Key Takeaways
- The plant-based food market grew from 3.9 billion USD in 2017 to 8.1 billion USD in 2023, driven by the rise of flexitarian diets.
- Over half of Americans aged 24-39 identify as flexitarians, with 26% of all consumers following a flexitarian diet.
- Improving flavor remains the biggest challenge in developing plant-based products, according to 44% of consumers.
- Edlong is launching a Plant-Based Pro Tips video series to enhance flavor in plant-based food creations, starting September 23rd.
- The series will offer insights from Edlong’s R&D experts, along with additional resources for creating delicious plant-based products.
Plant-based food and beverage products have come a long way.
In less than a decade, they’ve gone from niche options for a relatively small number of consumers. Now, they are diet staples for millions of people worldwide.
According to sales data from SPINS, in 2017, the plant-based market was worth around 3.9 billion USD. By 2023, it had grown to around 8.1 billion USD.
It’s easy to see why.
Flexitarian and Plant-Based
In 2021, a survey found that over half (54%) of Americans aged 24-39 identified as flexitarians. Additionally, a recent study from Innova Market Insights discovered that roughly 1 in 4 (26%) of all consumers claim to follow a flexitarian diet. Nearly another quarter identify as either vegetarian (17%) or vegan (6%).
As much as this market and its products have grown, where they’re heading is even more exciting for developers. This is especially true for consumers alike.
Still, as bright as the future looks for plant-based, taking products to this next level won’t be without challenges.
In fact, with 44% of consumers wanting to see improved flavor from plant-based products, achieving great taste remains the biggest challenge facing developers today. Moreover, it remains the biggest challenge going forward.
This is where Edlong can help you become a Plant-based Pro!
Improve Plant-Based Product Flavor
By unlocking the power of our 110+ years of experience and expertise in dairy and dairy-type flavors, we can empower you to overcome even the toughest taste challenges. As a result, you can elevate your plant-based food and beverage creations.
As part of our ongoing mission to make plant-based everything that it can be, we are excited to announce our Plant-Based Pro Tips video series!
Over the next 13 weeks, these bite-sized videos from some of Edlong’s top R&D experts will offer valuable insights and approaches. These will help you create the most delicious plant-based products possible.
Make sure to mark your calendars for September 23rd for Pro Tip #1: Choose Flavor Profiles to Compliment Your Base.
Find out how to get exclusive access to all of our Plant-Based Pro Tips at once!
Hungry for more? Check out our other Plant-Based Pro-Series™ Resources, including webinars, trend reports, and more.
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