Market Trends of United Kingdom Tofu Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the UK Tofu Market according to our research experts:
Growing Preference of Vegan Diet
The pandemic made people more aware of the value of a vegan diet and lifestyle, which led to a shift in consumer preference for vegan food. Tofu and other soy foods are becoming more popular in the United Kingdom as a result of their association to lower rates of cardiovascular diseases without having an impact on thyroid hormone levels. Also, health conditions like lactose intolerance, diabetes, cholesterol, and many other conditions are the reason people have been avoiding regular meals and are shifting to plant-based foods like tofu. According to the British Diabetic Association, in 2021, over 4.9 million were recorded as having diabetes, with 90% of those with type 2. Additionally, government regulations in support of plant-based food are further escalating the growth of the tofu market. With modified technologies, companies are targeting consumers by producing innovative products with properties similar to real meat. These meat substitutes are made with a combination of soy (which also includes tofu), wheat, and pea protein to attain the desired structure. Moreover, tofu is the most common meat alternative, as more consumers around the market are turning to plant-based protein diets.
Online Retail Emerging as the Fastest Growing Distribution Channel
The online retail market, although currently small, has grown rapidly over the last couple of years, with a very strong prospect over the next five years. The main reason behind the growing sales through online retailing is the level of convenience that it provides for consumers, as they find it easy to choose their preferred brands and get a wide range of flavors and product choices. The growth opportunity for the sales of tofu through online channels has forced online vendors to improve the purchase processes in terms of security and reliability, which, in turn, has propelled the demand for tofu products. Moreover, tofu vendors are adopting online retail strategies, such as entering partnerships with different online retailers, to broaden their geographic reach and increase their margins. These initiatives may benefit the market during the forecast period. Due to the high economies of scale associated with vegan food products, the country has registered an increasing number of online grocery stores dedicated to vegan food products. For instance, Vegan Store (the United Kingdom's online grocery store) offers more than 600 vegan options, including tofu, with convenient delivery options to consumers nationwide.
