Veganuary and Beyond: Meeting the growing demand for plant-based products

The global market for plant-based foods is predicted to reach $162 billion by 2030. Daria Pashkova, Product & Marketing Manager at Ohly, shares her insights.

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The plant-based food market is experiencing significant growth, with recent data from Bloomberg predicting that the global market for plant-based foods could reach $162 billion by 2030*. This increase is fueled by consumers who are prioritising health, sustainability, and ethical eating** by choosing alternatives to animal products without compromising on taste or quality. Initiatives such as Veganuary, have raised awareness of the benefits of plant-based eating while driving innovation and growth in the vegan food sector. A Veganuary survey found that 26% of British consumers would eat more meat-free products if they were confident of their taste; taste (17%) and texture (16%) were seen as key deterrents. Despite this, 52% had tried a 'meat-free' product***.

These high expectations pose significant challenges for product developers in crafting vegan options that replicate the sensory appeal of traditional animal-based products. With this in mind, Daria Pashkova, Product & Marketing Manager at Ohly who are experts in yeast-based vegan solutions, explains how product developers can overcome challenges related to off-notes, texture, and flavour to deliver authentic taste and quality in plant-based products which meet consumer demands.

Challenges faced by plant-based product developers