While the global volume of the plant-based food market, which continues to grow worldwide, is expected to reach 491 billion dollars by 2034, the growth in Türkiye is expected to approximately double in the same period and bring new products to the market with the effect of its plant diversity.
Plant Based Foods Association (BİTKİDEN) Chairman of the Board and food engineer Ebru Akdağ told the AA correspondent that the demand for plant-based products has increased with the transformation of food systems around the world, and that Türkiye can be an important production and export center in this field with its herbal diversity, production capacity and geographical location.
Expressing that plant-based foods cover a wide product group, Akdağ stated that legumes, functional foods obtained from plant products, and vegetable protein products developed as alternatives to meat and dairy products are included in this category.
Akdağ emphasized that plant-based foods should not be considered as competitors to animal products and stated that these products are an area that can develop together with animal foods.
Stating that consumers' giving more place to plant foods without completely eliminating animal proteins from their diet is called "flexitarian nutrition", Akdağ noted that health, taste and environmental concerns are among the main factors that direct consumers to plant products.
Akdağ, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Plant Based Foods Association, continued as follows:
"The world market in this field grew very rapidly for a while. Sales of meat product alternatives tripled in the 10-year period from 2015 to 2025. Today, when we look at it on a global basis, we are talking about a volume of 238 billion dollars.
The estimated figure for 2026 is 256 billion dollars, and by 2034 the global volume is expected to increase to 491 billion dollars. "Of course, we are talking about herbal products in a broad sense, that is, there are all kinds of herbal alternatives, but when we look only at meat and dairy alternatives, the global market has a volume of 29 billion dollars."
The market in Türkiye is expected to double by 2034
Expressing that there are estimates that the herbal product market in Türkiye is approximately 190 million dollars, Akdağ said that the market in Türkiye is expected to grow in parallel with the global trend.
Akdağ said, "When we look at the forecasts, we are talking about a market that we expect to double today by 2034." he said.
Pointing out that Türkiye has significant advantages in this field, Ebru Akdağ stated that herbal products are not a new concept in terms of Turkish and regional cuisine.
Expressing that legumes, chickpeas, lentils and olive oil products are important parts of Türkiye's traditional nutritional culture, Akdağ said that Türkiye is in a strong position in the production and processing of these products.
Akdağ stated that there are approximately 12 thousand plant species in Türkiye and 4 thousand of them are endemic, and that this diversity offers an important potential for the development of new functional and value-added products.
Stating that herbal beverages are among the most popular products among herbal alternatives in Türkiye, Akdağ said that beverages obtained from products such as soy and almond have become widespread both in direct consumption and in coffee consumption.
Akdağ emphasized that the future of the industry does not only consist in producing exact alternatives of animal products, and noted that hybrid products in which plant and animal proteins are used together will also gain importance.
Stating that products developed from chickpeas and other legumes stand out in Türkiye, Akdağ stated that herbal cream and yoghurt-like products are among the rapidly developing categories.
Prices are expected to decrease as production increases
Ebru Akdağ pointed out that alternative herbal products to meat and dairy products are still higher priced in some product groups, and said that economies of scale will come into play as production and demand increase.
Akdağ said, "Comparing it with 10 years ago, we can see that the prices have decreased considerably. With the increase in production and demand, the prices of these products will decrease further." made his assessment.
Stating that some herbal products may become cheaper than animal alternatives in the future, Akdağ stated that the sector has turned into a permanent market.
Akdağ pointed out that Germany is Europe's largest market for plant-based foods, and said that France and the Netherlands are among the countries that stand out with their investments in the sector.
Reminding that Denmark put forward the world's first national plant food action plan in 2023, Akdağ noted that plant production creates new income and export opportunities for farmers.
Akdağ stated that 60 organizations in the Netherlands came together and requested a national herbal action plan from the government, and said that such plans bring together farmers, industrialists, public and regulatory institutions towards the same goal.
"As Türkiye, we need to put forward the herbal action plan"
Akdağ, Chairman of the Board of Plant-Based Foods Association, stated that Türkiye should first measure the size and potential of the market more comprehensively, and then a herbal action plan focused on production, R&D and exports can be created.
Akdağ said, "As Turkey, we need to first measure this and then put forward a herbal action plan." he said.
Stating that herbal and functional products offer important opportunities, especially for new ventures, Akdağ said that startups and small producers are increasingly taking on a role in investments that were dominated by large companies in the past.
Akdağ stated that there are R&D studies in this field in the food sector in Türkiye and noted that Türkiye is in an advantageous position in terms of exports to the European Union and other countries.
Stating that there are local companies in Türkiye that produce and export plant-based dairy product alternatives, Akdağ stated that these products are sent not only to Europe but also to the USA and Far East markets.
Stating that Türkiye needs to transform its raw materials into more value-added products in order to increase its plant-based food exports, Ebru Akdağ emphasized that R&D and innovation investments are especially important.
Akdağ stated that the European Union only meets about 1/4 of the protein obtained from oilseeds and protein plants with its own production, and said that Türkiye could be an important supplier thanks to its geographical proximity and production potential.
Stating that Türkiye should develop new products from its own herbal resources instead of import-based raw materials such as soy, Akdağ said, "We have many unstudied and unknown herbal resources. Therefore, we can create products with very different functions and very good taste from them. We can create our own products." he said.
Akdağ stated that Türkiye's 12 thousand plant species, 4 thousand endemic species, young production facilities and studies carried out in universities offer significant advantages, and emphasized that this potential can be transformed into economic value with the right strategies.
Ebru Akdağ said, "I believe that if we can turn these into real life, Türkiye can really become a star in this regard." he said.
Stating that although there are periodic fluctuations in the global plant-based food industry, the long-term growth trend continues, Akdağ noted that investments in Europe continue and the Turkish market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.
