Jacksonville, Fla. (April 20, 2022) — Today Acosta released its latest research report, Plant-Based Eating: Trend or Fad? The report explores consumers’ increased interest in purchasing plant-based meat and dairy alternatives. According to Acosta’s research, 40% of today’s shoppers buy plant-based meat and/or dairy products, citing health as their key motivating factor.

“Consumers’ focus on healthy living increased significantly since the onset of COVID-19,” said Kathy Risch, Senior Vice President, Business Intelligence at 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. The Plant Based Foods Association reported $7 billion dollars in plant-based sales in 2021, a 27 percent increase from 2019. We expect to see steady growth in this category through the next decade, as consumer awareness continues to expand.”

Acosta’s research provides in-depth insight surrounding consumers’ increased interest in plant-based products.

Plant-Based Shopping Habits

• Forty percent of consumers surveyed in March 2022 purchased plant-based meat and/or dairy products within the last six months, with over half of those surveyed (60%) purchasing plant-based products several times a month.

            o Seventy-seven percent of consumers surveyed buy plant-based foods at traditional grocery stores.

            o Twenty percent of consumers surveyed buy plant-based foods online.

• Consumers typically buy plant-based meat and dairy alternatives to replace beef, pork and traditional milk.

Product Loyalty

• Sixty-four percent of plant-based buyers purchase within this category at least several times a month.
• Fifty-seven percent of plant-based buyers say they intend to consume plant-based alternatives throughout their lives.
• Nearly 20% of plant-based buyers say they follow a fully plant-based lifestyle.

Lingering Hesitancy

• While 50% of plant-based buyers claim it is important for restaurants to offer plant-based options, only about 20% usually buy these alternatives when eating out.
• About 33% of all U.S. shoppers claim to perceive plant-based foods as a fad, despite growing interest and demand.

Acosta’s Plant-Based Eating: Trend or Fad? report was gathered via online surveys using the company’s proprietary Shopper Community, conducted in March 2022.

About Acosta 

Acosta is an integrated sales and marketing services provider that enables consumer packaged goods brands and retailers to win in the modern marketplace by delivering progressive solutions and exceptional service. With more than 90 years of experience, Acosta understands evolving consumer needs and helps its clients and customers stay a step ahead, fueling their accelerated performance.