Analysis: Private-Label Products Are Driving Plant-Based Retail Sales Growth in Four European Countries

Private-label products have driven growth in plant-based retail sales volumes across France, Germany, Italy, and Spain from 2022 to 2024, according to an analysis by GFI Europe. Cheaper private-label options led to increased sales volumes in these countries, with Germany experiencing a 41.4% growth in private-label product sales and a 8.3% decrease in branded products. Similarly, France, Italy, and Spain also saw growth in private-label sales, contributing to an overall expansion in the plant-based market across various categories.

However, the Netherlands and the UK saw a decline in plant-based sales overall, with plant-based meat options showing more resilience in these markets. Branded products were found to drive smaller categories such as plant-based cheese and seafood in some countries, indicating that taste and perceived quality are important factors for consumers. GFI Europe stresses the importance of improving taste and bringing down prices to tap into a broader market for sustainable and healthy plant-based foods, emphasizing the opportunity for companies to develop tastier, nutritious, and affordable products that can cater to consumers' lifestyles.