Share of vegans in Italy 2023, by age group

During a survey carried out between January and December 2023, approximately six percent of Italians aged between 18 and 19 said they were following a vegan diet. The share of vegans among respondents aged between 40 and 49 was at two percent.

Veganism in Italy

Veganism refers to the practice of removing food and drink products derived wholly or partly from animals from one’s diet. The main reasons for becoming vegetarian or vegan in Italy are life philosophies, health concerns, and respect for the animals. Comparing the share of vegans in Italy by gender shows that women and men were as likely to be vegan.

The market for meat substitutes in Italy

While meat has traditionally been an essential part of Italian cuisine, plant-based meat substitutes are becoming increasingly popular. Nearly 4.6 million euros of organic meat substitutes in Italy are sold annually. Almost 3.8 million euros of those are generated from deli meat substitutes. The major distribution channel for plant-based food were supermarkets and hypermarkets.