Vegan is trending and many people are making a change to their diet for personal reasons, as well as to help the earth in their own way. When you consider the damage that factory farming has been doing over the years, then it’s easy to see why more and more people are interested in vegan meat.
A number of meatless alternatives are available on the market, including The Impossible Burger and Beyond Burger. Vegans and flexitarians have set their targets on those meat alternatives and the industry is going to the next level. The Good Food Institute (GFI) is a nonprofit organization that promotes the use of plant-based alternatives. They say that the vegan meat industry is set to hit $1 billion for the first time. Data measurement firm Nielsen seems to confirm as they state that the sale of plant-based meat increased 10.2% in 2019 to reach $946.6 million.
Caroline Bushnell, Associate Director of Corporate Engagement at GFI said, “2019 was a big year for plant-based meat.” She added, “it really feels like the tipping point, but it’s just the beginning. We’re in the early days of a major shift.’’
“Health and curiosity are the primary drivers of plant-based meat purchases,” said Numerator, another market intelligence company. Consumers also find the taste and texture of meat alternatives to be important. “One kind of holy grail that companies are out there working on … (is) plant-based steak,” Bushnell said, and “companies are working to develop that same sensory experience.”
JBS, Tyson, and Cargill and other meat processors are now looking into vegan protein as an alternative.