METHODS: Nielsen analyzed data in several categories over a 52-week period ending August 12, 2017. The data scans all outlets (Nielsen’s “Expanded All Outlets Combined Channel”), which include grocery stores, drug stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, dollar stores, and military stores, plus Whole Foods. The data represents foods that replace animal products, including meat, seafood, eggs, and dairy, as well as meals that contain such replacements. (Thanks to the Good Food Institute for collaborating on this project.)

Plant based foods salesgrew 8.1 percent in one year

Topping $3.1 billion in revenue

Growth compared to a decline of 0.2 percentfor all foods sold in same channels

Plant Based Food Categories

Milk Alternatives(comprises 9.3% of total milk category)

Sales: $1.5 billionGrowth rate: 3.1%

Meat Substitutes(comprises 2% of entire meat category)

Sales: $555 millionGrowth rate: 6.1%

MealsSales: $169 millionGrowth rate: 18.3%

Other Dairy Alternatives(yogurt, cheeses, ice cream, etc.)

Sales: $727 million Growth rate: 19.8%

Tofu and TempehSales: $99 millionGrowth rate: 2.6%

Egg Substitutes and MayoSales: $37 millionGrowth rate: 12.6%

Nielsen Retail Sales Datafor Plant Based Foods

plantbasedfoods.org