India Plant-Based Food Products Market Research Report: Forecast (2025-2030)

Market Definition

Plant-based food is a final product made from materials derived from plants, such as whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. The market for plant-based foods comprises food items devoid of elements of animal origin, either during processing or as part of the finished product. These products act as alternatives to animal-derived food items.

Market Insights & Analysis: India Plant-Based Food Products Market (2025-30):

The India Plant-Based Food Products Market size is valued at around USD 4.9 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 21.87 million by 2030. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 34.87% during the forecast period, i.e., 2025-30. The market is predominantly propelled by a variety of consumer groups such as urban & middle-class consumers, millennials & other young populations, health-conscious and ethical buyers, protein-deficient consumers, and non-vegetarians & 'guilty' meat eaters, among others, posing the demand for plant-based food products.

Another factor backing the popularity of Plant-based food products is the Western influence, which doesn’t necessarily facilitate convenience to consumers in India. With the extensive availability of numerous sustainable and delicious vegetarian sources of protein, people are a bit hesitant to switch to a non-vegetarian diet, which in turn has led to the adoption of more plant-based food products in India.

Moreover, the growing lactose-intolerant population has again led to a substantial shift from animal-derived dairy products to plant-based ones, making the market traverse an upward trajectory in the coming years. Plant-based milk is gaining immense popularity among the youth, particularly almond and oat milk. Besides, the intensifying tendency to opt for cruelty-free products has also strengthened the market expansion in the historical period.

India Plant-Based Food Products Market Scope:

India Plant-Based Food Products Market Driver:

Increasing Vegan Population – With a significant portion of the country turning vegan, the demand for plant-based foods has escalated in the past few years. Due to their rich fiber and lesser cholesterol content, vegan food products are emerging as a better and healthier substitute for animal-based food products across the country. For instance, about 125 million Indians have adopted a strict vegan diet, contributing to the significant market growth & expansion. The popularity has been influenced by the trends in developed countries, such as the US, France, the United Kingdom, etc.

Additionally, the religious customs and ethical considerations have influenced vegetarianism in India for ages, which accounts for more than 40% of the Indian population as vegetarians, which further increased the demand for plant-based foods in the country.

India Plant-Based Food Products Market Opportunity:

Favorable Government Policies – The active support of the Indian government through various initiatives in promoting healthier, sustainable, and plant-based food products is offering ample growth opportunities in this market. For instance, in 2020, BioE3 Policy supported the manufacturing of plant-based products, including plant-based proteins, to achieve sustainability. Additionally, the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) introduced mandatory labelling for plant-based products to ensure the safety and authenticity of these food products.

Moreover, the support to cultivate important crops like millets, which are healthy and follow the trend of vegan diets, thus increasing the market demand. For instance, in 2023, the Indian government announced that year as the “year of millets” to encourage its cultivation, as these are a rich source of nutrients over rice and wheat. These factors are creating potential growth opportunities for this market to substantially grow further.

India Plant-Based Food Products Market Challenge:

High Costs & Disruptions in Cold Chain Management– The market growth is hindered by the high costs of production due to the utilization of advanced processing methods and expensive ingredients. Additionally, India is largely dependent on international markets for many ingredients, such as soy protein, increasing the final costs for these products. Also, the sustainable packaging material is increasing the overall cumulative costs of these products, resulting in a financial barrier in front of the budget-constrained population and small-scale enterprises, restricting customers' adoption, thus hindering the market growth & further expansion.

Moreover, the limited cold storage infrastructure leads to supply chain fragmentation, which spoils the overall product quality, causes delivery delays, and inconsistent product availability in the country. It also hinders the consistent supply in remote and rural areas, leading to restricted growth of the market.

India Plant-Based Food Products Market Trend:

Integration with Traditional Cuisines – The market landscape & dynamics are changing due to the incorporation of plant-based ingredients in various traditional cuisines to make innovative food products. These are healthier, tastier, and more sustainable to meet the growing need for regulatory standards. Several food services, like Continental GreenBird, PFC Foods, the Fatty BAO, Sushi Café, Foo, and many more, have adopted these innovations in their cuisines to offer luxurious and unique food to their customers in India. For instance, various restaurants like the Fatty BOO, Foo, etc., in Mumbai are offering plant-based vegetarian sushi to their customers, which recently gained popularity in Indian restaurants. Similarly, the Continental GreenBird company introduced plant-based kebabs and Keemas made from chickpea and pea protein to promote plant-based diets in the country. These kinds of trends are actively reshaping the market growth trajectory.

India Plant-Based Food Products Market (2025-30): Segmentation Analysis

The India Plant-Based Food Products Market study of MarkNtel Advisors evaluates & highlights the major trends and influencing factors in each segment. It includes predictions for the period 2025–2030 at the national level. Based on the analysis, the market has been further classified as:

Based on Product Type:

• Plant-Based Meat
  • Burger Patties
  • Sausage
  • Textured Vegetable Protein
  • Tofu
  • Seitan
  • Others (Nuggets, Meatballs, etc.)
• Plant-Based Dairy
  • Milk
  • Cheese
  • Yogurt
  • Others (Cream, Condensed milk, etc.)
• Plant-Based Bakery
• Plant-Based Confectionery 
• Others 

Among these, the plant-based meat segment holds the largest market share of more than 27%. It principally owes to the enormous vegetarian population, which is highly receptive to this trending product category. In response to this, the market behemoths have started including Plant-Based Meats like burger patties, tofu, sausage, and textured vegetable protein to satiate the mounting demands across the country. Developed countries like the United States seek opportunities in consumer-oriented products as well as raw materials to aid domestic manufacturers.

Moreover, the GOI plans to back the plant-based meat business dynamics through the creation of two new research institutes for cell-based meat at the Institute of Chemical Technologies (Mumbai) and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, and the National Research Centre on Meat, with investments by the Indian Department of Biotechnology to encourage research and development of laboratory-grown foods or cultivated meat.

Based on Sales Channel:

• Business-to-Business
• Business-to-Consumer
  • Hypermarkets 
  • Online Channels 
  • Convenience Stores

Out of these, the business-to-consumer segment is leading in the market, accounting for more than 60% market share. The dominance is due to the direct sales to the consumers through retail facilities rather than through other businesses. Among B2C channels, hypermarkets and supermarkets play a major role, offering a wide variety of plant-based items such as dairy alternatives, meat substitutes, and snacks. These stores provide easy access to products for urban consumers, who are increasingly seeking healthier and sustainable food options.

Additionally, online channels are also becoming important, especially in metro cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, etc. Platforms like BigBasket, Amazon, and specialty vegan stores allow consumers to order plant-based foods conveniently from home. Convenience stores contribute as well, though their share is smaller, mainly serving urban neighborhoods.

The dominance of B2C is driven by several factors. Increasing health awareness, rising vegan and flexitarian populations, and greater exposure to plant-based diets encourage consumers to explore and purchase these products directly. Retailers and e-commerce platforms respond by offering diverse options, promotions, and attractive packaging, which further boost consumer demand.

India Plant-Based Food Products Industry Recent Development:

• 2025: Axiom Foods launched Oryzatein® 2.0, a white, grit-free, extra low-heavy metal rice protein, marking a significant advancement in plant-based protein technology.

• 2024: Nestlé S.A. (India) collaborated with SOCIAL and BOSS Burger to launch plant-based delicacies, including burger patties and mince, offering alternatives to traditional meat-based meals.

Gain a Competitive Edge with Our India Plant-Based Food Products Market Report

1. India Plant-Based Food Products Market Report by MarkNtel Advisors provides a detailed & thorough analysis of market size & share, growth rate, competitive landscape, and key players. This comprehensive analysis helps businesses gain a holistic understanding of the market dynamics & make informed decisions.
2. This report also highlights current market trends & future projections, allowing businesses to identify emerging opportunities & potential challenges. By understanding market forecasts, companies can align their strategies & stay ahead of the competition.
3. India Plant-Based Food Products Market Report aids in assessing & mitigating risks associated with entering or operating in the market. By understanding market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and potential challenges, businesses can develop strategies to minimize risks & optimize their operations.

*Reports Delivery Format - Market research studies from MarkNtel Advisors are offered in PDF, Excel and PowerPoint formats. Within 24 hours of the payment being successfully received, the report will be sent to your email address.