U.S. Plant-Based Protein Sales Reach $7.4 Billion

New data released by the Plant Based Foods Association and others shows U.S. retail sales of plant-based foods grew 6.2% in 2021. That increase came after a record year of growth in 2020. The total plant-based market value reached an all-time high of $7.4 billion.

Overall, the Plant Based Foods Association says plant-based food retail sales grew three times faster than total food retail sales, with most plant-based categories outpacing their conventional counterparts. Plant-based milk imitation product dollar sales grew 4% and 33% in the past three years to reach $2.6 billion.

After record growth in years prior, 2021 plant-based meat imitation product dollar sales remain strong, delivering a repeat year of $1.4 billion in sales, and growing 74% in the past three years. Plant-based burgers continue to lead the plant-based meat category as the top-selling product type.

The fastest-growing plant-based meat product types in 2021 were plant-based meatballs, chicken nuggets, tenders, and cutlets, and deli slices.

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