Plant-Based Chicken Market: Current Analysis and Forecast (2022-2028)

Plant-Based Chicken is a food product created to imitate the taste and texture of chicken, to prevent the killing of chickens for food. A culinary product called "plant-based chicken" aims to replicate the flavor and texture of real chicken. Typically, soy, wheat, or vegetable protein is used to make plant-based chicken, which is then formed into patties, nuggets, or roasts. Foods like plant-based chicken are typically regarded as healthier alternatives to meat since they have lower amounts of saturated fat and higher levels of fiber. Most significantly, selecting a plant-based diet as an alternative to meat is a humane one. Every time you eat one, you contribute to improvements in animal welfare.

The Plant-Based Chicken Market is expected to grow at a significant rate of around 7.6% owing to the increasing health & wellness coupled with animal welfare. Major companies in the market are collaborating with other players to increase the demand for plant-based chicken products. For instance, in Jan 2022, KFC launched plant-based fried chicken made with Beyond Meat nationwide. To create a meat substitute that mimicked the taste and texture of whole-muscle chicken, like chicken breast, rather than the ground-up consistency of nuggets.

Based on type, the market is segmented into nuggets, tenders, strips, burgers & popcorn, and others. The nuggets category is to dominate the market during the forecast period. This is owing to the increasing popularity of plant-based diets as they are tasty and convenient alternatives to meat. Also, concerns about animal welfare and the environmental impact of meat production are further adding to the growth of the plant-based chicken nugget market. Moreover, many major players are launching products to increase their product portfolio. For instance, in Nov 2022, Beyond Meat launched 2 New Vegan Chicken Products i.e vegan popcorn chicken and chicken nuggets made with a base of faba beans and other plant proteins.

Based on distribution channel, the market is categorized into online stores, and retail stores (hypermarkets/ supermarkets, convenience stores, specialty food stores, and others). Among these, the hypermarkets/ supermarkets are expected to grow with a significant CAGR during the forecast period. This is mainly owing to having dedicated sections or shelves for plant-based products, making it easier for consumers to find and purchase these items. In addition, some supermarkets are even creating their brand of plant-based products, which can often be more affordable than branded products. Furthermore, more people are becoming aware of the health and environmental benefits of plant-based diets, it is likely that supermarkets and hypermarkets will continue to expand their plant-based offerings to meet the demand of consumers.

For a better understanding of the market adoption of the Plant-Based Chicken industry, the market is analyzed based on its worldwide presence in the countries such as North America (U.S., Canada, Rest of North America), Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Rest of World. APAC is anticipated to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period. This is mainly due to the increasing awareness of the health and environmental benefits of plant-based diets, as well as growing concerns about food safety and animal welfare. In addition, APAC is home to some of the world's largest meat-consuming countries, including China and India, where concerns about the environmental impact of meat production and the spread of zoonotic diseases have led to a growing consumption of plant-based chicken alternatives. Many companies in the market offer plant-based chicken across various industries. For instance, in Dec 2022, Another Foods launched India's First Plant-Based Food-Service-Ready Chicken. It is specifically for food service to support the demands across the hospitality and restaurant industries.

Some of the major players operating in the market include: Beyond Meat; Impossible Foods Inc.; Tofurky; Gardein (Conagra, Inc.); Kellogg NA Co.; Lightlife Foods, Inc (Maple Leaf Foods); BlueTribe; Imagine Foods Pvt. Ltd; FIRST PRIDE (Tyson Foods, Inc); Tata Simply Better.