Plant-based food in Finland - statistics & facts
Plant-based alternatives are not only finding more and more of their way into grocery stores, but also making their way into Finnish shopping baskets. A plant-based diet consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices and excludes all animal products such as red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products. While the majority of Finns do not follow a particular diet, 16 percent are on a lactose-free diet, avoiding products containing lactose, such as milk or cheese.
On a global scale, the plant-based food market is expected to reach 161.9 billion U.S. dollars by 2030, indicating a global transition from animal-based foods to plant-based diets. This shift varies in its speed in different regions. The Nordic countries are experiencing growth in both the milk substitutes and meat substitutes segments .
Finland is no exception to the trend of a growing plant-based food market, with more companies and start-ups entering this sector. Nevertheless, it is not foreseeable whether the dietary habits of Finns will change in the near future.
Dairy and meat alternatives
While tofu and soy milk have been around in Finland’s grocery markets for a while, plant-based food products have diversified, ranging from vegan burgers, sausages to cheese and various milk alternatives. Many plant-based foods aim to replicate the taste and texture of animal products, targeting average meat-eating consumers. While the share of dairy consumers stayed at around 20 percent over the past two years, the revenue of the Finnish milk substitutes increased and is forecast to reach 66.76 million euros and therefore a new peak in 2029. The same expected increase can be observed for the meat substitutes industry in Finland. The share of meat alternatives consumers stayed at around 14 percent.New alternatives for a growing market
The Finnish startup Solar Foods gained worldwide recognition in 2023, due to its new approach to producing meat alternatives. While most companies in this sector use a plant-based base for their meat substitutes, Solar Foods uses carbon dioxide and bacteria. The final product is a yellow powder called Solein. According to the company, it consists of up to 70 percent protein, which makes it an alternative to meat and can be used to produce other foods, such as ice cream, pasta, or bread. However, Solar Foods recorded a significant operating loss of 6.8 million euros in 2023, and, as of 2024, Solein is not approved by the European Union, but can be sold in Singapore since 2023.On a global scale, the plant-based food market is expected to reach 161.9 billion U.S. dollars by 2030, indicating a global transition from animal-based foods to plant-based diets. This shift varies in its speed in different regions. The Nordic countries are experiencing growth in both the milk substitutes and meat substitutes segments .
Finland is no exception to the trend of a growing plant-based food market, with more companies and start-ups entering this sector. Nevertheless, it is not foreseeable whether the dietary habits of Finns will change in the near future.
