France plant protein market is poised for rapid growth in the coming years making it one of the fastest-growing markets in the European Union. Over the past few years, the country has seen a growing demand for plant protein owing to the food transition among French consumers towards a vegan diet. Although the vegetarian and vegan population is still low, the trend has resulted in an increased number of flexitarians who are majorly driving the market. Growing intolerances towards animal sources and consciousness among consumers for a healthy, sustainable, and ethical lifestyle is also driving the meat analogue market.  

Moreover, there has been a great emphasis from the government to promote a sober diet including more vegetables and pulses in the French diet habits and rebalance the protein intake from animal and plant sources. The government is also encouraging the domestic production of plant protein sources to attain self-sufficiency in the domestic protein requirements. Although there is a surplus for protein crops including field beans and peas in the French market, around 40% demand for pulses (beans, lentils) is met through imports from the developing countries. The growing demand for plant protein in France due to agroecological and nutritional transition has made it mandatory to direct efforts towards attaining autonomy in the protein sector. 

The pandemic situation has also resulted in consumers more conscious about quality and healthy food products. Plant-based dairy and nutrition products recorded high sales in the first two quarters of 2021 owing to the increased demand for healthy food products for eating at home. Lockdown situations also resulted in pantry loading by consumers contributing to augmented sales of products during this period. 

Plant protein products are increasingly attaining more shelf space in the French retail chains. Several manufacturers are investing in developing and innovating plant protein products to capture share in this promising market.  

Major food manufacturers such as Nestle (Garden Gourmet) and Unilever (The Vegetarian Butcher) are increasingly investing in the plant protein segment and in innovative start-ups in the segment to acquire more consumers. Targeting the large vegan, vegetarian and flexitarian consumers in France, it is expected that this category of the French population to grow rapidly and create a large business opportunity.  Historical players such as Nutrition & Santé and Triballat Bjorg need to gear up their offerings to sustain their market share and survive midst the high competition faced from new players and foreign startups.  

Meat alternative food chains such as Beyond Burger and Food for Tomorrow accelerated their international expansion to enter the French market in the year 2020. Beyond Meat collaborated with one of the largest retailers in the country to expand the availability of Beyond Burger across 500 supermarkets in France including Casino Supermarchés, Géant, Monoprix, and Franprix. Similarly, Foods for Tomorrow launched its plant-based meat substitute Heura in the Franprix supermarkets.