According to a joint report by UK-based Eurostar Commodities and Bite UK, more foodservice brands could include vegan as a central pillar of new product development, which, in turn, could muscle out some organic protein in 2018 - a trend on which the global meat industry should probably keep an eye on.

“There are lower calories in plant-based proteins, so it will appeal to a broader audience who are doing moderate exercise as opposed to hardcore body building,​” Jason Bull, sales director at Eurostar Commodities and Bite UK, told this site.

“The British public are becoming more and more comfortable with vegan proteins that they would never have heard of just a few years ago. But we do expect good animal protein to remain consistent – for example, grass-fed beef is a great example of a good source of animal protein.​”

The 2018 food trend report points to the progress coffee chain Pret A Manger – which operates in countries including the UK, the US, China, France and the United Arab Emirates – achieved after it launched a shop in London in 2016 that only sold vegetarian food. Called Veggie Pret, the venture was so successful that another Veggie Pret was opened in Shoreditch, London, last year.

Pret A Manger CEO Clive Schlee has since confirmed the company plans to roll out new vegetarian and vegan ranges at its US stores in April, due to strong demand for non-meat food. And the company is not expected to stop there.

The success of Pret’s venture is one reason why Eurostar Commodities and Bite UK have claimed vegan protein could be a key trend to watch. “We predict that vegan protein will continue to feature strongly and will perform at a higher level than organic during 2018,​” the report said