Europe’s plant protein market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.16% over the forecast period, increasing from US$4,345.286 million in 2025 to US$5,859.998 million by 2030.
Plant protein is a form of protein that is obtained from various types of plants. The sources of plant protein include beans, legumes, chickpeas, nuts, seeds, and pulses among many others. The growing regional cases of cardiovascular diseases are among the key factors propelling the growth of the plant protein in the region, during the forecasted timeline. The major factor propelling the growth of the European plant protein market is the increasing global demand for vegan or plant-based foods and beverage products. The rising cases of cardiovascular diseases in the European region are also expected to boost the growth of the market.
The British Heart Foundation, in its report, stated that in the UK, about 7.6 million individuals suffer from cardiovascular diseases, with about 4 million males and 3.6 million females. In the cases of CVD, various studies conducted across the globe stated that plant protein helps in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease. Plant protein helps in managing weight, and also improves the lipoprotein profile of the body.
The major factor propelling the plant protein market in the European region is the increasing demand for vegan or plant-based food and beverage products. The vegan population in the region witnessed a major growth in the past few years. The demand for vegan sources of protein in the European market also witnessed major growth, as with the decreasing consumer preference towards meat or animal sources of protein products.
The Good Food Institute Europe, in its report, stated that in 2023, the total demand for plant-based products in the retail sector was recorded at 41%. In the region, plant-based milk & drinks comprise 41% of the total plant-based food products sales, whereas plant-based meat consists of 36.8%.
In terms of the growth of the plant-based protein market in Europe, the soy segment is anticipated to grow particularly well. As consumers become increasingly health-conscious, they are developing a greater interest in plant-based diets that have been shown to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and diabetes. Soy protein, being rich in nutrition and versatile, has been a preferred option for those looking to adopt healthier diet options. Soy demand has further increased due to the increasing popularity of high-protein diets, thus becoming a key ingredient in most plant-based food products.
Additionally, increased soybean production is beneficial to the European plant protein market as it ensures a more abundant and cost-effective supply of soy-based proteins, such as soy protein isolate and concentrate. The increased production would help meet the growing consumer demand for plant-based products, including meat and dairy alternatives, as more people adopt plant-based diets or flexitarian lifestyles. The increased availability of affordable soy protein allows manufacturers to scale their operations, reduce product costs, and expand their offerings, all benefiting the market in general. The higher production of soybeans is also more aligned with the EU's sustainability goals since soy is a far greener alternative than animal-based protein. European Union, for instance, had a total soybean production of 2.61 million metric tons in 2022/23 as per the USDA.
Another key driver of the soy protein market includes the growth of veganism and flexitarian lifestyles across Europe. Lifestyle change trend that is indeed evident among younger generations such as Millennials and Gen Z members become more significant in driving the demand for plant-based food products. Improvements in food technology further enhance the taste and texture, and generally facilitate soy-based products to create attractiveness among consumers at a more appreciable level. As per CBI, France has the largest population of Gen Z in Europe. In 2023, there were 12.4 million Gen Z aged between 10 and 25, representing 18% of the total population.
Government support and corporate initiatives have also catered to the growth of the soy protein market. The European governments have been strict on policies and campaigns that facilitate sustainable and plant-based diets. At the same time, key food companies are diversifying their portfolios by introducing plant-based product lines to facilitate increased consumer demand. The cost-effectiveness factor further makes soy protein a valued source of plant-based proteins among manufacturers.
| Report Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Study Period | 2021 to 2031 |
| Historical Data | 2021 to 2024 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026 – 2031 |
| Report Metric | Details |
| Europe Plant Protein Market Size in 2025 | US$4,345.286 million |
| Europe Plant Protein Market Size in 2030 | US$5,859.998 million |
| Growth Rate | CAGR of 6.16% |
| Study Period | 2020 to 2030 |
| Historical Data | 2020 to 2023 |
| Base Year | 2024 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 – 2030 |
| Forecast Unit (Value) | USD Million |
| Segmentation |
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| Geographical Segmentation | UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Poland, The Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Others |
| List of Major Companies in the Europe Plant Protein Market |
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| Customization Scope | Free report customization with purchase |