📊Accelerating Popularity

2021

There has been a steady rise in Google trends around the term "plant-based" - interest is 4x more today [2021] than it was 5 years ago https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=today%205-y&q=plant-based

Israel became the first country to outlaw fur in fashion, in 2021 https://www.npr.org/2021/06/14/1006279660/israel-has-become-the-first-country-to-ban-the-sale-of-fur-clothing

US outlawed shark fin in 2021. Now, the acts of "shark finning" (catching them and cutting their fins off), possessing shark fins, and buying or selling shark fins are all illegal. https://vegnews.com/2021/6/us-senate-ban-on-shark-fin-sales

In 2021, plant-based shake Soylent outpaced dairy-based protein shakes in US grocery. Soylent grew by 57.4% that year whereas "the general protein shake category" only grew 21%. https://impact.soylent.com/

2020

Veganism is a philosophical belief protected by law in the UK as of 2020-01-03 "Ethical veganism is philosophical belief, tribunal rules [...] "Religion or belief" is one of nine "protected characteristics" covered by the Equality Act 2010. [...] The judge Robin Postle ruled that ethical veganism qualifies as a philosophical belief under the Equality Act 2010 by satisfying several tests - including that it is worthy of respect in a democratic society, not incompatible with human dignity and not conflicting with the fundamental rights of others. [...] Employers will have to respect ethical veganism and make sure they do not discriminate against employees for their beliefs." https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-50981359

Veganism hit an all-time high of popularity in 2020 around the world https://vegnews.com/2020/9/interest-in-veganism-hits-all-time-high-in-2020-google-trends-report-shows

Tesco promised to increase its selection of plant-based foods by 300% in 2020, compared to 2018 "The UK market for meat alternatives could be worth more than £1.1bn by 2024, according to analyst firm Mintel" https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54338754

Impossible Burger started with being available at fewer than 150 grocery stores. In 2018, within 6 months their sales increases 77 times. Their products are now available at 11,000 retail locations in all 50 states in the US. https://cleantechnica.com/2020/09/20/impossible-burger-sales-replace-72-of-traditional-burger-sales/

2019

"Germany produced less meat last year [2019], while demand for vegan products soared." https://www.dw.com/en/germany-produced-less-meat-more-vegan-alternatives-in-2020/a-57527678

2017

Demand for vegan and vegetarian food increased by 987% in 2017, in Britain https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/2017-ridiculous-987-increase-demand-meat-free-options/

Veganism increased by 600% from 2014 to 2017 in the US https://www.forbes.com/sites/janetforgrieve/2018/11/02/picturing-a-kindler-gentler-world-vegan-month/?sh=cf54862f2bbd