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Plant-based foods take their place in the grocery basket

Acosta analysis sees escalating sales as long-term trend

Russell Redman

April 26, 2022

2 Min Read
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Of consumers polled, 40% purchased plant-based meat and/or dairy products within the last six months, with 60% buying plant-based items several times per month, Acosta found.Kroger

Prompted by health concerns, four in 10 shoppers buy plant-based meat and/or dairy products, with most doing so on a regular basis, new research from CPG sales and marketing firm Acosta shows.

Forty percent of consumers polled in March purchased plant-based meat and/or dairy products within the last six months, with 60% buying plant-based products several times per month, according to Acosta’s “Plant-Based Eating: Trend or Fad?” report, released last week. The study, based on online surveys from the company’s proprietary Shopper Community, found that customers typically buy plant-based meat and dairy items to replace beef, pork and traditional milk.

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Most of these purchases are made at the supermarket. Among those surveyed, 77% said they buy plant-based foods at traditional grocery stores, and 20% reported buying these products online.

“Consumers’ focus on healthy living increased significantly since the onset of COVID-19,” explained Kathy Risch, senior vice president of business intelligence at Jacksonville, Fla.-based Acosta. “Larger conversations about the importance of health and wellness have alerted many consumers to the potential long-term benefits of meat and dairy alternatives, and plant-based product sales are rising as a result.”

Related:Plant-based food sales reach record high of $7.4 billion in 2021

Citing data from the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA), Risch noted the sharp growth in plant-based food sales last year. In 2021, U.S. sales of plant-based food at retail reached $7.4 billion, up 6.2% from 2020 but marking a 27% increase from 2019. Acosta said Bloomberg forecasts global plant-based food sales to hit $162 billion by 2030.

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At the same time, consumer habits and attitudes regarding plant-based foods exhibit dueling tendencies, Acosta’s analysis indicates.

For example, the category shows solid staying power, as 64% of respondents purchase plant-based foods at least several times a month, 57% intend to consume plant-based alternatives throughout their lives and almost 20% of plant-based buyers say they follow a fully plant-based lifestyle, Acosta reported. Yet about 33% of shoppers deem plant-based foods as a fad, despite rising consumer interest and demand. Similarly, 50% of plant-based buyers polled said it’s important for restaurants to offer plant-based options, but only about 20% typically buy these alternatives when dining out.

“We expect to see steady growth in this category through the next decade, as consumer awareness continues to expand,” Risch added.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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