The market for plant-based alternatives and alternative proteins is continuing to expand, driven by growing consumer interest in sustainable, ethical, and health-conscious food choices. These products can offer substantial environmental benefits, such as reduced emissions and resource use, while aligning with evolving dietary preferences. As new producers emerge and established companies adapt, innovations in alternative proteins are transforming our food systems, while also helping to future-proof job opportunities.
Sources
[1] Smart Protein (2023): Evolving appetites: an in-depth look at European attitudes towards plant-based eating. Available at: https://proveg.org/report/evolving-appetites-an-in-depth-look-at-european-attitudes-towards-plant-based-eating/ [Accessed: 07.02.2025]
[2] Data based on: GFI: Alternative protein company database. Available at: https://gfi.org/resource/alternative-protein-company-database/ [Accessed: 07.02.2025]
[3] GFI (2024): 2023 State of the Industry Report. Cultivated meat and seafood. Available at: https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/State-of-the-Industry-Report-Cultivated-meat-and-seafood.pdf [Accessed: 04.03.2025]
[4] GFI (2024): 2023 State of the Industry Report. Fermentation: meat, seafood, eggs, and dairy. Available at: https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/State-of-the-Industry-report_Fermentation_2023.pdf [Accessed: 04.03.2025]
[4] Data based on: GFI (2024): 2023 State of the Industry Report. Plant-based: Meat, seafood, eggs, and dairy. Available at: https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2023_State-of-the-Industry-Report-Plant-based-meat-seafood-eggs-and-dairy.pdf [Accessed: 07.02.2025]
[5] Smart Protein (2020): Plant-based foods in Europe: How big is the market? Available at: https://proveg.org/report/plant-based-foods-in-europe-how-big-is-the-market/ [Accessed: 07.02.2025]
[6] GFI Europe (2023): Europe plant-based food retail market insights. Available at: https://gfieurope.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2020-2022-Europe-retail-market-insights_updated-1.pdf [Accessed: 07.02.2025]
[7] GFI Europe (2024): Plant-based retail sales data for six European countries: 2021-early 2024. Available at: https://gfieurope.org/plant-based-sales-data-2023/ [Accessed: 07.02.2025]
[8] Climateworks Foundation & Global Methane Hub (2023): Global Innovation Needs Assessments. Food System Methane. Technical Report. Available at: https://www.climateworks.org/ginas-methane/ [Accessed: 07.02.2025]
[9] Saget, C., A. Vogt-Schilb & T. Luu (2020). Jobs in a Net-Zero Emissions Future in Latin America and the Caribbean. Inter-American Development Bank and International Labor Organization, Washington D.C. and Geneva.
[10] green alliance (2023): Appetite for change: Why the UK should lead the emerging alternative proteins market. Available at: https://green-alliance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Appetite_for_change.pdf [Accessed: 07.02.2025]
[11] Ministry of Food Agriculture and Fisheries of Denmark (2023): Danish Action Plan for Plant-based Foods. Available at: https://en.fvm.dk/Media/638484294982868221/Danish-Action-Plan-for-Plant-based-Foods.pdf [Accessed: 07.02.2025]
[12] GFI Europe (2024): Cultivated meat could add up to €85 billion to the EU economy and create up to 90,000 jobs by 2050. Available at: https://gfieurope.org/blog/cultivated-meat-could-add-up-to-e85-billion-to-the-eu-economy-and-create-up-to-90000-jobs-by-2050/ [Accessed: 07.02.2025]
[13] SYSTEMIQ (2024): The Future for Cultivated Meat in Europe. Available at: https://www.systemiq.earth/future-of-food/ [Accessed: 07.02.2025]
[14] GFI Europe (2024): En 2050 España podría alcanzar hasta 9.000 millones de euros gracias al sector de la carne cultivada. Available at: https://gfieurope.org/es/blog/en-2050-espana-podria-alcanzar-hasta-9-000-millones-de-euros-gracias-al-sector-de-la-carne-cultivada/ [Accessed: 07.02.2025]
[15] GFI Europe (2024): Studie: In Deutschland könnte durch kultiviertes Fleisch ein neuer Markt von 16 Milliarden Euro entstehen. Available at: https://gfieurope.org/de/blog/marktpotenzial-kultiviertes-fleisch/ [Accessed: 2025]
[16] Systemiq (2025): A Taste of Tomorrow – How protein diversification can strengthen Germany’s economy. Available at: https://www.systemiq.earth/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/A-Taste-of-Tomorrow-How-protein-diversification-can-strengthen-Germanys-economy_Systemiq_English_Final.pdf [Accessed: 10.02.2025]
