U.S. Plant-Based Food Sales Reach $5 Billion; Growing 5x Faster Than Non-Plant-Based Market

Photos from Oatly, Facebook

New data released yesterday by the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) and The Good Food Institute (GFI) shows U.S. retail sales of plant-based foods have grown 11.4% in the past year, bringing the total plant-based market value to $5 billion.

The total U.S. retail food market has grown just 2.2% in dollar sales during this same period, and was flat in unit sales, showing that plant-based foods are a key driver of growth for retailers nationwide. This data covers the total grocery marketplace and was commissioned from SPINS, a wellness-focused data technology company and leading retail analytics provider.

The leading drivers of plant-based sales continue to be plant-based milks, meat, dairy alternatives in general, and plant-based meals. Sales of plant-based milks grew 5% over the past year, now making up 14% of the entire milk category. Meanwhile, cow milk sales are nearly flat.

The total plant-based meat category alone is worth more than $939 million, with sales up 18% in the past year. Refrigerated plant-based meat is driving growth up 63%.

In comparison, sales in the conventional meat category grew just 3% during the same period. Plant-based meat now accounts for 2% of retail packaged meat sales.

“Plant-based foods remain a growth engine, up 29% over the last two years,” PBFA Senior Director of Retail Partnerships Julie Emmett said in a statement.  Growth is fueled by innovation in categories across the store and retailers are responding by expanding shelf space to satisfy the rapidly expanding consumer base seeking more plant-based foods.”

Emerging plant-based dairy categories are growing even faster as more households are introduced to new plant-based dairy items, while sales of many conventional animal-based products are stagnate or have declined.

In the past year, plant-based yogurt has grown 31%, while conventional yogurt declined 1%; plant-based cheese has grown 18%, while conventional cheese has remained flat at 1% growth. Plant-based creamers alone account for almost $300 million, growing 34% with its share of total creamers growing from 4% a year ago to 5% in 2019.

You can help all animals and our planet by choosing compassion on your plate and in your glass. #GoVeg

More on this topic

Popular stories

Rescued From The Pet Trade In France, 4 Lion Cubs Settle Into Their New Forever Home At Born Free’s Big Cat Sanctuary In South...

Photos by: Filip Fortuna, Born Free Foundation  It has been a little over one week since four lion cubs were rescued from horrendous captive conditions...

Call To Action! Support Critical TEAPSPA Bill That Aims To Prohibit The Use Of Exotic & Wild Animals In Traveling Circuses

Please join our DAY OF ACTION TODAY, to end the use of wild animals in circuses in the United States. Circus animals perform through fear,...

UPDATE! Another Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal Is Found Dead On Oʻahu; Was This Seal Also Intentionally Killed?

Endangered Hawaiian monk seal pup RS48, also known as Hoʻomau Lehua. Photo Credit: Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response UPDATE: WAN is sad to report that another...