Although most of today’s new plant-based dairy alternatives are cold—displayed in the dairy case or the freezercase—they constitute one of the supermarket’s hottest and fastest growing segments.  And it’s no surprise market observers are scrutinizing every element behind who’s purchasing these products—along with what’s selling, when, where and why.

Market research finds that opportunities about for plant-based products as they become more mainstream.

Even with the growing availability of meat alternatives, many Americans are reducing rather completely eliminating their consumption of animal proteins, with the added caveat that they are doing so while seeking out meat raised in more ethical manners with cleaner labels, reports Packaged Facts in the market research study Vegan, Vegetarian, and Flexitarian Consumers.

Innova Market Insights identified “plant forward” is a worldwide phenomenon and one of 2021’s Top Ten Trends. Experts also predict that the rising popularity of plant-based products—especially among flexitarians—will lead to growing demand for new formats, plant proteins and higher-end alternatives. 

Despite use of plant-based meat or dairy products being highest among those following vegan, vegetarian, or pescatarian diets, it's omnivores and flexitarians who make up the lion's share of consumers who eat these products due to their sheer numbers, reports market research firm Packaged Facts in the report Vegan, Vegetarian, and Flexitarian Consumers.

American consumers are eating more plant-based foods these days, especially adults under age 35 and those actively following a specific diet. This is according to findings published in the new report Vegan, Vegetarian, and Flexitarian Consumers by leading market research firm Packaged Facts.

The Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA), the trade association representing 170 plant-based food companies, and Kroger, the largest grocery retailer in America, found that plant-based meat sales increased by 23% when those items were sold in the meat department.

Part of DSM’s expanding portfolio of solutions for dairy alternatives, these enzymes offer a unique variety of benefits—from increasing the solubility of protein and reducing viscosity to improving mouthfeel and unlocking the natural sweetness of raw materials such as rice, soy and oats.

Some of Innova Market Insights' latest reports show the dairy alternatives category is a key battlefront in a war for consumer spending. Likewise, Innova says new frozen dairy desserts are making headlines.

The surge in 100% plant-based protein products and flexitarian (incorporating animal and plant protein) products is not a trend, it is here to stay.  Plant-based protein is now a multi-billion-dollar industry that is growing at a rate of over 20% per year.