(NAFB) – New data released by the Plant Based Foods Association and others shows U.S. retail sales of plant-based foods grew 6.2 percent in 2021 over a record year of growth in 2020. The total plant-based market value reached an all-time high of $7.4 billion. Overall, the Plant Based Foods Association says plant-based food retail sales grew three times faster than total food retail sales, with most plant-based categories outpacing their conventional counterparts. Plant-based milk imitation product dollar sales grew four percent and 33 percent in the past three years to reach $2.6 billion.

After record growth in years prior, 2021 plant-based meat imitation product dollar sales remain strong, delivering a repeat year of $1.4 billion in sales, and growing 74 percent in the past three years. Plant-based burgers continue to lead the plant-based meat category as the top-selling product type. The fastest-growing plant-based meat product types in 2021 were plant-based meatballs, chicken nuggets, tenders, and cutlets, and deli slices.