Consumers are more and more moving toward a healthier lifestyle and this includes shifting to better-for-you products and a focus on individual wellness needs. No matter the reasons why consumers are choosing to eat less animal products, the plant-based food industry is booming – with millennials and Gen Z driving the market growth.
For consumers, choosing a plant-based diet means prioritizing plant foods, specifically fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds, which are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants and healthy fats. Studies show that consumers are making plant-based foods the main part of their diet, but not necessarily exclusive.
For sources of protein, consumers are looking to tofu, edamame, lentils, chickpeas, peanuts, almonds and quinoa, for example. Vegetables with the most protein include broccoli, spinach, asparagus, artichokes, potatoes and Brussels sprouts.
According to data published at Statista, the global plant-based food market is expected to reach $77.8 billion in 2025, and further growth is expected. The forecast projects that by 2030, the market will have more than doubled. For 2022, the model expects a market worth $44.2 billion.
Source: vendingmarketwatch.com