The meat substitute market - France

The global market for meat substitutes has experienced significant growth, with forecasts predicting a cumulative annual growth rate of 7% , elevating the market value from €4.6 billion to €6.5 billion. Countries like Germany and the United States lead in vegan product launches, with France showing a strong potential due to its high number of flexitarians.

The French national market for vegetable meat has also seen steady growth, with the processing and preservation market reaching a value of 4.1 billion euros. Traditional vegetarian brands like Sojasun and Cereal are contending with newly entering industrial players and private labels such as Herta, which has quickly captured a substantial market share with offerings like the 100% vegetarian Knacki range.

The penetration of plant-based products in supermarkets and restaurants is increasing, driven by consumer demands for health benefits, ethical considerations regarding animal welfare, and environmental concerns. Advances in meat substitutes have led to products that increasingly resemble the taste and texture of animal meat, with Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat distinguishing themselves in the "3rd generation" category of meat alternatives.

However, competition is intensifying among distribution channels and players within those channels to source the best vegetarian meat products as the market's potential escalates.

A Comprehensive Insight into the Rising Shift Towards Meat Alternatives

Over recent years, the country has witnessed a palpable shift towards meat alternatives, accentuated by changing dietary preferences and a growing consciousness around health, environment, and ethical considerations. Notably, there has been a steady climb in the number of flexitarians – individuals who are predominantly vegetarian but occasionally consume meat – which now ranges between 30% and 35%. Vegetarians consist of around 5% of the population, while the vegan community remains relatively small, at less than 1%.

The market for meat substitutes, particularly driven by environmental concerns and ethical reasons surrounding animal welfare, is on an incline. The prevailing sentiment echoes a desire to mitigate the negative externalities posed by traditional animal farming, which is underscored by figures indicating a dip in per capita meat consumption. In this regard, it is estimated that consumption has waned by nearly 1% over a year, with specific segments like fresh and frozen meat witnessing declines between 1.5% and 7%.

Consumer demand also appears to be more discerning, with an increasing number of individuals – reported to be nearly half the consumer base – prepared to integrate hybrid meats or products solely relying on plant proteins into their diets. This burgeoning interest is reflected in the gradual augmentation of products containing vegetable proteins, which have witnessed an approximate eighteenfold increase over the last three decades. This uptrend is further evident within retail settings, where metrics such as the average annual budget dedicated to plant-based products, and their penetration rates in supermarkets and hypermarkets, have been rising.

The frequency of purchase of these products has also seen an incremental rise. Private labels in the retail sector have captured a substantial portion of the market share, sitting at around 24%, by extending their offerings to encompass vegetarian meat products. While traditional meat consumption is not anticipated to fade completely, it is clear that the palette of the consumer is expanding, displaying an inclination towards alternatives that offer a semblance of meat both in taste and texture.

With a landscape brimming with potential and estimated to balloon to an astonishing $140 billion worldwide by 2029, the market for meat alternatives is set for profound growth as it continues to cater to and stimulate the evolving tastes of a health-conscious, environmentally aware, and ethically driven populace.

Prominent Contenders in the Plant-Based Meat Arena: Innovators and Traditional Giants

The burgeoning plant-based meat industry has seen a wave of innovation that's been matched with enthusiasm from both niche startups and established food industry behemoths. As the market continues to grow, a diverse array of players compete for their share of the meatless pie.

Here’s a closer look at some of the main players shaping this dynamic sector.

• Impossible Foods - Leading the Plant-Based Revolution with the Impossible Whopper. At the forefront of plant-based innovation is California-based Impossible Foods. This startup has captured widespread attention with its eponymous "Impossible Burger," a plant-based burger that's become a sensation for its meat-like taste and texture. The brand catapulted into the mainstream when fast-food giant Burger King added the "Impossible Whopper" to its menu, showcasing the potential for plant-based options in fast food.
  
  
• Beyond Meat - Pioneering plant proteins in fast casual dining equally influential is Beyond Meat, another Californian innovator. Known for its strikingly meat-like products, Beyond Meat has challenged perceptions of plant-based meats with its flagship "Beyond Burger." The company has leveraged partnerships with restaurant chains, including KFC and the Parisian chain Buffalo Grill, to bring plant-based options to a wider audience.
  
  
• Herta - A Nestlé Brand taking a big bite of the vegetarian market. Another key player is Herta, a brand under the Nestlé umbrella. With a strong presence in the European market, Herta has made a name for itself by expanding its "Knacki" range to include a 100% vegetarian recipe. They've thoroughly embraced the flexitarian trend, targeting consumers seeking meat alternatives that don’t compromise on taste or texture.
  
  
• Triballat-Noyal (Sojasun) - Soy innovators and long-time vegetarian advocates Triballat-Noyal, through its brand Sojasun, has been an early and influential promoter of soy-based products. Beginning with soy milk, they have expanded their range to include tofu and a variety of soy-based meat substitutes. Sojasun has continued to innovate, offering 2nd and 3rd generation plant-based meats to accommodate the growing market.
  
  
• Céréale - Early pioneers transitioning into new markets, Céréale has held a pioneering status in the plant-based food market, starting with vegetarian staples and moving into more advanced meat substitutes that replicate traditional meat forms. 

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : 30 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 08/11/2020

Summary and extracts

List of charts

• Taille du marché mondial des alternatives à la viande
• Pays avec la plus grande proportion de lancements de produits végans
• Taille du marché de la transformation et conservation de légumes
• Évolution du nombre de produits contenant des protéines végétales
• Consommation de viande par habitant
• Budget annuel moyen consacré au végétal en GMS
• Penetration rate of vegetable meat in super-and hypermarkets
• Fréquence d'achat dans le végétal en GMS
• Les produits contenant le plus de protéines selon les Français
• Répartition du rayon du traiteur végétal
• Répartition du marché de la viande