Across Europe and the US, consumers are switching to meat-free alternatives. No longer a niche market, veganism has gone up 500% in the US over the last three years and 360% in the UK over the last ten years.
Generational Difference
Age is a key influencer, with half of UK vegans falling into the 15-34 age bracket. Only 22% of the over-55s, however, are considering giving up meat. In the UK, over half the population classes itself as flexitarian, choosing to regularly eat less meat.
Partner these statistics with the meat- and dairy-substitutes industry, predicted to reach $40 billion by 2020. Food manufacturers are taking advantage and providing creative solutions for this fast-growing market.
A Plant-Based Future
Clever brands are ensuring that their products appeal to a wider audience than vegans alone. There is a large base of consumers seeking healthy, clean-label, plant-based food. The potential for vegan products is expanding, as demand grows from the non-vegan sector to complement the rising number of vegans.
Groundbreaking Ingredients
Ingenious producers are looking to both ancient and modern ingredients as nutritious alternatives to meat and dairy. Exhibiting at the show are ILO Coconen (Stand C17). Their cheese alternative is made from coconut milk, sauerkraut, and canola oil. Organic producers PROBIOS (Stand C34) are using interesting ingredients such as hemp, pea flour and algae across their sweet and savoury vegan product ranges.
ABCD Nutrition (Stand E26) has ventured into the vegan ready-meals sector. Its range of four dishes in handy pots, which can be eaten cold or hot, are also all gluten-free.
In the dairy alternatives arena, Edlong Dairy Technologies (Stand E22) have pioneered 25 natural vegan flavours. Marrying science and a variety of plant-based ingredients, they’ve created authentic dairy tastes in their flavourings.
Ronald Holman, Exhibition Director, said, "We are excited to welcome the latest and greatest meat-free and plant-based inventions from across the globe. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to meet multiple creative producers under one roof. Join us by pre-registering for your free badge at FreeFromFoodExpo.com."
The Free From/Functional Food Expo 2018 takes place on 16 and 17 May at the Kistamassan Exhibition Center, Stockholm, Sweden. The exhibition opens at 10am and closes at 5pm. For the latest updates, visit www.freefromfoodexpo.com or @FreeFromFood18 on Twitter.
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