Global Plant Based Meat Market: Global Size, Trends, Competitive, and Historical & Forecast Analysis, 2024-2030: The plant-based meat market thrives due to shifting consumer preferences towards sustainability, health-conscious diets, and ethical food sourcing. As more individuals embrace plant-forward lifestyles and seek alternatives that reduce their environmental impact, meat-free products become central to modern diets and cooking experiences.
The global plant-based meat market is expected to generate a revenue of USD 8.5 billion in 2024 and reach USD 23.3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 18.3%.
Plant-based meat is one of the novel kinds of meat invented, largely constructed from plant ingredients, sometimes including fungi. This holds a significant similarity in taste, texture, and physical properties to animal-derived meat, enabling meat-like consumption without the environmental footprint of animal. Agriculture in other words, the majority of producers of plant-based meat use a great deal less resources; as a result, the production of plant-based meats produces less pollution of the land, water, and greenhouse gases than typical cattle farming. One sustainable method for producing beef that is good for the environment is this one.
Similarly, Plant-based meat mirrors animal-based meats in diverse culinary applications, including salads, burgers, and gourmet dishes, providing both versatility and familiarity to consumers. Utilizing technologies like extrusion and high-pressure homogenization, ingredients such as soy, pea protein, and wheat gluten are combined to create a meat-like texture. The plant-based meat market began gaining traction in the 20th century, driven by vegetarian movements and growing concerns about meat consumption.
Besides, major developments at the helm of companies like MorningStar Farms and Tofurky included pushing soy- and wheat-based products into the mainstream, which acquired great influence among health-conscious and vegetarian audiences. The renovation in the plant-based meat market began in the 21st century. Ahead of Meat and Impossible Foods were among the compelling companies in this market, with products very similar to traditional meats in both taste and texture. Such innovations attracted not only vegetarians but also flexitarians and even carnivores who looked for healthier and more sustainable options without compromising on flavor.
Plant-based manufacturing companies usually have several streams involved in one revenue generation model to increase profitability and reach more markets. This includes direct sales of their products through different distribution channels such as retail channels, e-commerce, and food service partnerships. Companies are considering subscription models in which consumers would get regular, repeated deliveries of plant-based products, thereby creating customer loyalty.
Some of the brands also create revenue by licensing their technology or products to other food manufacturers to extend the marketplace without investing directly in production. Restaurant and fast-food chain collaborations are also important; they expose plant-based options to wide groups of people.
The global market for plant-based meat has a complicated supply chain with numerous participants, including producers, suppliers of raw materials, distributors, and retailers. Soy protein, pea protein, and other botanicals are important basic ingredients. These are frequently obtained from farmers who may be at risk from supply disruptions and climate change. By using specific processing methods, such extrusion and fermentation, producers can produce meat substitutes that have the flavor and texture of typical meat products by using materials that are meat substitutes.
Furthermore, distribution and logistics are crucial in getting plant-based products to customers. However, fluctuating ingredient prices, regulatory obstacles, and competition from traditional meat sources continue to be one of the persisting dilemmas in this changed landscape.
The value chain analysis of the plant-based meat market covers all different critical elements, which range from the procurement of raw materials to distribution to consumers. This begins with the procurement of plant-based ingredients themselves, such as soy, pea protein, and other plant-derived compounds. These value materials are then processed using various techniques, such as extrusion and fermentation processes, to produce meat analogs that can achieve the same taste and texture as their traditional meat counterparts. Once produced, marketing and distribution channels become very crucial contact points with the consumers through retail partnerships and e-commerce platforms.
Finally, the end-user feedback loop rounds: continuous product improvement and innovation that will push and urge brands to adapt to consumer preferences and dietary trends. The integrated approach adds value along the supply chain and competitively positions companies within the growing market.
Some of the prominent players in the Global Plant Based Meat Market include Alpha Foods, Beyond Meat, Bunge, Cargill, Daring Foods, Field Roast Grain, Fry's Family Foods, Gardein (Conagra Brands), Good Catch, Impossible Foods, Lightlife Foods, Maple Leaf Foods, Nestlé, No Evil Foods, Oumph!, Pinnacle Foods, Plantible Foods, Tofurky, Unilever, Hodo Foods, Maple Leaf Foods, Meatless Farm, Plant Power Fast Food, Novozymes A/S, Sunfed Meats, Tofurky, Unilever, and others
The invention of new products has consolidated the boom in consumer awareness about health and environmental matters, with the effect being felt in the pace at which the global plant-based meat market is growing. Significant technological advances have perfected the taste, texture, and flavor of such products, pertinent to the growth in demand among flexitarians and health-conscious consumers. Exciting new semi-finished meat alternative products will soon hit the market, boasting perfect structure, bite, and taste at competitive prices.
In this vibrant backdrop, BENEO is poised to announce a significant evolution of its semi-finished product portfolio early in 2024, as it will have completed the successful acquisition of Meatless B.V. by then. Introduction of their Meatless Beef Bites and Minced Meat will offer scalable solutions to manufacturers that follow through in juiciness and texture similar to traditional beef and meet today's plant-based demand. Besides, government support is one of the major driving forces for this market. Various authorities belonging to different countries are encouraging plant-based substitutes due to the fact that such products, unlike animal-based ones, come with health and environmental benefits.
In the United States, such initiatives correspond to safety-based support provided by the Department of Agriculture, owing to which a large number of meat-like substitutes are being developed and launched in the markets of the world, including 100% plant-based and hybrid meat products. While hybrid options may not appeal to all vegetarian and vegan consumers, it does create a gateway for more reluctant consumers to cut down on meat intake. That is not all it involves in innovation; for example, in 2024 alone, new solutions have cropped up from companies like Novozymes after the launch of Vertera ProBite. This biosolution was supposed to give texture a fillip and consumer-friendly labels to take the innovation barrel further in plant-based meat. But all is not well, probably one of the biggest challenges remaining is replicating the taste and texture of animal-derived meat—the typical consumer perception equates to a deficit on the sensory level.
In order to bridge this sensory gap, continuous food technology and ingredient-related innovations will be crucial. Continuous research works are being carried out in producing alternatives not only to meat but also to fish, milk, cheese, and yogurt, developing health benefits. It is, however, difficult to replicate the flavor and texture owing to the fundamental variation in molecular and physicochemical properties between plant and animal sources. And within those challenges lie several opportunities. For specific consumer demographics, the willingness to pay more for trending, high-quality healthy foods are there. Sustainability and nutrition concerns are driving purchases based on "value"; frozen, ready-to-eat, and ready-to-cook are introducing new dynamics into the market.
In particular, the retail and foodservice channels mark the fastest growth. Recently, Burger King launched the first plant-based restaurant in Cologne, Germany, and underlined its commitment to plant-based fast food under the slogan "100% taste, 0% meat." In cooperation with Beyond Meat, they introduced a burger with a plant-based ingredient patty made from peas, rice, and potatoes, further sealing the deal for their role in the changing face of plant-based dining.
The North American claim for plant-based meat has risen dramatically due to consumer’s growing perception concerning the environmental and health impacts of consuming animal-based meat. It is apt to mention here that the United States and Canada are driving the growth of plant-based foods, putting their efforts into concentration on a number of major factors. For instance, Beyond Meat, Inc. launched its new product Beyond Steak on 19th October 2022, due to high demand by meat lovers and flexitarians eating more plants in the U.S. This strategic development by the company highlights how leading companies are trying to create a solution to cope with changing consumer preferences.
Moreover, on April 8, 2021, Beyond Meat expanded its retail distribution in several national and regional supermarket chains. Major retailers such as Kroger, Wegmans, Sprouts, and Target extended their Beyond Meat offerings to significantly widen their exposure in 5,000 stores across the U.S. Furthermore, on September 5, 2024, Beyond Meat revealed plans to launch a mycelium-based whole-cut steak substitute. This is certainly a very exciting development, now being a direct response of the consumer demand for clean-label products, an assurance that innovation and consumer satisfaction are indeed key concerns within this industry.
Therefore, the North American plant-based meat market is flourishing due to innovative product launches, increased retail availability, and a responsive approach to consumer demands. This indicates a strong trend toward health and sustainability consciousness in eating habits, which will likely influence the future direction of the market.
A very fast-growing European Plant-Based Meat Market is driven by an increasing health and environmental consciousness and the shift in consumer dietary paradigm. Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands are at the forefront of the plant-based meat market, leading in innovation and consumer demand. In Germany, consumers show a strong preference for investing in plant-based meat compared to animal-based options.
More specifically, 26% of the German consumers indicated that they were willing to pay premium prices for products made from plants that closely mimic the taste and texture of conventional meat. This points to a great change of dietary preferences as the plant-based meat is gradually becoming an inclusion in veganism.
On the other hand, Germany has the largest vegetarian population in Europe. In 2022, reports suggested there were over 1.5 million vegans. The half of the Brits is turning heads towards sustainable living by lowering their consumption of animal products and hence have turned vegan, vegetarian, or flexitarian. About 13% of the population in the UK can be classified as flexitarian-that means they sometimes eat some meat but subsist largely on a plant-based diet.
In addition, 1 in 8 people in the UK proudly declare themselves to be a vegetarian or a vegan, which means that the level of concern regarding animal welfare and environmental issues is very high for this country. The Netherlands is also becoming increasingly one of the most interesting players in the business of plant-based meat, alongside a broader European trend towards a more sustainable and healthier form of eating. This signals new ascending interest in plant-based alternatives in these countries and a greater demand for more innovative food solutions that really fit the values of the modern consumer. Generally, the plant-based meat market in Europe grows not only for a mix of consumers' preferences but also because it is underlined to evolve according to sustainable commitment. With this trend unraveling, the prospects of the market over the next years of outperformance, in growth and innovation, are very exciting.
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