Plant-Based Sales Surge to $4.5 Billion

New data released by The Good Food Institute (G.F.I.) and the Plant-Based Foods Association (P.B.F.A.) show plant-based foods sales significantly outpaced overall grocery sales last year. U.S. retail sales of plant-based foods grew 11% — five times more than total food sales — bringing the total plant-based market to $4.5 billion.

The leading drivers of plant-based sales continue to be meats and dairy products, including milks, cheese, yogurts and ice cream. Sales of plant-based milks grew 6% over the past year and now make up 13% of the entire milk category, while cow’s milk sales declined 3%.

Emerging plant-based dairy categories experienced the most rapid growth. Spreads, dips, sour cream and sauces grew more than any other category, expanding by 52%. While other plant-based categories experienced similar growth, sales of conventional animal products stagnated or declined. Plant-based yogurt sales grew 39% while conventional yogurt declined 3%. Plant-based cheese grew 29% while conventional cheese was flat. Plant-based ice cream and frozen novelty grew 27% while conventional sales grew 1%.

According to the report, the plant-based meat category grew by 10% and is now worth more than $800 million. Plant-based meats accounted for 2% of retail packaged meat sales, with refrigerated plant-based meat growing 37%. Sales in the conventional meat category, in contrast, grew by 2%.

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