U.S. Plant-Based Alternatives Market Grows Amid Shifting Consumer Preferences

U.S. Plant-Based Alternatives Market Size and Share 2025 to 2034

The U.S. plant-based alternatives market size reached at USD 3.25 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to increase from USD 3.84 billion in 2025 to an estimated USD 17.30 billion by 2034, witnessing a CAGR of 18.2% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. The wide expansion of plant-based food processing and the production of fermented, cultivated, or cell-based food products fostered innovations across the globe. 

Key Highlights

• By product type, the plant-based meat segment dominated the market with an estimated share of 38% in 2024, due to the revolutionary approaches in the plant-based meat market. 
• By product type, the plant-based seafood and cheese segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period, driven by the transformation of agriculture, food systems, and food safety. 
• By protein source, the soy and pea protein segment dominated the market with an estimated share of 42% in 2024, driven by plenty of nutritious content in soy and pea products. 
• By protein source, the mycoprotein and fungi-based segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period due to a rich source of iron and other essential nutrients. 
• By consumer group, the flexitarians segment dominated the market with an estimated share of 47% in 2024, due to improved recommendations for healthy diets. 
• By consumer group, the lactose-intolerant & allergy groups segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period, driven by the health benefits of dairy products and plant-based foods for lactose-intolerant people. 
• By distribution channel, the supermarkets & hypermarkets segment dominated the market with an estimated share of 44% in 2024, due to the expansion of supermarket and hypermarket businesses, driven by their potential advantages.
• By distribution channel, the online & foodservice segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period, driven by the popularity of potential online food ordering systems and services.

Industry Coverage

Market Overview

What are the Remarkable Insights about Plant-based Food? 

The U.S. plant-based alternatives market includes food and beverage products that are made entirely or primarily from plant-derived ingredients and serve as substitutes for traditional animal-based products. These alternatives aim to replicate the taste, texture, and nutritional value of meat, dairy, and other animal-derived items while supporting sustainability, health, and ethical consumption. The market spans categories like plant-based meat, dairy, seafood, eggs, and ready meals, and is fueled by rising demand from vegans, flexitarians, and environmentally conscious consumers.

U.S. Plant-Based Alternatives Market Trends

Which are the Alternative Protein Trends? 

• Personalized Nutrition: Research suggests that the personalized nutrition industry is expected to grow significantly by 2027. Plant-based foods are made from various ingredients that possibly meet the nutritional needs of people. 
• More Collaborations: North America stands as the largest producer of pea protein. Some of the cultivated meat leaders in this region are Aleph Farms, Upside Foods, PURIS, Wildtype, etc. Moreover, the leaders in mycoprotein are ENOUGH and Cocuus, which collaborate with the cultivated meat leaders to foster innovations. 

Market Opportunity

How Plant-based Alternatives Present Opportunities to Farmers and Industries? 

The collaborations with food and tech companies, farmer-tech collaborations, and ingredient supply provide favorable opportunities for innovation. The partnerships with food tech companies, research, and innovations create innovation hubs and support research initiatives. The optimization of value chains allows value-added products to enter into the market through technological integration. 

Market Challenges

Which Challenges are associated with Food Insecurity?

The Asian Pacific countries like India face issues of food insecurity. The environmental concerns are associated with the production of animal-based food products such as dairy, meat, and eggs. There is a great demand for animal meat which results in land conversion for grazing and feed crops. This requires a lot of water and resources, which negatively impacts ecosystems and local communities. 

Country Level Insights

How does the U.S. Support the Alternative Protein Industry? 

The USDA makes efforts to invest $3.1 billion in 141 selected projects. There are exports of cultivated meat by the leading companies in the U.S. based on the regulatory requirements from the U.S. FDA and the USDA. Plant-based foods can transform a sustainable food system. The government, citizens, and industries provide recommendations on the sustainable use of plant-based foods. The U.S. FDA provided guidance for industries for best practices in the naming and labeling of plant-based alternatives to seafood, eggs, meat, poultry, and dairy products. 

• In April 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an investment of $1.5 billion to assist farmers in advancing conservation and climate-smart agriculture as a part of America’s agenda towards investments. (Source: USDA-U.S. Department of Agriculture)

Segmental Insights

Product Type Insights 

How Plant-based Meat Segment Dominated the Plant-based Alternatives Market in 2024? 

The plant-based meat segment dominated the plant-based alternatives market in 2024. The growing awareness regarding nutrition, health, and well-being among global consumers drives the growth of plant-based meat solutions. The use of different ingredients such as potato starch, pea protein, coconut oil, lentils, beans, tofu, soy, wheat gluten, nuts, seeds, and vegetables enhance the quality of plant-based meat products. A less red meat can potentially reduce the risk of heart disease while nutrients are present in the form of fat, saturated fat, protein, carbohydrates, sugars, and dietary fiber. The increased focus of consumers on avoiding added sugars, artificial ingredients, and high calories offers them these products having characteristic features. The increasing intake of plant-based meat in the U.S. is driven by ethical, environmental, and health reasons. 

The plant-based seafood and cheese segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the plant-based alternatives market during the forecast period. Research studies suggest that plant-based seafood provides similar nutritional benefits as fish without causing environmental costs. The functional plant-based seafood and cheese present good solutions to address nutritional deficiencies. 

Protein Source Insights 

What made Soy & Pea Protein the Dominant Segment in the Plant-based Alternatives Market in 2024? 

The soy and pea protein segment will dominate the market in 2024. Pea protein is a rich source of amino acids like arginine and lysine and branch chain amino acids like leucine, isoleucine, and valine. Pea protein supports heart health, is low-carb and high in protein and is a rich source of iron. A soy protein powder and pea protein powder both provide micronutrients, protein content, isoflavones, digestibility, and taste. The soy protein isolates are found in protein-based supplements, dairy products, condiments, certain meat substitutes, and bread products. Soy protein concentrates are found in baked goods, cereals, beer, meat substitute products, and infant milk formula. 

The Mycoprotein & fungi-based segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the plant-based alternatives market during the predicted timeframe. 

There are several health benefits of mycoprotein consumption which include antioxidant activity, improved lipid profiling, good muscle strength, reduced energy intake, reduced cardiovascular diseases, and reduced blood glucose levels. The presence of various pigments in fungi such as anthraquinone, flavins, melanins, ankaflavins, naphthoquinone, and quinones offer potential food and medicinal properties. 

Consumer Group Insights 

How did the Flexitarians Segment Dominate the Plant-based Alternatives Market in 2024? 

The flexitarians segment dominated the plant-based alternatives market in 2024. The flexitarian diet focuses on eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains. It also recommends consuming natural foods, whole foods, and limiting added sugar and sweets. A flexitarian diet helps in diabetes management, promotes weight loss, prevents cancer, improves heart health, and boosts skin health. The increased preference to limit processed meats, refined carbs, added sugar, sweets, and fast food raises the importance of the flexitarian diet. The emphasis on plant-based food and limiting animal products helps to achieve a nutritional balance and adopt sustainable eating habits. 

The lactose-intolerant & allergy groups segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period. The plant-based alternatives benefit people with lactose intolerance and allergies by assisting them in gastrointestinal digestion and dietary management. Dairy products are important sources of calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12, which are beneficial for lactose-intolerant people. 

Distribution Channel Insights 

How Supermarkets & Hypermarkets Segment Dominated the Plant-based Alternatives Market in 2024? 

The supermarkets & hypermarkets segment dominated the plant-based alternatives market in 2024. The supermarket businesses in India and across the globe offer several benefits, such as self-service, properly displayed goods, no bargaining policy, etc. The supermarkets offer the ease of dealing with one large customer instead of smaller independent customers. Businesses can experience increased sales with access to a large customer base. Some of the supermarkets and retailers conduct business improvement schemes to help their suppliers by improving process efficiency and expanding their operations. Both supermarkets and hypermarkets can achieve increased sales through product design and packaging design. 

The online & foodservice segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the predicted timeframe. The online food services or online food ordering systems provide ease and convenience for customers to place their orders through websites or mobile applications. The online systems can streamline food ordering processes and other operations within the establishment.

Recent Developments in the U.S. Plant-Based Alternatives Market

Danone SA

• Investment: In September 2024, Danone SA announced the investment of a €700 million bond with a 7-year maturity and a 3.20% coupon that has enhanced the funding flexibility of Danone and extended the maturity of its debt. (Source: Danone)

Nestle and SOCIAL

• Launch: In January 2024, Nestle India announced the collaboration with SOCIAL and introduced the launch of MAGGI Professional’s plant-based range in their Irresistible menu. (Source: Nestle)

U.S. Plant-Based Alternatives Market Leading Companies

• The Vegetarian Butcher (Unilever)
• Danone S.A.
• Nestlé S.A. (Sweet Earth, Garden Gourmet)
• Upfield (Violife, Flora Plant)
• Kellogg Company (MorningStar Farms)
• Maple Leaf Foods (Lightlife, Field Roast)
• The Kraft Heinz Company (BOCA)

Segments Covered in the Report

By Product Type

• Plant-Based Meat
• Plant-Based Dairy
• Plant-Based Seafood
• Plant-Based Eggs & Egg Replacers
• Plant-Based Snacks & Protein Bars
• Ready-to-Eat Plant-Based Meals
• Plant-Based Beverages

By Protein Source

• Soy Protein
• Pea Protein
• Wheat & Gluten
• Rice, Oat, and Legume-Based
• Mycoprotein & Fungi-Based
• Nuts & Seeds

By Consumer Group

• Vegans & Vegetarians
• Flexitarians & Reducetarians
• Lactose-Intolerant Individuals
• Allergy-Prone Consumers
• Sustainability-Focused Consumers

By Distribution Channel

• Supermarkets & Hypermarkets
• Health Food & Vegan Specialty Stores
• Online Platforms & DTC
• Restaurants & Foodservice
• Convenience Stores