Plant-Based Diets Surge as Climate Concerns Reshape Food Shopping Habits

Consumer habits around food are shifting rapidly. More people are choosing plant-based diets, while awareness of the climate impact of meat and dairy grows. These changes are also shaping how and what people buy. On the first day of January, sign-ups for Veganuary reached one person every 2.4 seconds. The challenge sees many stick with new habits, as 36% of participants stay vegan afterwards. Most others still aim to cut their meat intake by over half in the long term.

A quarter of people now identify as flexitarian. Half of them want to follow the latest food trends. Meanwhile, only one in ten meets the daily recommendation for fruit and vegetable consumption.

The global meal kit market is expanding by nearly 15% each year. More of these boxes now contain vegetarian or vegan options. E-grocery shopping is also on the rise, with instant delivery helping it reach over 20% of the market by 2030.

Awareness of food’s environmental impact is growing. Meat and dairy production currently contributes almost 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Worldwide, 42% of consumers believe plant-based diets will become the norm within a decade. The demand for plant-based food is increasing. More consumers are factoring climate concerns into their shopping choices. These trends suggest a lasting shift in eating habits and food retail.