Tesco Reports Growth in Plant-Based Sales, Driven by Veg-Led Cooking Trend

Tesco has reported growth in plant-based sales in the UK, with chilled plant-based products seeing a return to growth for the first time in several years. This growth is driven by a shift towards health-conscious "scratch cooking" and minimally processed ingredients, with consumers favoring high-protein, whole-food staples over ready-made meat alternatives. Demand for plant-based mince, proteins like tofu, tempeh, and seitan, as well as plant-based snacks, has been steadily increasing.

Tesco's plant-based food buyer, Bethan Jones, notes that the sector is entering a more "grounded" phase where vegetables and plant proteins are becoming a fundamental part of long-term dietary habits. This shift from a passing trend to lasting dietary change is attributed to a growing focus on whole-food plant proteins like beans, lentils, chickpeas, tofu, and whole grains. Brands like Gosh! and The Vegan Society have also reported growth in natural products and welcomed the figures as a sign of sustained health for the plant-based category.