Key Takeaways
- The Plant Based Products Council (PBPC) reports strong public familiarity (71%) and favorability (85%) toward plant-based products.
- 68% of consumers use plant-based products at least monthly, and 86% say they are likely to purchase them in the next three months.
- Nearly three in four consumers support federal incentives to expand the U.S. ag bioeconomy.
- Findings highlight significant opportunities for U.S. farmers, manufacturers, and rural communities as demand for renewable materials grows.
- The 2025 report serves as a resource for brands, policymakers, and manufacturers seeking to align with rising consumer expectations.
PBPC Highlights Rising Mainstream Demand for Plant-Based Products
The Plant Based Products Council (PBPC) has released its 2025 Consumer Trends Research, offering new insights into consumer awareness, purchasing behavior, and attitudes toward plant-based materials. The annual nationwide survey of more than 1,000 consumers marks the sixth year of the Council’s monitoring efforts and confirms that plant-based products continue to gain broad mainstream acceptance.
“This year’s research makes one thing unmistakably clear: Americans see plant-based products as the future,” said James Glueck, Executive Director of PBPC. “Consumers want materials that support farmers and strengthen U.S. manufacturing. Americans support a strong ag bioeconomy, and they want companies and policymakers to move decisively to unlock domestic manufacturing growth and create innovation jobs and opportunities here in the United States.”
PBPC Findings Reflect Strong Consumer Understanding and Favorability
According to the report, 71% of consumers are familiar with plant-based products, and 85% view them favorably. Usage and purchasing metrics remain strong, with 68% of respondents stating they use plant-based products at least monthly and 63% purchasing them monthly. Meanwhile, 86% expect to purchase such products in the next three months, demonstrating stable and growing consumer demand.
The report also shows that consumers increasingly recognize the connection between plant-based materials and U.S. agriculture. High familiarity with feedstocks such as corn, bamboo, sugarcane, soybeans, and hemp indicates broad public understanding of the role farmers play in the plant-based supply chain.
PBPC Notes Strong Support for Policies That Expand the U.S. Bioeconomy
The 2025 findings reveal notable public backing for policy measures aimed at growing domestic manufacturing of plant-based products. Nearly three in four consumers support federal incentives or tax breaks for companies producing renewable materials—support that spans political affiliations.
Consumers associate plant-based innovation with reduced reliance on fossil-based plastics, stronger domestic supply chains, and new economic opportunities for U.S. farmers and manufacturers. This positions the bioeconomy as a rare area of bipartisan alignment with clear economic and environmental benefits.
PBPC Research Shows Expanding Opportunities for U.S. Agriculture and Manufacturing
PBPC concludes that plant-based materials are no longer considered a niche category. Instead, they represent a durable and growing expectation among U.S. consumers who want renewable, sustainably made, domestically produced alternatives.
The findings highlight several market opportunities:
- Expanded markets for U.S.-grown crops
- Increased rural and manufacturing investment
- Job creation across the ag bioeconomy
- Stronger national competitiveness in renewable materials
The report signals that both brands and policymakers are expected to lead in accelerating the shift toward biobased products.
