Recent U.S. findings reported by ofi, a global leader in naturally good food and beverage ingredients, show consumer interest in plant-based products continues to rise, with meat eaters, milk drinkers and vegetarians alike increasingly open to plant-based offerings. Findings showed 55% of consumers increased their intake of plant-based products over the last two years, while 63% expect to use more in the next two years. In the U.S., the plant-based beverages, desserts, and ice-cream market is worth an estimated $4.3 billion in 2022, however, research shows that 7% of consumers switched back to dairy products after not liking the first plant-based product they tried, indicating there’s opportunity for innovation in the space. 

“As the plant-based consumer landscape continues to broaden, food and beverage manufacturers will have new challenges to ensure that their products are meeting consumer expectations,” said, Sonali Dalvi, Vice President of Innovation and Head of ofi’s Customer Solutions Center in Chicago.