The Plant-Based Burger Market size was estimated at USD 3.8 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 8.2 billion by 2030, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.80% during the forecast period (2024-2030).

Plant-Based Burger Market

Market Summary

The plant-based burger market represents a transformative segment within the global food and beverage industry, driven by a fundamental shift in consumer dietary preferences towards sustainable and ethical eating habits. This market encompasses the development, production, and distribution of burger patties formulated entirely from plant-derived ingredients, designed to mimic the sensory experience of traditional meat. Key components include proteins sourced from peas, soy, wheat, and mushrooms, combined with fats, binders, and flavorings to achieve a meat-like texture and taste profile. The industry is characterized by intense innovation, with companies continuously refining their recipes to enhance flavor, juiciness, and nutritional content to appeal to a broad consumer base that includes not only vegans and vegetarians but also flexitarians seeking to reduce their meat consumption. The competitive landscape is dynamic, featuring both specialized startups and established food giants, all vying for market share in retail and foodservice channels globally.

Key Highlights

The plant-based burger market is distinguished by several pivotal developments that underscore its rapid evolution and commercial viability. A primary highlight is the profound level of investment and market entry from multinational food conglomerates, such as Nestl? with its Garden Gourmet brand and Unilever through The Vegetarian Butcher, signaling strong long-term industry confidence. Product innovation remains relentless, with recent launches focusing on improving the "bleeding" effect and achieving a flavor profile nearly indistinguishable from beef, a feat pioneered by companies like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat. Strategic partnerships between manufacturers and major quick-service restaurant chains, including Burger King, McDonald's, and KFC, have been instrumental in achieving mainstream acceptance and trial. Furthermore, the expansion of product availability beyond specialty health stores into mainstream supermarkets and club stores has dramatically increased consumer accessibility, making plant-based options a standard fixture in the modern grocery aisle.

Drivers, Opportunities & Restraints

The growth of the plant-based burger market is propelled by a confluence of powerful drivers. Increasing consumer awareness regarding the environmental impact of animal agriculture, particularly concerning greenhouse gas emissions and land use, is a significant factor. Health and wellness trends are equally influential, with many consumers perceiving plant-based alternatives as a healthier option lower in saturated fat and cholesterol. The ethical treatment of animals remains a core motivator for a substantial portion of the consumer base. Opportunities for market expansion are abundant, particularly in developing novel products that cater to specific nutritional needs, such as high protein or allergen-free options, and in penetrating emerging markets where meat consumption is traditionally high but awareness is growing. However, the market faces notable restraints, including a premium price point compared to conventional meat, which can be a barrier to adoption for price-sensitive shoppers. Consumer skepticism about the degree of processing and the use of genetically modified ingredients in some products also presents a challenge that manufacturers must address through clean-label initiatives.

Concentration Insights

The competitive concentration in the plant-based burger market reveals a landscape that is consolidating yet still offers room for niche players. The market is currently dominated by a few pioneering companies, namely Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, which have established strong brand recognition and secured extensive distribution partnerships. Their first-mover advantage has granted them a significant portion of the market share. However, the space is attracting intense competition from large, well-resourced food corporations like Kellogg's (through its MorningStar Farms brand), Conagra Brands (Gardein), and Tyson Foods, which leverage their established manufacturing, supply chain, and marketing capabilities to compete effectively. This influx of major players is increasing market concentration at the top. Simultaneously, a segment of smaller, artisanal brands focusing on organic, non-GMO, or unique ingredient profiles continues to thrive by catering to specific consumer demographics that prioritize clean labels and minimal processing.

Type Insights

The plant-based burger market is segmented by the primary protein source used in formulation, each offering distinct characteristics and consumer appeal. Soy-based burgers represent one of the most established and widely available categories, valued for their high protein content and ability to closely replicate the texture of ground beef. Pea protein has emerged as a highly popular alternative, favored for its allergen-free properties and sustainability credentials, forming the foundation for leading products from Beyond Meat and others. Blends that combine pea and rice protein are also gaining traction for creating a more complete amino acid profile. Mycoprotein, derived from fungus, offers a unique fibrous texture that is highly meat-like and is utilized by companies like Quorn. Furthermore, innovative blends incorporating ingredients such as mung bean, chickpea, and even watermelon seed are entering the market, providing variety and catering to consumers seeking novel and diverse plant-based protein sources beyond the conventional options.

Application Insights

Plant-based burgers have found widespread application across two primary channels: retail consumer packages and the foodservice industry. In the retail segment, products are sold in frozen, refrigerated, and increasingly in shelf-stable formats in supermarkets, hypermarkets, convenience stores, and through online grocery platforms. This channel caters to at-home consumption, where consumers seek convenience and the ability to incorporate plant-based options into their regular meal planning. The foodservice channel, encompassing quick-service restaurants (QSRs), casual dining establishments, pubs, and even high-end restaurants, represents a critical growth vector. Partnerships with major chains have been transformative, introducing plant-based burgers to millions of consumers who might not otherwise seek them out in a grocery store. The availability of these products on menus normalizes them as a viable and tasty alternative to meat, driving trial and repeat purchases. The growth in both channels is synergistic, as positive experiences in restaurants often lead to purchases in retail settings.

Regional Insights

The adoption and maturity of the plant-based burger market vary significantly across different global regions. North America, particularly the United States and Canada, stands as the largest and most developed market. This leadership is attributed to high consumer awareness, strong investment in innovation, and the rapid adoption of these products by the expansive QSR sector. Europe follows closely as a key market, with countries like the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands showing particularly strong penetration driven by robust vegetarian traditions and stringent environmental policies. The Asia Pacific region is identified as a high-growth potential market, fueled by a large population, rising health consciousness, and the presence of longstanding culinary traditions that already incorporate plant-based proteins, such as tofu and tempeh. However, cultural preferences and taste profiles differ greatly from Western markets, requiring localized product development. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are emerging regions where the market is in its nascent stages but showing promising growth due to urbanization and increasing exposure to global food trends.

Company Insights

The plant-based burger competitive field is composed of a diverse mix of companies, from agile innovators to established food titans. Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods are universally recognized as the market pioneers and trendsetters, having developed the groundbreaking products that catalyzed the category's boom. Their strategies heavily focus on continuous R&D, intellectual property protection, and securing exclusive partnerships with major foodservice chains. Traditional food industry heavyweights have entered the arena with considerable force; Kellogg's (MorningStar Farms), Conagra Brands (Gardein), and Nestl? (Garden Gourmet) compete by leveraging their massive manufacturing scale, established brand trust, and unparalleled distribution networks to quickly get products to market. Tyson Foods, a leading meat processor, has also launched its own line of plant-based and blended products, representing a significant strategic shift. This competitive dynamic ensures a constant stream of product innovation, marketing campaigns, and price competition, which ultimately benefits consumer choice and accelerates category growth.

Recent Developments

The plant-based burger market continues to evolve at a rapid pace, marked by several significant recent developments. A prominent trend is the focus on improving nutritional profiles, with companies reformulating products to reduce saturated fat and sodium content while boosting protein levels to align better with health-conscious consumer demands. There is a parallel movement towards "clean-label" ingredients, emphasizing simple, recognizable components and removing artificial additives. Geographically, market leaders are aggressively pursuing international expansion, launching products and forming partnerships in Europe and Asia to capture growth in these promising regions. On the manufacturing front, companies are investing heavily in increasing production capacity to meet soaring demand and achieve economies of scale that can help lower the consumer price point. Furthermore, the competitive landscape is intensifying with the entry of new players and private-label offerings from major retailers, which increases market competition and provides consumers with more affordable options.

Report Segmentation

This comprehensive market research report on the plant-based burger industry provides a detailed and structured analysis segmented across multiple dimensions to offer granular insights. The segmentation is primarily based on type, categorizing the market by the core protein source such as soy, pea, wheat, mycoprotein, and blended sources, analyzing the adoption, growth, and consumer preference for each. The report further segments the market by application, distinguishing between sales through retail channels, which includes supermarkets/hypermarkets, convenience stores, and online retail, and the foodservice channel, encompassing quick-service restaurants, full-service restaurants, and other hospitality venues. A critical component of the report is the regional segmentation, which provides an in-depth analysis of market dynamics, growth patterns, and competitive landscapes across key geographies including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. This multi-faceted segmentation allows stakeholders to identify specific growth pockets, understand regional consumer behavior, and tailor their strategies accordingly for maximum impact.

FAQs

What are plant-based burgers made of?

Plant-based burgers are crafted from a combination of plant-derived ingredients designed to replicate the taste, texture, and appearance of traditional beef burgers. Common protein bases include peas, soybeans, wheat gluten, mushrooms, and beans. These are combined with plant-based fats, such as coconut oil or cocoa butter, to mimic the juiciness and mouthfeel of animal fat. Binders like methylcellulose or food starch are used to hold the patty together, and natural flavors and colors, including beet juice extract for a "bleeding" effect, are added to achieve a meat-like sensory experience.

How do plant-based burgers compare to meat burgers?

Plant-based burgers are designed to offer a similar culinary experience to meat burgers in terms of taste, texture, and appearance. Nutritionally, they are often lower in saturated fat and cholesterol than beef burgers but can be comparable or even higher in sodium and calories depending on the brand and formulation. From an environmental perspective, their production generally requires significantly less water and land and generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional beef production, which is a key value proposition for many consumers.

What is driving the growth of the plant-based burger market?

The market growth is fueled by a powerful convergence of factors. Key drivers include rising consumer health consciousness, with individuals seeking to reduce red meat intake for wellness reasons. Growing concerns about the environmental sustainability of animal agriculture and animal welfare ethics are also major motivators. Furthermore, significant product innovation that has drastically improved taste and texture, coupled with aggressive marketing and widespread availability through major restaurant chains and retailers, has successfully moved plant-based burgers from a niche product into the mainstream.

Who are the major players in the plant-based burger market?

The market features a blend of pioneering startups and established food giants. Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods are the two most prominent innovators and category leaders. They compete with well-known brands from large corporations, including Kellogg's (MorningStar Farms), Conagra Brands (Gardein), Nestl? (Garden Gourmet), and Unilever (The Vegetarian Butcher). Traditional meat producers like Tyson Foods have also entered the market with their own plant-based offerings, intensifying competition and validating the category's long-term potential.

Where can I buy plant-based burgers?

Plant-based burgers are now widely accessible across numerous retail and foodservice channels. In retail, they are commonly found in the frozen food sections and increasingly in the refrigerated meat aisles of major supermarkets, hypermarkets, wholesale clubs, and natural food stores. They are also readily available for purchase through online grocery delivery services. For foodservice, they are featured on the menus of a vast array of establishments, from international quick-service restaurant chains like Burger King and McDonald's to local pubs, casual dining restaurants, and even some high-end culinary venues.

Citius Research has developed a research report titled “Plant-Based Burger Market Report - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth Trends, Regional Outlook, Competitive Strategies and Segment Forecasts 2024 - 2030” delivering key insights regarding business intelligence and providing concrete business strategies to clients in the form of a detailed syndicated report. The report details out the factors such as business environment, industry trend, growth opportunities, competition, pricing, global and regional market analysis, and other market related factors.

Details included in the report for the years 2024 through 2030

• Plant-Based Burger Market Potential
• Segment-wise breakup
• Compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) for the next 6 years
• Key customers and their preferences
• Market share of major players and their competitive strength
• Existing competition in the market
• Price trend analysis
• Key trend analysis
• Market entry strategies
• Market opportunity insights

The report focuses on the drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges in the market based on various factors geographically. Further, key players, major collaborations, merger & acquisitions along with trending innovation and business policies are reviewed in the report. The Plant-Based Burger Market report is segmented on the basis of various market segments and their analysis, both in terms of value and volume, for each region for the period under consideration.

Plant-Based Burger Market Segmentation

Regions Covered

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• MENA
• Asia Pacific
• Sub-Saharan Africa and
• Australasia

Plant-Based Burger Market Analysis

The report covers below mentioned analysis, but is not limited to:

• Overview of Plant-Based Burger Market
• Research Methodology
• Executive Summary
• Market Dynamics of Plant-Based Burger Market
  • Driving Factors
  • Restraints
  • Opportunities
• Global Market Status and Forecast by Segment A
• Global Market Status and Forecast by Segment B
• Global Market Status and Forecast by Segment C
• Global Market Status and Forecast by Regions
• Upstream and Downstream Market Analysis of Plant-Based Burger Market
• Cost and Gross Margin Analysis of Plant-Based Burger Market
• Plant-Based Burger Market Report - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth Trends, Regional Outlook, Competitive Strategies and Segment Forecasts 2024 - 2030
  • Competition Landscape
  • Market Share of Major Players
• Key Recommendations

The “Plant-Based Burger Market Report - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth Trends, Regional Outlook, Competitive Strategies and Segment Forecasts 2024 - 2030” report helps the clients to take business decisions and to understand strategies of major players in the industry. The report delivers the market driven results supported by a mix of primary and secondary research. The report provides the results triangulated through authentic sources and upon conducting thorough primary interviews with the industry experts. The report includes the results on the areas where the client can focus and create point of parity and develop a competitive edge, based on real-time data results.

Plant-Based Burger Market Key Stakeholders

Below are the key stakeholders for the Plant-Based Burger Market:

• Manufacturers
• Distributors/Traders/Wholesalers
• Material/Component Manufacturers
• Industry Associations
• Downstream vendors

Plant-Based Burger Market Report Scope

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

Like most other markets, the outbreak of COVID-19 had an unfavorable impact on the Plant-Based Burger Market worldwide. This report discusses in detail the disruptions experienced by the market, the impact on flow of raw materials, manufacturing operations, production trends, consumer demand and the projected future of this market post pandemic.

The report has helped our clients:

• To describe and forecast the Plant-Based Burger Market size, on the basis of various segmentations and geography, in terms of value and volume
• To measure the changing needs of customers/industries
• To provide detailed information regarding the drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges influencing the growth of the market
• To gain competitive intelligence and uncover new opportunities
• To analyse opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying high-growth segments in Plant-Based Burger Market
• To strategically profile key players and provide details of the current competitive landscape
• To analyse strategic approaches adopted by players in the market, such as product launches and developments, acquisitions, collaborations, contracts, expansions, and partnerships

Report Customization

Citius Research provides free customization of reports as per your need. This report can be personalized to meet your requirements. Get in touch with our sales team, who will guarantee you to get a report that suits your necessities.

Frequently Asked Questions