Plant-based food sales in the UK have moved back into growth, new data from retail analyst Nielsen shows. Industry experts say fresh momentum in the sector is now more “grounded” and reflects growing consumer awareness of a need for lasting dietary change. 

Volume demand for chilled plant-based food grew by just under 1 per cent across UK supermarkets in the last year and has increased to 1.7 per cent in the last 12 weeks. (Nielsen Dec 28 2025).

The trend for natural plant-based foods is being noticed at Tesco which says shoppers are being more selective and looking for health benefits in the foods they buy.

And that trend has led to increased demand for high protein ingredients such as tofu and tempeh at Tesco which have seen growth of more than 10 per cent in the last year.

Tesco plant-based food buyer Bethan Jones said: “We are beginning to see the green shoots of recovery across the UK’s plant-based food sector, as a growing number of shoppers place long-term health and wellbeing at the centre of their food choices.

“Increasingly, the inclusion of vegetables and plant foods is being seen not as a passing preference, but as a fundamental part of how people expect to eat in the future.

“The plant-based movement emerged as the fastest-growing food trend of the late 20th century, fuelled by demand for meat alternatives and a heightened awareness of sustainability. However, economic pressures and the fading novelty of early experimentation among casual consumers meant that this rapid growth was difficult to maintain.

“Now, momentum is returning in a more grounded form. A growing micro-trend focused on whole-food plant proteins — including beans, lentils, chickpeas, tofu and wholegrains — is helping to drive renewed sales, signalling a shift from short-term trend to lasting dietary change.”

The Vegan Society CEO, Libby Peppiatt, welcomed the news, saying:

“These figures are positive and show that veganism is in good health. Whether consumers are driven by animal welfare, dietary, environmental or simply cost of living concerns, a vegan or plant-based lifestyle is an all-round win.”