"Meat vs. Plant": Who won the trends clash in 2025?
Consumers appear to have cast their vote on taste, price, and nutrition, putting past promises to the test after years of hype.
The undisputed Food & Beverage champion of this informal 2025 duel is... meat. "Animal-based" food and drink products have seen a marked resurgence in interest. While global sales of plant-based products continue to rise (posting an 8.5% CAGR), their momentum is decelerating, hampered by falling investment, uneven regional performance, and persistent barriers regarding price and the perception of heavy processing.
Concurrently, animal-based products are enjoying a revival driven by taste, value for money, familiarity, and shifting consumer expectations, as highlighted by FoodNavigator Europe. High-protein, minimally processed animal foods are aligning with emerging wellness narratives—particularly amidst the boom in GLP-1 treatments, which are reinforcing consumer interest in nutrient density.
Market data further indicates a decline in interest for plant-based meat "imitations" in favor of so-called "whole" foods, including traditional meat and dairy. Inflation within the plant-based alternative sector has only widened the price gap, exacerbating this shift.
Taken together, these trends reflect a significant market recalibration, reasserting the dominance of animal-based products in both consumer choices and industry debate.
