UK Vegan Cheese Market - Forecasts from 2022 to 2027

UK vegan cheese market was evaluated at US$7.571 billion in the year 2020.

Certain key determinative aspects are expected to drive and influence the trend of plant-based alternatives as well as vegan consumption. According to Public Health England, excess body weight is one of the leading causes of poor health in Britain. This is because most of the population is overweight, which is known to increase the risk of a plethora of chronic diseases that comprise type 2 diabetes, liver disease, cardiovascular diseases, and various cancers. In England, the proportion of adults living above a healthy weight is 63%, which constitutes 36% of adults overweight and 28% of adults with obesity. Two-thirds of men are living with overweight or obesity (67%), and 6 out of 10 women are living with overweight or obesity (60%). Further, the proportion of men living with obesity is 26%, and that of women is 29%. With more than 1 in 20 cancer cases caused by excess weight, obesity is the second biggest preventable cause of cancer in the UK. Each year, 20% of people in the UK see a doctor about a musculoskeletal problem (such as osteoarthritis). Moreover, 7 in 10 individuals who report living with a long-term musculoskeletal problem are either living with overweight or obesity. Overweight and obesity tend to increase with age, with the lowest prevalence among individuals between 16 and 24 years old.

Therefore, the realization of the need for averting such health issues and increased health consciousness of consumers is fueling the demand for food products that constitute a healthy ingredients. To this end, the pant-based alternative movement has gathered significant momentum across the UK. Moreover, allergen-free variants of traditional products (gluten-free & lactose-free) along with the aforesaid have permeated the ready-to-eat food products, which have been widely acknowledged by the rising number of single households. Thus, among a myriad of plant-based alternatives and vegan products, cheese too has undergone several developments.
By source, one of the most often-used sources in the creation of vegan cheese is almond milk cheese. Almond milk's naturally increased fat content provides the cheese with a smoother texture without an astringent flavour. The strong nutritional profile of almond milk has increased demand for it in the production of vegan cheese. Due to its low-calorie content, almond milk has drawn interest from people who are concerned about their health all around the world. Almond milk is widely endorsed by orthopaedics around the world for its calcium content, which has been shown to strengthen bones.

The parmesan section is predicted to hold a sizable share in terms of products during the projection period. Italian dishes including pasta, spaghetti, & macaroni frequently use vegan parmesan cheese. As a result, there is a growing demand for European cuisines and vegan parmesan cheese. Parmesan's demand is further increased by its strong flavour and gluten- and lactose-free composition when compared to dairy cheese. Additionally, it is anticipated that shortly, technological advancements and novel cheese-making methods that help produce high-quality cheese at a lower cost would present the profitable potential for market expansion.

Recent Developments and expansions

• Aldi U.K. introduced vegan cheese in January 2022 under the Plant Menu banner of the retailer. Gluten and soy are not present in this coconut oil-based product.
• In September 2020, it was reported that Domino's had launched two plant-based pizzas made from a hand-stretched vegan dough and a plant-based cheese that does not contain any dairy or animal-derived products. Besides, a vegan-friendly version of its popular garlic and herb dip was also introduced.
• In July 2020, dairy brand Norseland Ltd. of Applewood fame was reported to expand its dairy-free range with a spicy plant-based version of its popular cheese flavour. Similar to its predecessor, this new vegan version is devoid of soy, nuts, milk, lactose, gluten, and eggs.

COVID-19 Impact

Due to the enormous global interest in cooking at home, the COVID-19 epidemic has provided some relief to the market. In addition, since the pandemic, individuals have grown more health concerned. As a result, the demand for vegan food items has dramatically expanded during the past few years.

Segmentation

By Source

• Soy Milk
• Almond Milk
• Coconut Milk

By Product Type

• Mozzarella
• Parmesan
• Cheddar

By Distribution Channel

• Online
• Offline
• Hypermarkets