By Reed Mangels, PhD, RD

 The Good Food Institute is a nonprofit think tank whose stated goal is “to make alternative proteins as delicious, affordable, and accessible as conventional meat.” They support the development of plant-based meats (meats produced directly from plants), cultivated meats (meat produced via cell culture), and fermentation (using microorganisms to produce alternative proteins). Their 2023 State of the Industry Report: Plant-based Meat, Seafood, Eggs, and Dairy was developed to inform food system stakeholders about the alternative protein market. This 91-page report was filled with thought-provoking details. Here are a few that I found particularly intriguing:

Six in ten U.S. households purchased plant-based foods in 2023. I assume that this means processed foods as opposed to fruits and vegetables. Purchasers of plant-based foods tend to be younger, from higher income households, and to have graduate degrees compared to the average household.

In 2023, in the United States, 36% of consumers reported eating plant-based meat; 25% of U.S. consumers ate plant-based meat at least once a month. Most consumers who ate plant-based meats also ate animal-based meat; only 5% ate plant-based meat exclusively.

Consumers in the United States said that improvements in taste and cost would make them more willing to eat plant-based meat.

In 2023, retail plant-based sales in the United States were $8.1 billion, down from $8.2 billion in 2022. Plant-based meat and seafood, ice cream, and cheese dollar sales declined 9% or more compared to 2022. Dollar sales of plant-based baked goods and creamers were at least 8% higher than in 2022.

Plant-based milk sales accounted for almost 15% of total milk dollar sales in 2023. The plant-based milk category reached $2.9 billion in sales in the United States in 2023.

In India, a Vegan Foods Regulation was finalized in 2022. Vegan product producers must apply to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India for approval for their products to be labeled as vegan.

You can download and read the full report here.