"Choosing Alternative Foods for Health Considerations... Desire for Improved Taste and Texture"

Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation Food Industry Statistics Information System
Survey of Alternative Food Purchasers
Rapid Market Growth Driven by Importance of Eco-Friendliness

As the food industry focuses on eco-friendliness and sustainability, consumers are shown to choose related products by considering whether they are beneficial to health as well as taste and texture.

According to the Food Industry Statistical Information System (FIS) of the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) on the 17th, a survey was conducted on 200 adult men and women aged 20 to 59 nationwide who have experience purchasing alternative foods. The results showed that 54% of respondents cited "health benefits including dieting" as a factor they consider when purchasing alternative foods. This was followed by "similarity to actual food and taste" (47.5%), "hygiene and safety" (45.5%), "affordability" (42%), and "environmental friendliness" (33.5%).

The most commonly purchased alternative foods were dairy-related products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt substitutes at 61.5%, followed by plant-based protein meat substitutes at 53.5%. This is interpreted as a result of relatively familiar products in the consumer market such as soy milk and soy meat being chosen frequently. Regarding demands for alternative foods, the majority opinion (64%) was that "taste" needs improvement. This was followed by texture (47%) and price (46.5%) at similar levels, ranking second and third respectively. The relatively low proportion of other responses such as nutrients, origin, aroma, and food safety indicates that consumers respond sensitively to consumption experience and price.

Among consumers with experience purchasing alternative foods, 84.5% answered that they intend to maintain or increase their consumption in the future, confirming high satisfaction among experienced consumers.

In the global market, alternative foods are rapidly expanding their presence. According to market research firms such as MarketsandMarkets, the global market size for plant-based meat products was $7.9 billion (approximately 10 trillion KRW) last year, growing at an average annual rate of 14.7%, and is expected to reach $14.7 billion (approximately 20 trillion KRW) by 2027. During the same period, the plant-based dairy market is projected to grow from $26 billion (approximately 35 trillion KRW) to $67.2 billion (approximately 90 trillion KRW).

Domestic food companies are also strengthening their businesses with their own brands in line with this trend. Lotte Wellfood's protein-based plant meat brand "Ennature Zero Meat," launched in 2019, is a representative example. CJ CheilJedang also launched the plant-based food specialty brand "Plantable" in 2021 and sells plant-based dumpling products domestically and overseas. Pulmuone Foods introduced the sustainable food brand "Jigu Sikdan" in August last year, promoting animal-based alternative foods such as direct-fire bulgogi and plant-based nutritional foods including tofu noodles, achieving sales of 43 billion KRW over one year.

In addition, Shinsegae Food entered the related market with its independently developed alternative meat brand "Better Meat" in 2021, and last month launched the plant-based alternative food brand "You Are What You Eat," expressing its ambition to lead the plant-based ready meal (PMR) market following existing home meal replacements (HMR) and restaurant meal replacements (RMR).

The FIS stated, "Along with the global food crisis, the importance of health interest and sustainability is emerging, and food tech development is driving the growth of the alternative food market," adding, "The launch of products combining the advantages of each type of alternative food through quality improvement and product diversification is expected to expand."