Global vegan meals market expanded at a very high pace in the last two years because the trigger factor is the consumers are health-conscious, nature-conscious, and animal protection is one of the drivers. Market size in 2023 was USD 2,186.9 million and it would grow to USD 2,446.6 million in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2% from 2025 to 2035 and to USD 4,464.8 million in 2035.
Market expansion is spurred by increased consumption of plant nutrition. The flexitarian and vegan trend is especially on the rise in Europe and North America, where food consumers strive to adopt healthy and sustainable eating habits. State support for plant nutrition-promoting policies and investment in plant proteins are also driving demand for plant foods.
The Asia-Pacific is also transforming fairly well with increasing urbanization, increasing disposable incomes, and increasing consumer needs for food crops. India, China, and Japan are some of the countries where increasing demands are being seen for alternative foods that are of vegan origin because of the impact of Western diets and foods.
Product innovation continues to be a growth driver for the market. Innovate to create more fiber, more protein, more nutrient-rich plant-based vegan food for new consumer groups such as the flexitarian group demanding healthier food. Foodtech technical innovations have also made mass production of meat alternative, plant milk alternative, and ready-to-eat easy-swallow plant meal possible.
The pressure of the greens on demand forced the packers to opt for pack sizes green, and thus the carbon prints and the plastic wastages. The industry players are now shifting towards the recyclable as well as biodegradable packaging, i.e., the green business aspect.
aside from that, marketplace retailing also aids DTC and e-commerce. Vegetarian dinner meals also posted solid online growth sales, mostly in pandemic years, as individuals needed plain edible vegetarian meals to be brought home. Organic and vegan meal subscription by meal subscription programs also increasing, supplemented with vegan food product offerings.
| Attributes | Description |
|---|---|
| Estimated Global Vegan Meals Industry Size (2025E) | USD 2,446.6 million |
| Projected Global Vegan Meals Industry Value (2035F) | USD 4,464.8 million |
| Value-based CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 6.2% |
The company is in the high growth stage but business would be vulnerable to encountering the following issues, i.e., product cost is too expensive, no lower geography base, and issues in consumer taste and nutrition fit. But as there would be grit work to be undertaken in R&D as well as increased investments coming into plant proteins, these would be de-risked.
With the growing demand among customers for healthy, ethical, and sustainable foods, the prospects for the plant-based meal industry will keep growing. Food technological innovation, partnership, and demand for plant-based food worldwide drive future growth.
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The above table indicates comparative study of six-month variation in CAGR from base year (2024) up to date and from current year up to now year (2025) in vegan food global market. Comparison indicates overall variation in performance and gives trend in realisation of revenue, thereby giving stakeholders clear vision of trend in growth for the year. H1 includes Jan to June and second half, i.e., H2, is Jul to Dec.
| Particular | Value CAGR |
|---|---|
| H1 (2024 to 2034) | 5.7% |
| H2 (2024 to 2034) | 5.9% |
| H1 (2025 to 2035) | 6.0% |
| H2 (2025 to 2035) | 6.2% |
Growth of the company is to increase at 6.0% CAGR in half 2025 to 2035 and accelerating growth in the second half of the period at a 6.2%. During the second phase, H1 2025 to H2 2035, stepwise CAGR will increase. The industry's performance for H1 2025 was 30 BPS better, and for the latter, from the time H2 2025, the company experienced an improvement of 20 BPS compared to its previous valuation.
Plant foods business is ready to experience a decade of humongous growth on the back of growing consumer awareness, wellness, and global demand for ethnicity- and sustainability-focused foods. With increasing technology savvy in the production of plant foods, further avenues of distribution, and R&D investment, the business will flourish.
Tier 1 consists of a group of leading companies that are of significant size, brand dominance, and global market penetration in the vegan food space. To capitalize on the growing demand for plant-based ready meals, these companies have high brand equity and large investments in advertising, developing new products, and expanding geographically.
Nestlé, for instance, through its Garden Gourmet and Sweet Earth brands, sells a host of vegan meals - including frozen entrees, bowls and plant-based proteins - across North America and Europe. Conagra Brands is another major player, having acquired top vegan brand Gardein, which has a wide breadth of frozen meals, meat alternatives and snacks available at leading supermarket and foodservice channels
Tier 2 - brands with reasonable revenue compared to tier 1, but with significant market share in certain areas, especially health focused or premium. For example, Amy’s Kitchen has cultivated an enthusiastic following for its organic, non-GMO vegan meals like burritos, lasagnas, and grain bowls, which are sold all over North America and parts of Europe.
Quorn Foods, famous for its mycoprotein-based products, is somewhat along the same track, also expanding into vegan meals and frozen entrees, appealing to sustainability and clean-label consumers. These companies mostly differentiate themselves through differences in ingredients, ethical sourcing, and advertising to targeted demographics like health-conscious or environmentally conscious consumers.
Tier 3: Emerging and small players start to become popular via direct-to-consumer sales, subscription meal plans and local retail partner These are usually low distribution, high creative companies that are more articulated through social media, influencer marketing, and sustainability narratives.
For example, allplants is a UK-based brand that delivers frozen chef-made vegan meals straight to your door, focusing on plant-based gourmet meals. One such example is Veestro, an American vegan meal delivery service that offers fully cooked, ready-to-heat meals. These Tier 3 firms are often designed for busy professionals and flexitarians seeking convenience, health benefits, and ethical consumption, prioritizing artisanal quality and personal experiences.
Growing Health Awareness and Flexitarian Lifestyles
Shift: Another major shift in consumer behavior is the increasing popularity of health foods and flexitarians. Consumers-especially Millennials and Gen Zers-are eating fewer animal products and instead favoring meals that are plant based and nutrient dense. They are seen as having little cholesterol, high fiber, environmentally sustainable, appealing to those with a preventative health and ethical consumption profile. Each of these countries - the USA, UK, Germany, Australia - lead this trend.
Strategic Response: Nestlé extended its Garden Gourmet range, launching new vegan ready-meals and plant-based meat substitutes, which boosted sales by 12% in Europe. In the UK, Unilever partnered with food delivery services to introduce vegan meal kits under its The Vegetarian Butcher brand, driving 10% growth within the ready-meal segment. Elsewhere, Beyond Meat partnered with USA retailers to roll out frozen vegan bowls and grab-and-go, contributing to a 15% increase in USA retail penetration.
Now the trend for Vegan Meal options in QSRs
Shift: Consumers are pushing for vegan choices from fast food and casual dining chains, wanting fast but without compromising on self integrity or health. From QSR to Foodservice, there is an international momentum to have vegan options present on menus, especially in metropolitan areas and in the younger generation. That has resulted in an expanding quilt of vegan options: burgers, wraps, bowls, pizzas.
Strategic Response: McDonald’s, in collaboration with Beyond Meat, unveiled the McPlant vegan burger in select markets that has led to 5% increase in footfalls across people visiting their outlets in Europe. Burger King launched vegan nuggets and plant-based Whoppers in more than 25 countries, netting same-store sales growth of 8%. Subway launched new vegan sub options in North America, while Domino’s Pizza UK experienced 20% growth in vegan pizza sales following the addition of plant-based options to its menu.
Innovation in Product Development and Clean Label Trends
Shift: Consumers want clean-label vegan meals that also use organic ingredients, little processing, and no fake stuff. Moreover, demand for high-protein, low carb, gluten free, and allergen friendly vegan meals is increasing. Functional nutrition and flavor innovation is the name of the game, as brands adapt to changing preferences.
Strategic Response: Amy’s Kitchen released a line of organic vegan meals with emphasis on non-GMO, gluten-free, and soy-free options and grew North American sales by 11%. Tattooed Chef's sales rose 7% following investments in research and development for high-protein plant-based ready meals like quinoa-based bowls and chickpea-based pasta dishes. In Europe and the USA, Oatly launched 'meal bases' - vegan formulations of oat milk in soups and savory dishes targeting the functional food segment.
The Boom in E-commerce & DTC Expansion
Shift: The increase in online grocery shopping and meal delivery services has heightened demand for vegan meal subscriptions, ready-to-eat (RTE) meals, and frozen vegan dishes. Consumers gravitate towards home delivery and meal kits which cater to customization and time saving. The pandemic accelerated this trend, and it continues now thanks to convenience and variety.
Strategic Response: Purple Carrot & Green Chef - who expanded vegan meal kit offerings over direct-to-consumer (DTC) subscriptions, growing 20% in North America. HelloFresh has introduced a dedicated “Plant-Based Plan” option which has seen orders of vegan kits in Europe rise by 30%. Veestro launched frozen plant-based meal bundles and zero-waste packaging, which drove 25% growth in online orders.
Cultural Fusion and Regional Expansion on Vegan Meals
Shift: People want global flavors and cultural diversity in vegan meals, from Asian to Mediterranean, Latin American and African cuisines. Vegan ethnic food establishes gastronomic path where healthy food meets its own region and tradition. Markets in India, Brazil, and Southeast Asia are also seeing regional growth with traditional plant based on the plate being reinterpreted into convenient packaged vegan meals.
Strategic Response: To increase their overall presence in APAC by over 10%, Impossible Foods introduced two vegan biryani and noodle bowls in India and Singapore. Sales climbed 9% at Laird Superfood, which rolled out vegan Latin-inspired meal kits in USA grocery chains. Wicked Kitchen brought its UK-based ethnic vegan meals into USA retail and that helped account for 15% growh in international revenues.
Purchase Drivers: Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing
Shift: Sustainable ingredients, ethical supply chains, and eco-friendly packaging are becoming more and more important in vegan meal purchases. Related: Climate-conscious consumers are making food choices to align with ESG goals (Environmental, Social, Governance). By focusing on carbon neutrality, fair trade, and recyclable packaging, brands find a way to stand out in a very competitive market.
Strategic Response: Sweet Earth Foods (Nestlé) launched a line of carbon neutral vegan meals in the USA, driving 8% growth in sustainability-leveraged segments Planted Foods in Switzerland, which focused on traceable sourcing and compostable packaging, saw a 12 percent increase in sales in Europe. Touting its vegan egg-women venture alongside sustainable ingredient partners as promoting regenerative agriculture practices, Eat Just then attracted ESG funds to invest in its egg-meal fund.
The following table shows the estimated growth rates of the top five territories. These markets are set to experience high consumption through 2035.
| Country | CAGR, 2025 to 2035 |
|---|---|
| USA | 6.0% |
| Germany | 6.4% |
| China | 6.1% |
| Japan | 5.8% |
| India | 6.6% |
USA demand for vegan meals is growing due to the rise in health-conscious and environmentally minded consumers. Increasing popularity of flexitarian and vegan diets has driven innovation in ready-to-eat vegan meal products, in response to consumer demand for plant-based alternatives. In fact, retailers, supermarkets, and online retailers expanded and made vegan meals even more available. Moreover, the clean-label trend has prompted producers to launch organic, non-GMO, and preservative-free alternatives, which will also propel the market growth.
Germany is leading across Europe in the adoption of plant-based food, having a well-established vegan culture and higher investments in food innovation. They want clean, ethical, and high-protein vegan meals, and grocery store offerings from traditional brands and startups have expanded to meet demand.
Supermarkets and organic food retailers are constantly increasing their plant-based offerings, with vegan meals becoming more available. Market growth has also benefited from government support for both sustainable food production and plant-based nutrition.
With greater awareness of plant-based nutrition and an expanding population of middle-class Chinese, demand has surged for vegan meals. It is in this context, of growing urbanization and disposable incomes, that consumers crave convenient and nutritious meal solutions that can be integrated with traditional Chinese eating patterns. The growth of the e-commerce and food delivery sector has also contributed to the market growth. The market outlook has also been bolstered by government initiatives encouraging plant-based protein as an alternative sustainable food source.
The increasing demand for vegan meals in Japan has also been boosted by the country’s emphasis on health, longevity, and functional foods. As part of this, consumers look for foods originating in traditional Japanese, yet with health value, especially plant-based foods.
Convenience stores and supermarkets, along with online grocery platforms, have seen a boost in their plant-based meal offerings that now serve an ever-growing consumer base. Japan’s stringent food safety requirements and high expectations for quality sourcing also guarantee that vegan meal options are top tier.
India's cultural leaning toward vegetarianism and a growing awareness of veganism have driven the growth of the market for vegan meals. Factors such as health consciousness, environmental sustainability concerns, and the influence of the Western diet have driven this expansion in the market.
Over time, with the growing demands on restaurants, grocery stores, and online platforms, convenience became a driving force leading to the introduction of vegan meal options. Moreover, the government initiatives promoting plant-based diets as a part of sustainability drive have also bolstered the market landscape. As India’s population grows and its urban density continues to increase, the market for plant-based meals is set to keep expanding.
| Segment | Value Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Type (By Application) | 58.2% |
The increasing consumer preference for tastier, healthier, and better meal options with less hassle, is needling the demand of RTE vegan meals. In our fast paced life and growing knowledge of plant based diets, consumers are moving towards ready-made meals that require no preparations. Some of the top brands are reinventing themselves by providing nutrient-dense, minimally processed vegan dishes that appeal to a wide range of palates, from international cuisine to traditional comfort foods.
Such companies as Amy’s Kitchen, Sweet Earth and Tattooed Chef have expanded their offerings to include frozen and refrigerated meals promising greater culinary flair and nutrition. The sector was quickly able to service both adults who want to eat on the go as well as households in terms of meals that were packaged as single-serve portions as if expressly intended to serve easily on-the-go consumers.
Moreover, technological improvements in the packaging industry contributed to increase shelf-life, portability, and freshness in diets, thus getting an essential and convenient space in the daily meals of students, working professionals, and health enthusiasts thus augmenting overall growth of the global market.
| Segment | Value Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Online Sales (By Distribution Channel) | 41.5% |
Due to the e-commerce boom and the increased demand for plant products, vegan meals become a key distribution channel for online sales. Vegan meals are easier to get as consumers increasingly look to direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands, subscription-based meal plans and even big-name online marketplaces to get their meat-free meals when they want and where they want. Online purchasing is definitely easy owing to the personalized meal plans, discounts, and home actual delivery.
Brands like Purple Carrot, Veestro, and Daily Harvest are cashing in on this trend, offering curated vegan meal subscriptions that allow consumers to customize their meal plan based on dietary preferences. And retailers such as Amazon, Thrive Market and Whole Foods Online have vastly expanded their plant-based meal offerings, elevating sales through digital channels.
The possibility of comparing products, reading customer reviews, as well as getting detailed nutritional information, is another reason why online sales have raised. This is where the online market embraces consumers who are becoming more health-aware and ingredient-conscious, providing them with transparency when making decisions. Use of creative digital marketing techniques, influencer marketing, and targeted campaigns on social media are further improving online presence and sales of vegan meal items.
The Vegan Meals market is getting very competitive with the leading players BYOND MEAT, IMPOSSIBLE FOODS, AMY'S KITCHEN and NESTLE expanding their market share through brand awareness, product innovation or through partnership. The companies are meeting growing demand for plant-based convenience foods by launching a wide range of ready-to-eat meals, frozen dishes and meat alternatives.
Enable producers to stay competitive with more traditional meal providers by appealing to both vegan and flexitarian shoppers with an exciting array of flavors and cuisines. As a way to stand out, manufacturers are also putting emphasis on getting new products and premiumization on the market. High protein, allergen-free, and gluten-free vegan meals are being introduced out there. Also, ethnic-influenced dishes, like vegan curries, burritos, and Asian bowls, are gaining traction and expanding the market. Innovation in packaging is also significant.
Eco-friendly, microwaveable, and resealable packaging by brands helps aid convenience and sustainability. Transparent labeling accompanied by claims like “non-GMO,” “organic” and “no artificial additives” are helping companies gain the trust of health-conscious consumers.
For instance:
The global vegan meals market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period.
The market is estimated to reach approximately USD 4,464.8 million by 2035.
The ready-to-eat (RTE) vegan meals segment is expected to witness the fastest growth due to increasing consumer demand for convenient, plant-based food options.
Key growth drivers include rising adoption of plant-based diets, increasing awareness of environmental sustainability, and expanding availability of innovative vegan meal options in retail and food service sectors.
Leading companies in the market include Amy's Kitchen, Inc., Beyond Meat, Inc., Daiya Foods, Inc., Danone SA, Eden Foods, Inc. & Plamil Foods Ltd
Market segmented into Ready-to-Eat Meals, Meal Kits, Snacks, and Beverages.
Market segmented into Retail Outlets, Online Sales, and Meal Delivery Services.
Market segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), and the Middle East & Africa (MEA).
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Vegan Meals Market
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