Each year more and more plant-based alternatives enter the market and more and more people go vegan (or at least reduce their consumption of animal products). Whether it is plant-based meat, cheese, milk, snacks, eggs, seafood or the plant protein industry. There are many options to choose from and the companies are constantly developing their products and new innovations are changing the landscape of plant-based food. 2022 was no different. It is estimated that the plant-based market will grow from around 30 billion USD in 2021 to 160 billion USD by 2030. Here are some of the 2022 innovations and general news that have changed the plant-based industry and new innovations that will follow in 2023 and after:
More brands are going vegan
Many traditional brands have hopped on the vegan train, either going fully vegan themselves or at least offering classic products in a plant-based version. Examples include the french dairy giant Bel Group and their new vegan version of the famous Babybel, Philadelphia cheese offering a vegan version of their popular cheese spread and Heinz having a vegan mayonnaise. The fast food chain Burger King has launched a massive plant-based menu, with nuggest, burgers and sandwiches and they even opened a fully vegan Burger King in Vienna to celebrate the launch.
Seafood
I went to the Vegan Expo in Dubai in January as it was part of the World Expo taking place there. I had the best fish and chips ever. It was so good and I was so happy, because honestly, while we have dozens of great meat substitutes, the seafood market has been a bit behind. 2022 has seen an increase in new vegan seafood products, whether salmon, fish sticks, tuna, calamari or shrimp. While the choice is still not as broad as with the meat alternatives, it seems like the plant-based seafood market is finally growing and creating some really delicious products. The Garden Gourmet tuna tastes so real that most of my non-vegan friends have said it’s almost scary and they now prefer it over actual tuna.
Dairy and Eggs
You have heard of almond milk ice cream, oat milk, coconut milk and soy. But did you know that there is chickpea ice cream? I didn’t either, but it does. Kenari nuts are now also used to create ice cream. As for milk alternatives, we already have amazing options, but I have seen even more alternatives last year including rye milk, pumpkin seed milk and potato milk. I have discovered the best egg salad last year as well, made completely of chickpeas. Generally, the egg industry also boomed, with more and more substitutes for scrambled eggs or omelettes entering the market. By now, you can get powder or already mixed cream in a bottle, such as the mixture from Perfeggt made from fava beans. Moreover, WunderEggs have launched hard boiled eggs that are 100% vegan.
Things to look forward to in 2023
The German company Veganz will work on a new process that allows plant-based milks to be printed. The process includes printed sheets or discs that can be mixed with water to then transform into healthier and more environmentally friendly milk-alternatives. There will be less packaging, less storage space needed, less water usage, an increased shelf life and far less greenhoue gas emissions. Considering how quick the market is growing and how more brands are hopping on the bandwagon, I would assume that 2023 will see some new developments in the seafood market as well as the egg industry. Either way, it’s going be exciting to follow the new developments and see what companies come up with in order to make vegan food even more delicious and accessible as well as even more sustainable.
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Photo: Roam in Color via Unsplash
