PMR survey: Over 1/3 of Poles buy products for vegans or vegetarians

Wpis dostępny jest także w języku: polski

Fully 36% of Poles surveyed by PMR said they had purchased products for vegans or vegetarians in the three preceding months – a much bigger percentage than identified themselves as vegetarian or vegan. Women and young consumers are particularly likely to buy such products, and plant-based milk is the most purchased one.

In a survey of 1,000 adults that PMR conducted in April 2020, 6% stated that they are on a vegetarian or vegan diet. (There were a lot more self-declared vegetarians and vegans among women than men – 9% vs. 3%.)

But when asked whether they had purchased products for vegans or vegetarians during the three previous months, as many as 36% of our respondents answered in the affirmative. This shows how flexitarianism is gaining ground in Poland, with a lot of people willing to reduce their consumption of meat or animal products without abandoning them altogether. Again, women are much more likely than men to buy products for vegans and vegetarians – 43% vs. 28%.

Such purchases are also more common among younger consumers – 45% of 18-34 year-olds bought vegetarian/vegan products in the three months before the survey, 37% of 35-54 year-olds, and 28% of those aged 55 and over.

Level of education and income matter, too. 42% of the respondents with tertiary education, and 47% of those with net monthly household income per capita of over PLN 5,000 (€1,110), buy products for vegans or vegetarians. On the other hand, place of residence was not a significant predictor.

Plant-based milk is most-purchased product for vegans or vegetarians

When asked what products for vegans or vegetarians they had bought, plant-based milk topped the list, mentioned by 54%. The proportion was higher among women than men (59% vs. 45%), and among rural dwellers than urban ones (61% vs. 51%). It was also higher than average among those with tertiary education (57%), and those with net monthly household income per capita of over PLN 5,000 (€1,110).

Hummus ranked second, mentioned by exactly half of those who buy products for vegans or vegetarians. Hummus is also more often purchased by women, but age, place of residence, or income aren’t differentiating factors.

About the author

Karolina Szałas

Retail Market Analyst

Analyst with over three years of experience in retail market. Areas of specialization: clothing and footwear market, cosmetics market and e-commerce.