Plant‑based beef market surges
The plant‑based beef market is forecast to reach $45.52 billion by 2036, with burger patties expected to hold a ~22.5% share this year — driven by cost and supply‑chain gains, even as incumbents like Tyson report a $319 million operating loss in their beef segment tied to a 75‑year low in U.S. cattle herds forecast industry loss.
Future Market Insights put the category at USD 5.80 billion for 2025 and raised the 2026 estimate to USD 6.99 billion, projecting a 20.6% compound annual growth rate through 2036. (futuremarketinsights.com) FMI notes soy‑based protein accounts for roughly 27.0% of source share in plant‑based beef formulations, reflecting soy’s cost and texturization advantages. (futuremarketinsights.com) The same FMI analysis points to quick‑service and institutional procurement as demand anchors, citing school, hospital and corporate foodservice contracts that create steadier off‑take than retail promotions. (futuremarketinsights.com) US herd data released for Jan. 1, 2026 show total cattle at about 86.2 million head and beef cows at roughly 27.6 million, underscoring the tightening animal‑protein supply base. (drovers.com) Tyson Foods responded to the tighter cattle supply by idling and closing beef facilities — including a Lexington, Nebraska plant and scaled‑back operations in the Amarillo, Texas area — while keeping a full‑year adjusted operating profit outlook in the $2.1–$2.3 billion range. (cattlerange.com) Burger chains remain a conversion channel: Burger King’s Impossible Whopper has been a multi‑year staple that helped normalize plant‑based patties in full‑service operations, while McDonald’s has continued regional McPlant offerings developed with Beyond Meat. (vegnews.com) Macro cost signals are shifting: the World Bank‑linked Food Price Index rose 2.1% in February 2026, and the FAO’s Food Price Index also ticked up in February, adding short‑term price pressure to both animal and plant‑based supply chains. (markets.financialcontent.com)
