Planting seeds of change: Thai veggie market sprouts into billion-baht industry

[webfact]

 

In a culinary revolution, plant-based food companies are urged to overhaul taste, slash prices, and boost health benefits. Will this signal a paradigm shift in global dining habits?

 

The Thai plant-based food market, once a niche, is now a burgeoning industry worth billions. By 2024, it’s expected to skyrocket to 45 billion baht, according to Statista, a German online platform that specializes in data gathering and visualisation.

 

Amidst a pandemic-induced health consciousness, consumers are ditching meat for plant-based alternatives, presenting lucrative opportunities for food giants like CP Foods and Thai Union Group.

Even unexpected players like the PTT Group are venturing into a plant-based protein business. But amidst this buzz, taste, price, and nutrition remain key concerns for consumers, reported Thai PBS World.

Preeyanut, a government officer, embraces plant-based foods for health benefits but finds them pricey.

“If the prices come down, I will have them more often.”

 

Meanwhile, Patipon, an office employee, seeks convenience but notes taste disparities among plant-based products.

“I love veggie steamed buns… but vegan spaghetti… was not that great.”

 

Nida, a business owner, finds plant-based products disappointing, urging brands to match the taste of traditional items.

 

“I would eat plant-based products over meat products if they tasted better.”

 

Even dietitian Patsita opts for minimally processed foods, wary of high sodium levels in some plant-based alternatives.

“I often feel thirsty after eating plant-based meats.”

 

As consumers demand tastier, cheaper, and healthier options, will the plant-based food industry rise to the occasion, reshaping the future of how we eat? Time will tell.

In related news, in a case of social media misunderstanding, a well-intentioned educational post on Facebook by a Thai doctor went viral for the wrong reasons.

 

Chulalongkorn University shared on its Facebook page an image of Dr Pawat Phuensan with a pink background and a message warning about the dangers of prawn whisker punctures leading to fatal infections. However, netizens misinterpreted the post as an obituary for the doctor, leading to a flood of condolence messages.

 

by Samantha Rose

Photo courtesy of Thai PBS World

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-02-29

 

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[flyingtlger]

18 minutes ago, webfact said:

“I would eat plant-based products over meat products if they tasted better.”

I think this is the general consensus......

[khwaibah]

McDonalds Launches Its First-Ever Certified Vegan Burger At No Extra CostMcDonalds Launches Its First-Ever Certified Vegan Burger At No Extra Cost

Edited February 29 by khwaibah

[bamnutsak]

1 hour ago, flyingtlger said:

I think this is the general consensus......

 

That's why we have seasonings and condiments and cheese and....

 

Who the heck eats a burger or hot dog plain?

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

“I would eat plant-based products over meat products if they tasted better.”

Steak or lettuce leaf... tough choice

[Burma Bill]

9 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Steak or lettuce leaf... tough choice

 

For me - a juicy tender Khmer beef lok lak with lettuce in an accompanying salad!

 

[Srikcir]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

plant-based products.

Maybe that's the answer - call cannabis a plant-based veggie.