Plant-Based Food Trends in Europe

In an increasingly sustainability-conscious world, with a growing concern for health and animal welfare, plant-based food has experienced remarkable growth in Europe, particularly in Spain. This shift in consumer habits has created significant market opportunities, leading more and more companies to develop their own plant-based products. Our vegan product factory based in Tudela (Navarra) is at the forefront of this trend, and thanks to its substantial industrial capacity for manufacturing plant-based solutions, we can successfully undertake any plant-based food project.

What do consumers of Plant-Based products seek?

When developing a Plant-Based product, it is vital to understand what consumers look for when they consume vegan food and find the best solutions to meet their needs. Here are the three trends that will shape the future of plant-based foods based on consumer demand:

• Improvement of Original Plant-Based Products: Due to the rapid evolution of the plant-based market, consumers believe it’s time to optimize existing products rather than introducing entirely new ones.

60% of consumers agree that they would like to see improved recipes for original plant-based products instead of just new product launches. – Innova Market Insights

• Exploration: Consumers are naturally curious and seek to explore different market options until they find the ones that best suit their needs.
• Values: A significant portion of consumers believe that their food and beverage choices reflect their values and beliefs. For this reason, it is essential to understand what motivates them to consume vegan food. According to the report “The Green Revolution” conducted by Lantern, 60% do it for health reasons, 34% for animal welfare, and 26% for sustainability reasons.

Technological Innovations in Plant-Based Food

Technological innovations in plant-based foods have been crucial in meeting the growing demand and changing preferences of consumers. High Moisture Extrusion (HME), also known as HMMA extrusion when applied to meat analogs, is a technique for processing plant-based protein, has played a key role in creating innovative plant-based products, and is undoubtedly one of the booming technologies.

Thanks to High Moisture Extrusion, it is possible to transform raw plant materials into products with a texture very similar to that of animal-derived foods. Furthermore, when combined with other technologies like aeration, it can achieve even more results closely resembling poultry or even whitefish. Undoubtedly, HMMA extrusion is one of the most revolutionary within the industry currently. Click here to see our products manufactured with HMMA extrusion.

Plant-based food has evolved from being a mere trend to becoming a driving force in the international food industry. Nowadays, companies have the opportunity to capitalize on this growth and meet the needs of consumers concerned about their health and the environment.

Collaborating with companies like Alimentos Sanygran, which is a plant-based ingredient supplier and specializes in plant-based proteins, will enable any partner to strategically position themselves in the plant-based food market. Seize this opportunity to make a difference and become part of the sustainable and ethical future of the food industry. Contact us!