Fueled by more than just dietary preference, the vegan food industry has exploded into a multi-billion-dollar global powerhouse, with the market valued at $27.8 billion in 2023 and accelerating toward a projected $71.1 billion by 2030 as plant-based alternatives become mainstream.
Key Takeaways
- The global vegan food market size was valued at USD 27.8 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to USD 71.1 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 14.4%.
- In the United States, the vegan food market reached USD 8.1 billion in retail sales in 2022.
- Europe's vegan food market was valued at EUR 2.5 billion in 2022, representing 12% of the global market.
- The global vegan food market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.7% from 2024 to 2032.
- US plant-based food sales expected to reach $16 billion by 2028 at 12% CAGR.
- Europe's vegan market forecasted to expand at 13.2% CAGR through 2030.
- 6% of US adults identify as vegan in 2023, up from 3% in 2018.
- Globally, 79 million people follow vegan diet as of 2023.
- In the UK, 1.5% of population (1 million) vegan in 2023.
- US plant-based meat sales $1.4 billion in 2023, up 8%.
- Global plant-based milk sales USD 5.2 billion in 2023.
- Vegan cheese sales worldwide $4.1 billion 2023.
- Vegan food industry created 100,000 jobs globally in 2023.
- US vegan sector contributed $15 billion to GDP in 2022.
- Europe vegan market supports 50,000 direct jobs in 2023.
The vegan food industry is booming globally, with rapid growth projected across many markets and product categories.
Consumer Demographics and Behavior
- 6% of US adults identify as vegan in 2023, up from 3% in 2018.
- Globally, 79 million people follow vegan diet as of 2023.
- In the UK, 1.5% of population (1 million) vegan in 2023.
- 40% of Americans tried plant-based meat in 2023.
- Women represent 60% of vegan consumers worldwide.
- Millennials (25-40) make up 52% of vegan buyers in US.
- 25% of Gen Z in Europe identify as flexitarian or vegan.
- Urban consumers 3x more likely to buy vegan foods globally.
- 35% of vegans cite health as primary reason in 2023 surveys.
- In India, 10% of urban youth under 25 are vegan.
- Germany has 3 million vegans, 3.2% of population in 2023.
- 22% of French consumers purchased vegan products weekly in 2023.
- China sees 5% of urban millennials vegan.
- 15% of Brazilian consumers tried veganism in past year 2023.
- Australia has 12% vegetarian/vegan population.
- Canada vegan population at 2.3% or 900,000 in 2023.
- 28% of US vegans motivated by environment.
- Global flexitarians outnumber vegans 10:1 at 1 billion.
- 45% of vegan consumers aged 18-34 globally.
- Higher income households 2x more likely to buy vegan.
- 33% of vegans also follow gluten-free diet.
- Pet owners 20% more likely to buy vegan pet food.
- 18% increase in vegan restaurant visits US 2023.
- 62% of vegans shop online for vegan products.
- Athletes represent 15% of vegan supplement buyers.
- Parents buying vegan kids food up 25% YoY.
- 40% of corporate employees seek vegan options at work.
- LGBTQ+ community 2.5x more likely to be vegan.
- 55% of vegans influenced by social media.
- Plant-based milk purchased by 48% of US households 2023.
- 70% of vegans plan to stay vegan long-term.
Consumer Demographics and Behavior Interpretation
While the vegan movement has doubled in America to a modest but mighty 6%, it’s quietly staging a global coup d’état, fueled by health-conscious millennials, city-dwellers, and a surprisingly flexible army of one billion flexitarians who are making plants the new mainstream one oat milk latte at a time.
Economic Impact
- Vegan food industry created 100,000 jobs globally in 2023.
- US vegan sector contributed $15 billion to GDP in 2022.
- Europe vegan market supports 50,000 direct jobs in 2023.
- Investments in vegan startups reached $3.1 billion in 2023 globally.
- UK plant-based industry exports GBP 500 million annually.
- Plant-based milk production employs 20,000 in US.
- Vegan meat companies revenue $8 billion collective 2023.
- Asia-Pacific vegan supply chain worth $10 billion 2023.
- Brazil vegan food exports USD 100 million in 2023.
- India vegan processing plants increased 30%, adding $500M value.
- Germany vegan retail turnover EUR 1.5 billion 2023.
- France vegan industry tax revenue EUR 200 million annually.
- China vegan brands valuation $2 billion top 10.
- Australia vegan sector GDP contribution AUD 1 billion.
- Canada vegan jobs 15,000 created since 2020.
- Global vegan R&D spending $1.2 billion in 2023.
- US vegan patents filed 5,000 in 2023.
- Europe vegan M&A deals $800 million 2023.
Economic Impact Interpretation
It seems the green rush is truly cooking as the vegan industry's economic clout, from creating jobs to generating tax revenue, is proving that compassion for animals is now also a serious business proposition.
Growth Rates and Projections
- The global vegan food market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.7% from 2024 to 2032.
- US plant-based food sales expected to reach $16 billion by 2028 at 12% CAGR.
- Europe's vegan market forecasted to expand at 13.2% CAGR through 2030.
- Asia-Pacific vegan food growth rate at 15.8% CAGR from 2023-2030.
- Plant-based milk projected to grow 16.5% CAGR globally to 2030.
- UK vegan food sales growth 22% YoY in 2023, projected 18% CAGR.
- Canada vegan market CAGR 14.3% expected to 2028.
- Australia plant-based growth at 20% CAGR through 2027.
- Brazil vegan food CAGR 25% from 2023-2030 due to urbanization.
- India vegan dairy alternatives CAGR 19.2% to 2032.
- Germany vegan market growth 15% CAGR forecasted to 2030.
- France plant-based foods 17% CAGR through 2028.
- China vegan meat CAGR 22.4% from 2023-2030.
- Global vegan cheese market CAGR 12.9% to 2032.
- US non-dairy ice cream growth 14% CAGR to 2028.
- Worldwide vegan meat CAGR 15.3% projected 2024-2030.
- Plant-based yogurt global CAGR 13.8% through 2030.
- Vegan snacks growth rate 16.2% CAGR worldwide to 2030.
- Ready-to-eat vegan meals CAGR 18.1% from 2023-2032.
- Vegan bakery CAGR 14.7% globally projected to 2030.
- Global vegan egg substitutes CAGR 17.5% to 2030.
- Plant-based butter CAGR 19.3% worldwide 2023-2030.
- Vegan protein powders CAGR 12.6% to 2032.
- US vegan delivery CAGR 21% expected to 2028.
- Europe vegan chocolate CAGR 16.8% through 2030.
- Global vegan pet food CAGR 13.4% to 2030.
- Vegan infant formula CAGR 20.2% worldwide 2023-2030.
- UK plant-based CAGR 19.5% forecasted to 2030.
- Vegan condiments global CAGR 15.9% to 2028.
- Worldwide vegan e-commerce CAGR 22.7% from 2024-2032.
Growth Rates and Projections Interpretation
The planet is voting with its wallet, and the ballot reads a delicious, unequivocal "more plants, please."
Market Size and Valuation
- The global vegan food market size was valued at USD 27.8 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to USD 71.1 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 14.4%.
- In the United States, the vegan food market reached USD 8.1 billion in retail sales in 2022.
- Europe's vegan food market was valued at EUR 2.5 billion in 2022, representing 12% of the global market.
- The Asia-Pacific vegan food market stood at USD 7.2 billion in 2023, driven by rising health awareness.
- Plant-based milk category alone valued at USD 4.5 billion globally in 2023 within vegan foods.
- UK vegan food market hit GBP 2.8 billion in 2022, up 20% from previous year.
- Canada's vegan food sector valued at CAD 1.2 billion in 2023.
- Australian vegan food market reached AUD 300 million in 2022.
- Brazil's emerging vegan food market valued at USD 500 million in 2023.
- India's vegan food market estimated at USD 1.8 billion in 2023, fueled by dairy alternatives.
- German vegan food market size was EUR 1.1 billion in 2022.
- French vegan market valued at EUR 800 million in 2023.
- China's plant-based food market within vegan segment hit USD 3.5 billion in 2023.
- Global vegan cheese market subset valued at USD 3.9 billion in 2023.
- US non-dairy ice cream sales part of vegan market at USD 1.2 billion in 2022.
- Worldwide vegan meat alternatives market sized at USD 6.5 billion in 2023.
- Plant-based yogurt global value USD 2.1 billion in 2023 under vegan foods.
- Vegan snacks market globally at USD 4.2 billion in 2022.
- Ready-to-eat vegan meals market USD 2.8 billion worldwide in 2023.
- Vegan bakery products market valued at USD 1.9 billion in 2023.
- Global vegan egg substitutes market at USD 1.1 billion in 2022.
- Plant-based butter market USD 800 million globally in 2023.
- Vegan protein powders market sized USD 1.5 billion in 2023.
- US vegan food delivery market at USD 2.3 billion in 2023.
- European vegan chocolate market EUR 450 million in 2022.
- Global vegan pet food market USD 1.4 billion in 2023.
- Vegan infant formula niche market USD 200 million worldwide 2023.
- UK plant-based retail sales GBP 1.5 billion in 2023.
- Global vegan condiments market USD 900 million in 2022.
- Vegan food e-commerce sales worldwide USD 5.6 billion in 2023.
Market Size and Valuation Interpretation
The sheer weight and dizzying specificity of these figures—from vegan cheese to vegan pet food—makes it irrefutably clear that plant-based eating is no longer a fringe trend but a serious, multi-billion dollar global industry proving that money, much like a good oat milk latte, doesn't curdle.
Product and Category Sales
- US plant-based meat sales $1.4 billion in 2023, up 8%.
- Global plant-based milk sales USD 5.2 billion in 2023.
- Vegan cheese sales worldwide $4.1 billion 2023.
- UK plant-based yogurt sales GBP 150 million 2023.
- Non-dairy ice cream US sales $1.5 billion 2023.
- Vegan snacks global sales $5.0 billion 2023.
- Ready meals vegan Europe EUR 600 million 2022.
- Vegan bakery US $800 million sales 2023.
- Plant-based egg products sales $1.2 billion global.
- Vegan butter sales USD 1.0 billion worldwide 2023.
- Protein powders vegan $2.0 billion US 2023.
- Vegan chocolate Europe sales EUR 500 million 2023.
- Plant-based pet food sales $1.6 billion global 2023.
- Vegan condiments US $400 million 2023.
- E-commerce vegan food sales $6.8 billion 2023.
- India plant-based milk sales INR 10 billion 2023.
- Brazil vegan meat sales USD 300 million 2023.
- Australia vegan dairy alternatives AUD 200 million.
- Canada plant-based cheese CAD 150 million 2023.
- Germany vegan ready meals EUR 250 million 2023.
- France vegan snacks EUR 180 million 2023.
- China plant-based yogurt RMB 5 billion 2023.
- Global vegan infant food $250 million 2023.
- US vegan beverages $3.2 billion 2023.
- Europe plant-based meat EUR 1.8 billion 2023.
- Vegan desserts global sales $2.4 billion 2023.
- Plant-based spreads sales USD 900 million 2023.
- Vegan soups and sauces $700 million US 2023.
- Global vegan noodles $500 million 2023.
Product and Category Sales Interpretation
The staggering billions flooding the vegan food sector aren't just a trend—they're the sound of a global pantry door slamming shut on the old ways of eating.
Sustainability and Health Benefits
- Vegan food reduces water usage by 60% per kg compared to animal products.
- Producing 1kg vegan burger uses 99% less land than beef.
- Vegan diets lower heart disease risk by 25% per meta-analysis.
- Plant-based foods emit 75% less GHG than meat equivalents.
- Vegans have 50% lower diabetes type 2 incidence.
- Vegan milk production saves 1,000 liters water per liter vs dairy.
- Switching to vegan saves 1.5 tons CO2 yearly per person.
- Vegan cheese uses 80% less energy to produce.
- Plant-based diets reduce cancer risk by 15%.
- Vegan farming biodiversity 30% higher than livestock.
- Vegans average BMI 3 points lower, reducing obesity.
- 1 vegan meal daily cuts deforestation by 10% impact.
- Vegan protein sources lower cholesterol 20% faster.
- Plant milks recyclable packaging 90% vs dairy cartons.
- Vegan diets improve gut microbiome diversity 40%.
- Global vegan shift could save $1 trillion healthcare costs by 2050.
- Vegan leather from plants reduces pollution 95% vs animal.
- Plant-based ice cream carbon footprint 50% lower.
- Vegans live 8 years longer on average per studies.
- Vegan snacks packaging waste 70% less than dairy snacks.
- Plant-based meat antibiotics use 0% vs 70% in livestock.
- Vegan diets boost immunity markers by 25%.
- Switching meals vegan weekly saves 500 liters water person.
- Vegan bakery grains use 40% less pesticides.
- Plant proteins kidney health better, 30% less strain.
Sustainability and Health Benefits Interpretation
The data makes a compelling case that choosing vegan options isn't just a personal health hack, but a massive environmental and economic relief valve for the planet.
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