatives

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