Food habits worldwide have undergone significant transformations in recent decades, influenced by cultural traditions, health awareness, environmental concerns, and ethical considerations. Among these evolving patterns, vegetarian and vegan diets have emerged as prominent lifestyles, shaping the global discourse on food sustainability and nutrition.
While one-fourth of the world has adopted vegetarian or vegan foods, where does India stand in this habit? India has about 39% of vegetarians and India is also an agrarian country exporting about 18% of vegetarian food to various countries in the world.
Vegetarian food primarily excludes meat, poultry, and fish. It includes Plant-based Foods like Vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, Animal-derived Products like Dairy products, eggs, and honey and Processed Vegetarian Foods like tofu, plant-based meat substitutes, and fortified foods.
Vegan food predominantly includes only plant-based foods. Whole Plant Foods like Vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds Plant-based Alternatives: Dairy substitutes (almond, soy, or oat milk), plant-based meat, and vegan cheese Fortified Foods like Products enriched with nutrients often lacking in vegan diets, such as Vitamin B12, calcium, and omega-3s.
Percentage Contribution to Global Vegetarian Food Trade
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- Fresh Vegetables: India is responsible for approximately 9% of the global trade in fresh vegetables.
- Processed Vegetarian Foods: India’s share in processed plant-based food exports is around 5-7% globally.
- Spices: India dominates the global spice market, contributing around 40% of global spice exports, much of which is used in vegetarian cooking.
- India’s vegetarian food exports are on the rise due to the increasing global demand for plant-based foods. This includes a surge in demand from countries with growing vegetarian and vegan populations, such as the United States, the European Union, and the Middle East.
- The shift towards healthier, sustainable diets and the growing acceptance of plant-based foods are contributing to India’s increasing role in the global market.
Where and what India export Vegetables, Processed Vegetarian Food, and Spices?
This is the best way to understand the food habits of various countries before palnning to export frash vegetables and fruits, Processed foods and also the spices.
Wishing the very best, exporting!