Are Plant-Based Foods Becoming More Affordable Than Meat? New Data Says Yes.

Let’s cut to the chase: life has gotten very expensive. In September, prices in American grocery stores were roughly 2.7 percent higher than they were the previous year. And it’s not just the US feeling the squeeze. Earlier this year, the European Central Bank reported that food costs had risen by a third across Europe since 2019.

For many households, this means tightening wallets and cutting back on non-essentials. It can also mean avoiding foods that are perceived to be pricier—like plant-based products. But research suggests that plant-based foods aren’t always as expensive as people think. In some countries, they’re even cheaper than animal-based options.

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Plant-based baskets can cost less, research finds

A recent ProVeg study found that in Germany, a grocery basket filled with plant-based products was actually five percent cheaper than a comparable basket of animal-based items.

To reach this conclusion, the organization looked at products from Germany’s major discount retailers—Aldi Nord, Aldi Süd, Lidl, Netto, and Penny—as well as supermarkets like Edeka, Kaufland, and Rewe. By comparing the cheapest animal-based product with the cheapest equivalent plant-based product, ProVeg found that plant-based alternatives often had a lower price.

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RELATED: Is a Plant-Based Diet Affordable? 10 Expert Tips for Saving at the Store 

At Lidl, for instance, a plant-based basket came out 18 percent cheaper. Items like plant-based burgers and dairy-free milk offered particularly strong savings, while categories such as plant-based fish and cream cheese tended to remain more expensive.

Germany isn’t alone. In the UK, a report from London-based charity Green Alliance showed that average prices for plant-based protein had fallen by 14 percent, even as meat prices rose by about £1.18 per kilo (approximately $1.55 per 2.2 pounds) over the past year.

Saving money on plant-based foods in the US

And rising animal-product prices aren’t limited to Europe. In the US, beef and egg prices have surged in recent months. Yet many people still assume plant-based foods are more costly. A July survey by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) and Morning Consult found that more than 60 percent of American adults believe a plant-based diet is more expensive than one that includes animal products.

But research often shows the opposite, especially if you stick to simple, nutrient-dense whole foods. A 2021 Oxford University study found that plant-based diets could reduce grocery bills by up to one-third.

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“Simple shifts—like buying produce in season, choosing frozen or canned when it’s more affordable, cooking in batches, and leaning on budget-friendly staples like potatoes, beans, and brown rice—can make a big difference,” said Xavier Toledo, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for PCRM. “These strategies add up—helping you save money without shortchanging your health.”

If you’re looking for more practical ways to cut costs while eating plant-based, you can explore our expert tips for grocery shopping on a budget here.