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A new report finds that Germany is launching more vegan products than any other European country, as 1 in 10 new products released are suitable for vegans.
Germany is ahead of the game when it comes to plant-based eating, as 10% of the German population describe themselves as vegan or vegetarian. And now, according to a new report, a whopping 1 in 10 new products released in Germany features a vegan label. In fact, the rate at which companies in Germany are releasing vegan products is actually now far exceeding the development of vegetarian products—which already account for 6% of new product launches.
When compared to the rest of Europe, Germany accounts for 36% of all new vegan food and drink products, with the United Kingdom in second at 21%, and France and Italy following at seven and four%, respectively.
Katya Witham, Senior Food & Drink Analyst at Mintel, says:
“The vegan diet is rapidly moving from the fringe to the mainstream as one of the fastest-growing segments in the German food and drink industry, with consumers’ interest in meat-free diets continuing unabated. Germany has seen vegan references explode in the market as veganism infiltrates foodservice and retail packaged food sectors. Vegan products seem to succeed in attracting attention from a much wider, health and ethically driven, flexi-vegan consumer base. Demand is also spurred by the growing interest in both free-from and organic qualities, which are commonly represented by vegan products.”
And not content to stop there, Germans are now focusing on increasing their production of vegan meat alternatives (up 44% since 2011) while eliminating additives and preservatives. “The range of vegan meat alternatives is growing significantly, providing meat replacements in all shapes, sizes and flavors—from deli slices, meatballs, and mince meat to game, poultry, bacon, and sausages,” Mintel Senior Food & Drink Analyst Katya Witham said.
Information taken from Mintel report.
