Soy Market Research Reports & Industry Analysis

Soy is a predominant ingredient in the food industry. The soy market includes meat alternatives, dairy alternatives, grains, snacks, cereals, meal replacements, protein powders and formulas. Some examples of meat alternatives made of soy include: tofu, tempeh, vegetarian burgers and frankfurters, meatless luncheon slices, canned meat analogs (plant based versions of common meat products), ground soy burger, and soy bacon. Examples of dairy alternatives include: soy milk, soy creamers, soy yogurts, tofu­-based butter alternatives, soy whipped toppings, soy cheese, and non­-dairy desserts. Soy is sold in bulk fresh, frozen, and dried soybeans. Soy is used for textured vegetable protein in meal replacements and protein powders. Other soy foods including soy sauce, tamari, soy nut butter, and miso. Soy­-based formulas for infants are also popular. Soybean­-based oil is considered a commodity product and typically is not purchased for soy benefits. Margarines predominantly are soy­oil based; however, this category too is not necessarily purchased by consumers wishing to add soy to their diet. Historically, products made with soy date back many thousands of years. Soybeans are one of the world’s oldest crops, with a long, rich history in eastern world cuisine. Archeological evidence shows that soybeans were first cultivated in Eastern Asia more than 5,000 years ago. The earliest written record of soybean use dates back to the Book of Odes, penned in 1100 B.C. in China. The early Chinese called soybeans ta tou, which means 'greater bean.' It appears that tofu was developed by Buddhist monks in China during the Han Dynasty somewhere between 25 and 220 A.D. In the early 1700s, soybeans arrived and were first cultivated in Europe. They soon found their way to the United States but were not actually grown there at all until the 1800s. Benjamin Franklin was one of the country’s first vegetarians and, reportedly, the person who introduced tofu into the United States in the late 1700s.
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Soy Industry Research & Market Reports

  • Plant-Based Dairy in Italy

    ... expected to see the fastest increments (ongoing double-digit rises in retail volume and current value sales). Within plant-based dairy, the fast growth in “other” plant-based milk is at the expense of soy drinks, which continues ... Read More

  • Plant-Based Dairy in Indonesia

    ... consumers. Their positioning is not so much as a milk alternative but simply as another type of drink which is made from beans (soybean or mung beans, etc). Soy drinks also have wide distribution channels ... Read More

  • Plant-Based Dairy in Costa Rica

    ... the most popular and is entering the mainstream. However, as yet, plant-based cheeses and yoghurts are difficult to find. Also, within plant-based milk, soy drinks remains the most popular, with brands such as Soya Pac, ... Read More

  • Plant-Based Dairy in Nigeria

    ... unit pricing. Despite showing considerable growth over the review period, plant-based dairy remains a relatively niche category in Nigeria, rendering it non-essential in the eyes of most consumers. Euromonitor International's Plant-based Dairy in Nigeria report ... Read More

  • Plant-Based Dairy in Portugal

    ... to traditional dairy products is on the rise. Plant-based milk represents by far the largest product area, with other plant-based milks, such as almond milk and oat milk, as well as varieties made with pea ... Read More

  • Plant-Based Dairy in Canada

    ... confluence of factors, including heightened awareness of health benefits associated with plant-based diets and mounting environmental concerns. This conducive environment has prompted a surge of entrants into the category, originating from both the existing dairy ... Read More

  • Plant-Based Dairy in the Czech Republic

    ... in the household; however, the worsening economic situation of 2022 boosted the trend. The ingredients to make some plant-based milks are cheaper than the product, leading customers to make their own at home. Some retail ... Read More

  • Plant-Based Dairy in Dominican Republic

    ... are largely driven by younger consumers, which consider plant-based products to be healthier and less damaging to the environment. Plant-based UHT milk dominate sales and local company Induveca also offers plant-based milk in powder format, ... Read More

  • Plant-Based Dairy in South Africa

    ... remains by far the biggest category, thanks its wide availability across supermarkets. However, South African consumers are also just starting to explore plant-based dairy options beyond milk, with plant-based yoghurt and cheese gaining traction in ... Read More

  • Plant-Based Dairy in Spain

    ... reasonable margins. Additionally, producers have been able to maintain prices due to their relatively high profit margins. Even though plant-based dairy products are generally more expensive than their standard dairy counterparts, inflation has had a ... Read More

  • Plant-Based Dairy in Hungary

    ... they are not fully committing to vegetarian or vegan diets. Globally, this trend is being driven by rising consumer health consciousness, growing awareness of the environmental impact of livestock farming, and concerns about animal welfare. ... Read More

  • Plant-Based Dairy in Vietnam

    ... significantly contributed to the increase in retail and foodservice volume sales of plant-based products. In 2023, plant-based dairy, with only plant-based milk recording significant sales, is expected to experience slower growth overall in retail volume ... Read More

  • Plant-Based Dairy in New Zealand

    ... household budgets are limited. This has been no different for plant-based dairy, with brands from these players seeing double-digit current value growth in plant-based milk, which is set to continue in 2023. Plant-based milk can ... Read More

  • Plant-Based Dairy in Poland

    ... wide selection. Similarly, once hard to find, plant-based yoghurts and vegan cheese substitutes are easily accessible. Euromonitor International's Plant-based Dairy in Poland report offers in-depth knowledge of the market at a national level, providing local ... Read More

  • Plant-Based Dairy in Latvia

    ... declining due to economic uncertainty in the country. Consuming fewer animal-based products is increasingly believed to enrich diets, improve health and decrease environmental footprint; however, economic uncertainty and lower purchasing power is pushing consumers towards ... Read More

  • Plant-Based Dairy in Bosnia and Herzegovina

    ... There is a growing appetite for dairy alternatives and plant-based products, aided by the health and wellness trend, which is bringing more consumers into the category. In response to rising demand, category players are regularly ... Read More

  • Plant-Based Dairy in Saudi Arabia

    ... interest in plant-based alternatives that is being supported globally by rising concerns about the environment and animal welfare issues, as well as the health and wellness trend. Increasingly health conscious consumers are becoming concerned about ... Read More

  • Plant-Based Dairy in the United Arab Emirates

    ... an increasing preference for plant-based foods. Hence, plant-based dairy has strong potential to take off, because these products are often higher in vitamins and protein, and lower in saturated fat and carbohydrate, and are less ... Read More

  • Plant-Based Dairy in Israel

    ... could not eat dairy. However, there has also been a continual rise in veganism in the country, with a rising number of consumers who prefer not to eat products that come from animals. Many consumers ... Read More

  • Plant-Based Dairy in Malaysia

    ... is increasingly present on menus in foodservice establishments, such as specialist coffee shops like Starbucks, Zus Coffee and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and selected bubble tea shops like Tealive. Hence, “other” plant-based options, ... Read More

  • Plant-Based Dairy in France

    ... a low base. Plant-based dairy enjoyed significant growth earlier in the review period, driven by novelty and regular new product launches. Whilst innovation continues, there has been a notable slowdown as consumers are making more ... Read More

  • Plant-Based Dairy in Australia

    ... recent development, the growth of oat milk has also been outpacing other plant-based milks, such as almond or soy. Oat milk is on track to be the most sold plant-based alternative milk in cafés around ... Read More

  • Plant-Based Dairy in Greece

    ... products with lactose. As seen with vegan cheese, plant-based milk can be consumed as an alternative during Lent. Euromonitor International's Plant-based Dairy in Greece report offers in-depth knowledge of the market at a national level, ... Read More

  • Plant-Based Dairy in Estonia

    ... largely driven by younger consumers, who consider plant-based products to be healthier and less damaging to the environment. Other plant-based milks such as almond, rice, and coconut are expected to see higher volume growth than ... Read More

  • Plant-Based Dairy in China

    ... and Vitasoy, due to rising costs of soybeans and labour, rather than any real increase in demand. However, volume sales of soy drinks in the foodservice sector saw an improved performance, following the ending of ... Read More

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