UK’s ‘Next Big Thing’ in Plant-Based Brands to Watch According to Four Start-Ups

The UK is a global leader in plant-based, with the British market  considered the largest for plant-based alternatives in Europe, Mintel predicts meat-free food sales to exceed £1.1 billion by 2024, a significant increase from 2014’s market value £58.2 million, a FoodNavigator.com news report said on April 19.  Pitching to investors at the recent Plant Based Summit hosted by start-up network Bread & Jam, FoodNavigator heard from four start-ups claiming fresh alt milk, vegan Detroit-style pizza, premium cheese cake alternatives, and egg-free fresh pasta to be ‘next big thing’. Of the four, fresh alt milk and premium cheese cake alternatives have coconut as ingredient.  

In Europe, the UK accounts for 15% of all plant-based milk alternatives sales, according to Grand View Research.  Oat, soy, almond, and coconut dairy alternatives are now commonplace on-shelf, and the next for the category according to founder of London-based start-up Goodness M*lk, Doyin Songbesan, lies in fresh alt milk, “We are a forward thinking, planet-friendly, organic plant based milk company that uses dairy free ingredients,” she told investors.  The oat milk alternative, for example, contains 12% organic oats, the coconut alt milk is made from 20% mature coconuts, and its almond drink contains 10% almonds.  This is a big increase from the ‘industry standard”, explained Songbesan, ‘which has 2% if you’re lucky!’ 

Regarding cheesecake alternatives, London-based Posh Puddin’ is a premium vegan dessert brand founded by mother-daughter team Marie and Shauna.  In November 2020, Posh Puddin’ launched its pea and coconut alternative to cheesecake in the fresh dessert category. Sold in eight flavors, the base of each SKU is made from similar ingredients: gluten-free oats, pea protein and starch, and coconut cream and oil, natural colorings and flavorings, sugar and apple cider vinegar. Over the last four months of trading D2C, Posh Puddin’ has sold more than 1,000 units and secured a listing with Daylesford Organics.  Moving forward, the co-founder suggested she is keen to expand its presence in retail. Posh Puddin’ is ‘ready to hit the shelves’.