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Report
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The US plant-based protein market has seen a marked decline since its $1.65 billion revenue peak in 2021, with sales projected to fall to an estimated $1.075 billion in 2026.
US
Vegan and Plant-based
simple
US Plant Based Proteins Market Report 2026
"Despite sluggish sales, consumers still view plant-based proteins as healthy additions to their diets. To build back trust, brands need to focus on what consumers gain, not what these products replace."
Jack Doggett, Food & Drink Analyst
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What you need to know
Outlook for plant-based proteins
Opportunities
Become a partner in GLP-1 diet shifts
Graph 1: past three month purchase of select foods, by GLP-1 status, 2026
Mirror the success of functional food and drink
Make plant-based proteins an option for struggling consumers
Graph 2: past three month purchase of select foods, by financial situation, 2026
THE MARKET
Market size and forecast
Consumers and the economic outlook
Consumer confidence continues to fall
Graph 3: consumer sentiment index, 2021-26
Protein is the focus in the new pyramid, but it’s largely meat-based
Plant-based meat alternatives continue to fight political battles in the US
A reality check for the plant-based protein market
Softer declines expected on the horizon
Graph 4: total retail sales of plant-based proteins, at current prices, 2021-31
Softer declines expected on the horizon
Plant-based declines are format agnostic
Graph 5: total retail sales and forecast of plant-based proteins, by segment, at current prices, 2021-31
Plant-based declines are format agnostic
Market share/brand share
Declines felt across nearly all plant-based brands
Graph 6: MULO+ sales of plant-based proteins, by leading companies, 2026
Declines felt across nearly all plant-based brands
Frozen meat substitute sales continue to chill
Graph 7: MULO+ sales of frozen meat substitutes, by leading companies and brands, 2026
Frozen meat substitute sales continue to chill
Refrigerated meat substitutes face more volatile declines
Graph 8: MULO+ sales of refrigerated meat substitutes, by leading companies and brands, 2026
Refrigerated meat substitutes face more volatile declines
THE CONSUMER
Why people choose plant-based proteins now
What plant-based proteins are doing well
Relatively flat consumption spells low frequency
Graph 9: past three month purchase of select foods, 2024-26
Personal, pre-planned meals are where plant-based proteins live
Graph 10: reasons/occasions for consumption of select food types, 2026
Gen Z are leading the way
Graph 11: past three month purchase of select foods, Gen Z, 2024-26
Away from the “we”, towards the “me”
Graph 12: reasons for buying plant-based proteins more often than animal-based, % in top three, 2026
Graph 13: past three month purchase of select foods, by region, 2026
The demand for innovation is not limited to current buyers
Graph 14: attitudes about new plant-based options, plant-based protein buyers, 2026
Graph 15: attitudes about new plant-based options, plant-based protein non-buyers, 2026
Where plant-based proteins can improve
The most pertinent plant-based problems
Processing pulls plant-based proteins apart
Processed, but for the wrong reasons
Graph 16: important protein factors, top five, 2026
Legumes fulfill the plant-based wish list
Graph 17: associations of protein types, 2026
Improvements will bring people in
Flavor has to be a focus
Graph 18: improvements that would increase consumption of plant-based proteins, 2026
Nutrition is a good introduction, but taste inspires repeat purchase
Graph 19: motivations for repeat purchase of plant-based proteins, 2026
PRODUCT, INNOVATION AND MARKETING
Meat imitation
Impossible sees what’s possible
Flavor-led meatless innovations
Beyond goes beyond meat, aiming to shift plant-based perceptions
Cultivated meat gets a social boost
Plant-forward alternatives
Actual Veggies delivers on its name
Tofu brands level up creativity
Tootie’s Tempeh takes aim at tofu
White Castle goes from imitation to plant-forward
APPENDIX
Report scope/Market definition
The market
Forecast methodology
Forecast methodology – fan chart
Market size and forecast of plant-based proteins, at inflation-adjusted prices
Average annual household spending on plant-based proteins
Total retail sales of plant-based proteins, by channel
The consumer
Consumer research questions
Trended Purchase Metrics
Consumer research methodology
Correspondence analysis methodology
US generation groups
US Plant Based Industry – Trends and Insights
The US plant-based protein market has seen a marked decline since its $1.65 billion revenue peak in 2021, with sales projected to fall to an estimated $1.075 billion in 2026.
Beneath these shrinking figures, however, lies a significant indicator of latent potential: 79% of US consumers report that a single improvement – such as better taste or simpler ingredients – would make them more likely to purchase plant-based proteins. This gap between slow sales and consumer openness suggests that while the category is struggling, opportunity for reengagement exists with the right changes.
As a whole, the strategies of plant-based protein brands need to shift with the realities of the US population. Even in plant-based proteins, consumers are much more focused on personal, tangible benefits than they are on altruistic values. To regain relevance, plant-based brands can keep an environmental and animal welfare-based ethos, but have to shift core messaging to be about the benefits for the individual consumer.
This Report Looks at the Following Areas:
Purchase of plant-based and other proteins
Market size and forecast of plant-based proteins
Reasons for purchasing animal/plant-based proteins more often than the other
Perceptions of plant-based proteins, within the category and compared to animal-based
Improvements to improve the likelihood of a plant-based protein purchase
Current strengths and weaknesses of plant-based proteins
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