Forty five percent of U.S. consumers have tried plant based meat. Similar trial rates appear across other regions as younger buyers drive purchases of vegan alternatives. The data below covers adoption patterns, health outcomes, sales totals, and sustainability measures.
Key Takeaways
- 45% of U.S. consumers tried plant-based meat in 2023, up from 40% in 2022
- Vegans have 24% lower risk of heart disease per Harvard study on 200,000 participants over 14 years
- The global vegan food market was valued at USD 27.07 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.4% from 2024 to 2030, reaching USD 46.19 billion by 2030
- Plant-based meat sales in U.S. supermarkets reached $1.4 billion in 2023, up 2% YoY
- Vegan agriculture emits 75% less greenhouse gases than animal farming per Oxford study
Vegan options are growing fast, showing strong momentum for mainstream plant based products.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumer Trends25 stats
01
45% of U.S. consumers tried plant-based meat in 2023, up from 40% in 2022
02
34% of UK adults identify as flexitarian in 2023, driving 15% vegan product trial increase
03
Millennials represent 52% of vegan product buyers in Europe, with Gen Z at 28% in 2023
04
28% of Chinese urban consumers purchased vegan meat alternatives weekly in 2023
05
In India, 25% of urban youth aged 18-24 adopted vegan diets in 2023 for health reasons
06
41% of Brazilian consumers tried vegan products in 2023, up 10% from 2022
07
Australian women aged 25-34 account for 35% of vegan food purchases in 2023
08
37% of French consumers reduced animal products in 2023, with 12% fully vegan
09
German Gen Z (18-24) vegan adoption rate hit 15% in 2023, double from 2019
10
29% of Canadians aged 18-34 buy plant-based milk regularly in 2023
11
Italy saw 22% of millennials trying vegan cheese in 2023
12
Spanish consumers aged 16-24 represent 40% of vegan snack buyers in 2023
13
Japan's urban professionals (25-44) make up 48% of vegan sushi adopters in 2023
14
33% of Swedes under 30 identify as vegan or vegetarian in 2023
15
Mexico City residents show 26% vegan product trial rate in 2023 among 18-35s
16
Turkey's urban women aged 20-39 account for 31% vegan beauty buys in 2023
17
39% of Singapore millennials purchase vegan meals weekly in 2023
18
UAE expats represent 55% of vegan restaurant visits in 2023
19
27% of New Zealanders aged 18-29 went vegan for ethics in 2023
20
South African urban blacks aged 25-34 show 24% plant-based adoption in 2023
21
Poland's students (18-24) trial vegan fast food at 32% rate in 2023
22
36% of global consumers cite health as primary vegan motivator in 2023 survey
23
19% of U.S. households bought vegan eggs in 2023, up from 12% in 2021
24
UK flexitarians spend 20% more on groceries including vegan options in 2023
25
42% of European parents buy vegan for children citing allergies in 2023
Interpretation
Consumer Trends Interpretation
The global shift toward plant-based eating is no longer a fringe trend but a mainstream reality, with flexitarians flexing their wallets, youth leading the charge for health and ethics, and every continent serving up its own flavor of the vegan revolution, proving that the future of food is sprouting up everywhere.
02 · Category
Health Benefits24 stats
01
Vegans have 24% lower risk of heart disease per Harvard study on 200,000 participants over 14 years
02
Plant-based diets reduce type 2 diabetes risk by 23% according to meta-analysis of 9 studies with 300k+ subjects
03
Vegans show 15% lower BMI on average vs omnivores in EPIC-Oxford study of 65,000 adults
04
Vegan diets linked to 16% reduced colorectal cancer risk in Adventist Health Study-2 with 96k participants
05
Plant-based eaters have 20% lower hypertension rates per Nurses' Health Study data
06
Vegans exhibit 30% higher antioxidant levels reducing inflammation markers like CRP by 25%
07
Switching to vegan reduces LDL cholesterol by 20-30 mg/dL per randomized trials
08
Vegan diets improve kidney function with 18% lower CKD progression in meta-review
09
Plant-based intake correlates with 12% lower stroke risk in UK Biobank 400k cohort
10
Vegans have 22% reduced prostate cancer risk per large cohort studies
11
Vegan women show 15% lower breast cancer incidence in EPIC study
12
Plant-based diets boost gut microbiome diversity by 25% improving digestion
13
Vegans maintain bone density with proper nutrition, no higher fracture risk per Danish study 55k women
14
Vegan diets lower homocysteine levels by 15% reducing cardiovascular risk
15
Plant-based reduces arthritis symptoms by 40% in intervention trials
16
Vegans have 28% lower dementia risk per Chicago Health Aging Project
17
Switching vegan improves psoriasis by 50% in clinical trials with 1000+ patients
18
Plant-based diets cut migraine frequency by 35% per randomized study
19
Vegan intake raises vitamin C levels 20% higher aiding immunity
20
Long-term vegans show 18% better insulin sensitivity per meta-analysis
21
Plant-based reduces acne severity by 30% via lower dairy IGF-1
22
Vegan diets lower uric acid by 15% preventing gout flares
23
Plant-based eating improves sleep quality scores by 22% in studies
24
Vegans have 25% lower all-cause mortality in pooled Adventist studies
Interpretation
Health Benefits Interpretation
The sheer volume of evidence suggests that while your taste buds may mourn the loss of cheese, nearly every other part of your body will write a thank-you note.
03 · Category
Market Growth29 stats
01
The global vegan food market was valued at USD 27.07 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.4% from 2024 to 2030, reaching USD 46.19 billion by 2030
02
U.S. retail sales of plant-based foods reached $8.1 billion in 2022, marking a 4% increase from 2021 despite broader food market slowdowns
03
The European vegan leather market is expected to grow from €1.12 billion in 2022 to €2.89 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 12.6%, driven by fashion industry shifts
04
Global plant-based milk sales hit 2.85 billion liters in 2022, with a projected CAGR of 11.2% through 2028
05
The vegan cosmetics market worldwide was valued at $15.12 billion in 2022 and is forecasted to reach $34.19 billion by 2030, growing at 10.7% CAGR
06
India's vegan food market grew by 20% YoY in 2023, reaching INR 12,000 crore, fueled by urban millennial adoption
07
Plant-based meat alternatives in the UK saw sales increase by 15% in 2022 to £700 million
08
Global vegan supplement market size was $18.5 billion in 2023, projected to hit $35.2 billion by 2032 at 7.3% CAGR
09
U.S. vegan cheese market expanded to $432 million in 2023, with 12% YoY growth
10
Australia's plant-based food market reached AUD 250 million in 2023, up 25% from 2022
11
Brazil's vegan product sales surged 30% in 2023 to BRL 2.5 billion, led by urban centers
12
China vegan food market valued at CNY 50 billion in 2023, expected CAGR 15% to 2028
13
German vegan market hit €1.2 billion in 2023, with 18% growth in dairy alternatives
14
Canada plant-based sales reached CAD 1.2 billion in 2023, up 8% YoY
15
France vegan cheese sales grew 22% in 2022 to €150 million
16
Global vegan protein powder market at $1.8 billion in 2023, CAGR 9.5% to $3.2 billion by 2030
17
Netherlands plant-based meat market expanded 14% to €200 million in 2023
18
South Korea vegan food sales hit KRW 1 trillion in 2023, 25% growth driven by K-pop influence
19
Italy vegan market reached €800 million in 2023, up 16% with pasta alternatives leading
20
Spain plant-based dairy sales grew 19% to €300 million in 2023
21
Japan's vegan food market valued at JPY 100 billion in 2023, CAGR 12% projected
22
Sweden vegan sales hit SEK 2 billion in 2023, 20% YoY increase
23
Mexico plant-based market grew to MXN 5 billion in 2023, up 28%
24
Turkey vegan food sales reached TRY 1.5 billion in 2023, 22% growth
25
Singapore vegan market at SGD 150 million in 2023, CAGR 18%
26
UAE plant-based sales hit AED 500 million in 2023, up 30%
27
New Zealand vegan food market reached NZD 100 million in 2023, 24% growth
28
South Africa vegan sales grew to ZAR 1 billion in 2023, 26% YoY
29
Poland plant-based market at PLN 500 million in 2023, up 17%
Interpretation
Market Growth Interpretation
The world's appetite for plant-based living is growing at a truly market-moving pace, proving that what was once a fringe ethical choice has now become a serious, multi-billion-dollar global shift in how we eat, dress, and care for ourselves.
More related reading
04 · Category
Product Sales24 stats
01
Plant-based meat sales in U.S. supermarkets reached $1.4 billion in 2023, up 2% YoY
02
Oat milk U.S. sales hit $700 million in 2023, surpassing almond milk at $600 million
03
Global vegan ice cream market sales were $1.2 billion in 2023, CAGR 11% projected
04
U.S. vegan yogurt sales grew 15% to $450 million in 2023
05
UK plant-based burger sales reached £150 million in 2023, 10% growth
06
Europe vegan chocolate sales hit €500 million in 2023, up 18%
07
Brazil plant-based sausage sales surged to BRL 300 million in 2023
08
Australia vegan snack bar sales at AUD 80 million in 2023, 22% up
09
Canada vegan butter sales grew 20% to CAD 50 million in 2023
10
France plant-based seafood sales reached €100 million in 2023, 25% growth
11
Germany vegan mayo sales hit €120 million in 2023, up 16%
12
Italy plant-based pasta sales at €200 million in 2023, 14% increase
13
Spain vegan jerky sales grew to €50 million in 2023
14
Japan vegan ramen sales reached JPY 20 billion in 2023, 19% up
15
Sweden plant-based pizza sales at SEK 300 million in 2023, 21% growth
16
Mexico vegan tortilla sales hit MXN 200 million in 2023, up 27%
17
Turkey plant-based baklava sales grew to TRY 100 million in 2023
18
Singapore vegan bubble tea sales at SGD 30 million in 2023, 28% up
19
UAE vegan hummus sales reached AED 50 million in 2023
20
New Zealand plant-based pies sales at NZD 40 million in 2023, 23% growth
21
South Africa vegan boerewors sales hit ZAR 80 million in 2023, up 25%
22
Poland plant-based pierogi sales grew to PLN 100 million in 2023
23
U.S. online vegan food sales surged 35% to $2.5 billion in 2023
24
Vegan protein bar global sales reached $2.1 billion in 2023, CAGR 8.5%
Interpretation
Product Sales Interpretation
From oat milk dethroning almonds to vegan baklava in Turkey and boerewors in South Africa, the global dinner plate is being redesigned with plant-based gusto, proving that this is no longer a niche trend but a serious, and seriously diverse, culinary revolution.
05 · Category
Sustainability21 stats
01
Vegan agriculture emits 75% less greenhouse gases than animal farming per Oxford study
02
Plant-based diets could cut food-related emissions by 70% by 2050 per IPCC
03
Vegan food production uses 76% less land than meat-based per Poore-Neme analysis
04
Switching to vegan saves 1,100 liters water per person daily vs average diet
05
Plant-based farming reduces biodiversity loss by 50% compared to livestock
06
Vegan diets lower deforestation risk by 75% in supply chains per WWF
07
Global vegan shift could free 42% cropland for reforestation per study
08
Plant-milk production emits 80% less CO2 than dairy per lifecycle analysis
09
Vegan leather from plants uses 90% less water than cowhide tanning
10
Regenerative vegan farming sequesters 2 tons CO2/ha more than conventional
11
Plant-based meat cuts methane emissions by 90% vs beef per FAO data
12
Vegan supply chains reduce ocean dead zones by 40% via less fertilizer runoff
13
Global vegan adoption could save 8.1 gigatons CO2e annually by 2030
14
Plant-based diets use 50% less energy in production per USDA LCA
15
Vegan cosmetics packaging recyclable at 95% vs 60% leather goods
16
Regenerative plant farming improves soil carbon by 20% over 10 years
17
Vegan food waste is 30% lower due to less spoilage in plant processing
18
Plant-based shifts cut antibiotic resistance risk by 70% no factory farms
19
Vegan diets reduce acid rain precursors by 60% per Eutrophication Potential
20
Global vegan protein sources need 83% less farmland than animal protein
21
Plant-based aviation fuel from waste cuts emissions 65% vs fossil
Interpretation
Sustainability Interpretation
While the evidence overwhelmingly shows that a global shift to veganism would be a planetary defibrillator—dramatically reviving our air, water, and land—it appears the most stubborn endangered species is the human habit.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Julian Richter. (2026, February 13). Vegan Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/vegan-industry-statistics
MLA
Julian Richter. "Vegan Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/vegan-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Julian Richter. 2026. "Vegan Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/vegan-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
96 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level