Miller Magazine Issue: 148 April 2022

73 COVER STORY MILLER / APRIL 2022 The world begins to understand the importance of transforming the current agrifood systems to be more sustainable and environmentally conscious. In this regard, there is an increasing consumer demand for plant-based food products worldwide. As consumer diets are slowly shifting to include fewer animal-based food products, plant-based alternatives to animal-de- rived products (meat, dairy, eggs, and seafood) are gaining popularity. Therefore, the plant-based food market is expected to reach USD 162 billion by 2030, up from USD 29.4 billion in 2020. With the global population set to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, the pressure on agrifood systems to nourish the world has never been higher, while at the same time staying within planetary boundaries. Today, consumer behaviours are shifting in response to a multitude of factors, such as climate change, a focus on improving health, es- pecially amid the ongoing pandemic, concerns about the impact of food production on environmental sustainability, rising incomes, among many others. These shifts are driving changes in the food purchasing and consumption habits of consumers. New food sourc- es and food production systems are increasingly being explored with the goal of achieving improved environmental sustainability and nutritional benefits. The word ‘new’ here applies to recently dis- covered techniques and materials as well as to food that has been historically consumed in specific regions of the world but has re- cently materialized in the global retail space. Food purchasing habits and consumption patterns of consumers are changing across the world in response to their shifting prefer- ences and lifestyles. Increased concerns about healthier diet choic- es and environmental sustainability are driving a growing interest in plant based foods, a sector that is rapidly expanding to include plant-based alternatives for meat, dairy products, eggs and seafood. Plant-Based Food Industry and Innovative Food Products