Coronavirus Pushes The Case For Plant-Based Foods

Consumer interest in plant-based meat has been steadily rising over the past few years. This is because people are increasingly health and environment conscious. We hear the terms veganism, vegetarianism, and flexitarian much more today than we did say ten years ago. However, the rise of the plant-based foods industry has been very gradual and there aren’t too many takers for the product, but the current coronavirus pandemic has caused a clear shift in consumer preferences.

- Mr. Dheeraj Talreja*

A report published by the World Economic Forum and Reuters last month said that suppliers are seeing a surge in demand for plant-based protein foods in Asia because the Covid-19 has raised concerns over links between meat consumption and viral diseases. The trend of plant-based meat is also catching up in countries like Brazil and Mexico. And in China, the trend was already receiving a push because of newly imposed dietary guidelines that are aimed at reducing meat consumption by half.

Apart from the pandemic, there are several other trends and reasons that are pushing the plant-based foods industry into the limelight.

CLIMATE CHANGE

The climate crisis is significant reason driving the market for plant-based foods. Animal agriculture is responsible for 13–18% of greenhouse gas emissions globally and people are becoming increasingly aware of this fact. There is also a generally increased awareness of the impact of our food habits on the environment and a growing number of people want to make the right choices for themselves and their families. Hence, plant-based eating has gradually become a popular trend among a significant demographic in wealthy western countries.

HEALTH BENEFITS

The proven health benefits of plant-based eating are another reason why more and more people are moving towards plant-based foods. In the past decade, scores of studies have hinted at the increasing health benefits of plant-based diets. Studies have shown that people who consume more vegetables and legumes are less likely to be overweight compared to those who consume meat regularly. Diets like the Mediterranean-type diet that emphasize on plant-based foods and protein sources are now gaining popularity in the west that has long battled high rates of obesity and diabetes.