Tesco Says 300 Percent Plant-Based Meat Sales Target Now ‘Highly Unlikely’

Tesco has stated that its target of a 300 percent increase in plant-based meat sales is now "highly unlikely" due to changing attitudes towards processed foods. The supermarket chain noted a slowdown in the sale of meat alternatives and highlighted a shift towards whole foods like beans, legumes, nuts, and tofu as consumers seek protein diversity. Tesco's 2025 Sustainability Report revealed a growing demand for vegetable-led dishes, where vegetables are the main focus rather than meat substitutes.

Despite the decline in plant-based meat sales, vegetable-led plant-based foods now represent 40 percent of all plant-based sales at Tesco. The company reported selling an additional 600,000 vegetable-led dishes this year and remains committed to tracking yearly plant-based protein sales. Products focused on whole, plant-based ingredients are becoming a consumer trend, as seen with the launch of new items like the "Veg'chop" and Beyond Steak pieces in Tesco stores across the UK.