COVID-19 changed and redefined the status-quo of the food industry. Many things changed forever, while new ideas and brands came in with groundbreaking projects.
A clear example is plant-based foods.
This term was popularized in the 1980s by biochemist Thomas Campbell in his study on the «benefits of plant-based foods». Today, the term is reaching its peak of popularity and is naturally associated with plant-based foods and products.
Cities such as Sydney, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Los Angeles, and New York have been the pioneers of the plant-based food movement.
Now, why is this trend so popular?
INDEX
HEALTH BENEFITS.
The plant-based diet helps to improve recovery times in athletes.
The plant-based diet has multiple health benefits, among the capability of boosting the immune system, and a considerable increase in fiber intake, which improves digestion. It also helps us to maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of cancer in the future, in an important percentage.
The key when consuming these products is to avoid those with large amounts of sugar and fat.
INTEREST IN ANIMAL WELL-BEING.
They’re so CUTE!
COVID-19 woke consumers up and made them rethink their priorities, bringing health and wellness to the foreground, but there have also been other influences, such as animal well-being.
Ethics surrounding meat consumption have always been the subject of never-ending debate. It is estimated that 8 billion animals are sacrificed every year and that the agriculture animal industry is responsible for up to 91% of the destruction of the Amazon rainforest nowadays, the final consumer is aware that these animal-based diets have a negative impact on the globe.
In fact, according to Vegan Society statistics, about 48% of people who switched to a plant-based diet did so for animal welfare.
ROOM FOR INNOVATION AND MARKET OPPORTUNITIES.
Looks like real meat, but it’s not.
The new consumer aims for a healthy lifestyle, complemented by good and sustainable food, which has increased the demand for plant-based proteins and, consequently, made the portfolio of plant-based products more and more varied: hamburgers, sausages, vegan macaroni and cheese, potato milk and even milk formulated for newborns!
This trend will also serve as a canvas for new food artists: what will be the next product that will leave us with our mouths wide open?
Also, the field is open for new players and new investment opportunities. It is estimated that in the United States alone, it is a market worth USD $7 Billion. And by 2024, it will reach a value of USD $81 Billion, worldwide.
According to data released by Good Food Institute, by 2021, 22% of Latin American inhabitants will want to reduce traditional meat consumption and opt for a greener diet, mainly because of the health benefits it brings.
IN SUMMARY
The arrival of plant-based foods has been disruptive to the industry, and its massification has not been accidental. It is full of benefits, both for the final consumer (from a health point of view) and for the producer, who is being favored by the rapid growth of this industry.
It is truly amazing that after a relatively short period of time, plant-based products are so established that today they are not only the present but the future of the industry.
At SM&M we assist you to make your customers happy with our top-of-the-line products. Contact us!
