14-16 April 2026
12th International Food & Drink,
Food Processing and Packaging Exhibition
EXPO XXI Warszawa, 12/14 I. Prądzyńskiego Street
14-16 April 2026
12th International Food & Drink, Food Processing and Packaging Exhibition
EXPO XXI Warszawa, 12/14 I. Prądzyńskiego Street
Is plant-based food in Poland just a passing trend, or a direction that will permanently change our plates? During the debate at the WorldFood Poland 2025 fair, representatives of companies and organizations that have been shaping this industry for years came together: Karolina Centkowska from RoślinnieJemy, Rafał Czech – co-creator of the Bezmięsny brand and the innovative start-up SERio, Michał Gaszyński from SERio, Andy Staniek from Planeat, and Martyna Węgrzyn from Danone. Together, they spoke about what today’s market worth over a billion zlotys looks like, what obstacles producers face, and why patience and education may be the key to future success.
Table of Contents
🟢 The plant-based industry in Poland – where are we today?
🟢 From hyper-optimism to stabilization
🟢 What is hindering the development of the plant-based industry?
🟢 What are the opportunities and directions for the development of the plant-based industry?
🟢 A united voice of the plant-based industry
🟢 Summary – patience and consistency
🟢 FAQ
The plant-based industry in Poland is growing faster than many expected. Its value has already reached over PLN 1.08 billion (as of April 2025). It’s hard to believe if we recall that just six years ago it practically didn’t exist. This shows that changes in eating habits are happening before our eyes, but it is not an overnight revolution.
It resembles more of a slow march than a sprint, as people gradually reduce their consumption of meat and dairy, and plant-based products become a natural element of the shopping basket. This is most visible in the case of plant-based drinks. They are developing the fastest because they are simple to use – you can pour them into coffee, add them to oatmeal, or use them for pancakes. For many people, this is the first step towards trying something new and realizing that plant-based cuisine doesn’t have to be either complicated or boring.
The years 2021–2022 were a time when plant-based products really made headlines. There was even a belief that meat would disappear overnight from Poles’ plates, and store shelves would be filled only with substitutes. However, this hyper-optimism quickly clashed with reality. A lot of poor-quality products entered the market, which, instead of attracting, discouraged many consumers.
Consumers felt disappointed, and rebuilding trust was necessary. Today, it is clear that those who survived that period – like the company Bezmięsny or producers of innovative lupin-based alternatives – are taking a completely different approach. What counts is quality, transparent communication, and patient consumer education. This is not a short-lived fad, but a long-term process of building new habits at the table.
The plant-based market has no shortage of start-ups, but it is largely big players who set its pace. Danone with its Alpro brand shows that global backing offers more than just broad distribution. It also provides the possibility of running educational campaigns, conducting research, and publishing reports that shape consumer awareness.
In Poland, there is still plenty of room for progress in this area, as we spend four times less on plant-based food than people in Western countries. This shows that the potential is enormous and the space for growth is still wide open. Large companies can therefore not only deliver products but also gradually build entire categories and accustom customers to new choices.
Although the plant-based industry is doing increasingly well, its growth does not come without obstacles. Producers often emphasize that simply entering large, nationwide retail chains is a long and complicated process. Sometimes it can take up to a year of talks and negotiations.
Another problem is the financial capacity of Polish consumers. Compared to Germans or Britons, we spend significantly less on plant-based food, which naturally slows down the growth dynamic. On top of that comes the issue of public sentiment, as every company that disappears from the market is seen by the public as proof of the “end of the entire industry.” This creates a negative perception that producers have to face, even though the numbers show that the market is still growing.
Together, they spoke about what today’s market worth over a billion zlotys looks like, what obstacles producers face, and why patience and education may be the key to future success.
Looking ahead, the greatest opportunity for the plant-based market lies in education. Health is the factor that most often motivates Poles to reach for plant-based alternatives. Not fashion or curiosity, but concern for one’s own body. This is confirmed by the “Plate of the Future” report prepared by Danone, which clearly shows that reducing animal-based products has a positive impact on both health and the climate. Experts emphasize, however, that this process cannot be accelerated – it is work for years to come. Consistent education, patience, and repeating a simple message are needed: plant-based food can be tasty, nutritious, and accessible to everyone.
Poland is increasingly being mentioned as a country that could become a plant-based production hub for all of Europe. This can already be seen in the example of the company Bezmięsny, which sells its products in 15 markets and generates around 10–12% of its revenue from exports. This shows that Polish brands are capable of successfully competing abroad.
Another opportunity lies in cooperation with the traditional food industry. Thanks to shared distribution channels and export experience, plant-based alternatives can gain foreign customers more quickly. If producers believe in this direction, Poland has a real chance to play an important role in Europe’s food transformation.
The strength of the plant-based industry lies in its ability to speak with one voice. Cooperation within the Polish Association of Plant-Based Food Producers gives companies the opportunity not only to exchange experiences but also to have a real impact on shaping the market. Thanks to consolidation, it is easier to fight for equal treatment in the food sector and to carry out consistent educational activities aimed at consumers.
During the debate, pride in what has already been achieved was repeatedly emphasized. Despite differences between companies, the participants unanimously agreed that joint work and patience are the foundation on which further development can be built.
The plant-based industry in Poland has a future ahead of it. It is not a passing trend but a long-term direction, reinforced by growing concern for health and social awareness. The road to the level achieved by markets in Germany or the United Kingdom will not be fast or easy. It requires patience, systematic education, and cooperation among producers, both large and small.
The participants of the debate stressed that the most important thing is the consistent building of the category and seeking opportunities for development – both domestically and abroad. “We must believe, seek opportunities, and consistently develop the market” – these words aptly reflect the spirit of the meeting and the hopes tied to the future of plant-based food in Poland.
If you’re interested in where the plant-based industry is heading and want to meet its leaders in person, be sure to visit the next edition of the WorldFood Poland exhibition. That’s where you’ll find the freshest inspirations, discover innovative products, and talk to producers who are changing the face of the Polish food market. Ask about the plant-based exhibitors’ stands and see what the future of the food market looks like in Poland and around the world.
The plant-based industry is a sector of the economy focused on the production, processing, and sale of plant-based products. It includes, among others: plant-based food (meat and dairy alternatives), plant-based cosmetics, supplements, clothing and plant-based materials (e.g., cotton, linen, hemp fibers), as well as sustainable agriculture and biotechnology.
The main trends include:
On the global market, notable players include Beyond Meat, Impossible Foods, Oatly, Alpro (Danone), Nestlé (Garden Gourmet), and Unilever (The Vegetarian Butcher). In Poland, brands such as Dobra Kaloria, Bezmięsny Mięsny, OneDayMore, and Foodtech Ventures are gaining growing popularity.
Plant-based production significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and land area compared to animal farming. As a result, it contributes to combating the climate crisis, protecting biodiversity, and reducing deforestation.
The most important innovations include:
The meat industry still dominates globally, but the plant-based market is growing dynamically. It is estimated that by 2030, plant-based products could account for several percent of the protein market. The plant-based industry offers more ecological and ethical solutions, while the traditional meat industry faces growing regulatory and environmental pressures.
Poland is one of the fastest-growing plant-based markets in Central Europe. It is forecast that within a few years, the value of the plant-based products market could double, and more and more retail chains and restaurants are introducing plant-based alternatives.
The greatest interest is in plant-based drinks (soy, oat, almond), meat alternatives (burgers, sausages, cutlets), plant-based yogurts and cheeses, as well as ready-made plant-based meals and snacks.
The biggest challenges are: higher prices compared to traditional products, cultural barriers and consumer habits, the need to improve taste and texture, legal regulations regarding labeling (e.g., disputes over the use of “milk” or “meat” names), as well as competition from large corporations.
More and more consumers see plant-based products not as niche, but as an everyday alternative. Popularity is growing not only among vegans and vegetarians but also among flexitarians who reduce meat consumption. Increasing ecological, health, and ethical awareness plays a key role.