Lidl UK surpasses sales target for plant-based meat and dairy products with a staggering 700% increase.

Lidl Embraces Plant-Based Revolution in UK

In a bold move towards sustainability and health-conscious eating, German discount supermarket chain Lidl is making significant strides in the UK market with its plant-based offerings.

According to reports, Lidl aims to double the revenue share of non-dairy products from a baseline of 6.4% in 2021. This ambitious goal is part of a broader commitment to have 25% of all protein sales come from plant-based sources by 2030, a marked increase from the current 14%.

The surge in demand for plant-based products at Lidl is noteworthy. Sales of meat alternatives fell by nearly 10% in the UK last year, but Lidl GB recorded a staggering 694% increase in sales of plant-based products between 2020 and 2025. This increase exceeded the retailer's own target of a 400% rise.

The popularity of plant-based foods in the UK is evident. Tofu and beans are popular choices, and half of Brits who identify as vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, or flexitarian want to further change their diets to eat less meat and dairy and more plant-based foods. In fact, 9% of Brits are either vegan, vegetarian, or pescatarian, and another 31% identify as flexitarians.

To cater to this growing demand, Lidl has introduced a range of new plant-based products, including plant-based mince, burgers, marinated tofu, falafels, and vegan tortellini. These products are now labelled under Lidl's new Live Well label, which features on the packaging of private-label products that align with the Planetary Health Diet.

The criteria for the Live Well label include the presence of at least one plant protein or whole-grain ingredient, fully recyclable packaging where possible, and being a source of fibre. Lidl plans to get all of its new Vemondo Plant products certified by The Vegetarian Society.

Prices for these plant-based products are competitive, with Lidl's new Vemondo Plant products starting at £1.49. This affordability, coupled with the growing awareness of the environmental and health benefits of plant-based diets, could make Lidl's playbook for elevating plant-based sales a source of inspiration for its competitors.

However, it's worth noting that the specific company that increased sales of its own branded plant-based meat, dairy, and other products from 400% to 694% over the last five years is not explicitly named in the provided search results.

Meanwhile, Tesco, the UK's largest retailer, is facing challenges in meeting its goal of increasing meat alternative sales by 300% by 2025. In response, Tesco is now focusing on whole-food plant-based options, with vegetable-led foods now making up 40% of its plant-based sales.

The success of Lidl's plant-based strategy can be attributed to its focus on traditional plant protein and veg-led offerings, rather than meat alternatives. This approach seems to resonate with consumers, as 65% of Brits have tried at least one plant-based product in the preceding 12 months.

In a nod to experts' call to "make beans more appetizing", the logo for the Live Well label is encased in a green-coloured bean. This move could help further popularise plant-based foods and contribute to Lidl's goal of increasing the share of plant-based food it sells globally by 20% by the end of the decade.

Lidl UK surpasses sales target for plant-based meat and dairy products with a staggering 700% increase.