Europe Tofu Market Size and Share

Europe Tofu Market Summary
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Europe Tofu Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence

The Europe tofu market size stands at USD 660 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 1.18 billion by 2030, expanding at a 12.55% CAGR during the forecast period. This trajectory confirms that the Europe tofu market is moving from a niche alternative protein category to a mainstream grocery staple, supported by government procurement mandates, retail normalization, and foodservice menu integration. Denmark’s national action plan, the European Union’s ISAAP replication project, and institutional financing from the European Investment Bank create a policy environment that systematically channels demand toward tofu. Flavor innovation, notably smoked and herb-infused profiles, accelerates adoption by matching European taste preferences, while localized soybean sourcing mitigates supply risk and reinforces sustainability narratives. The Europe tofu market is further propelled by flexitarian consumers who value complete amino acid profiles, clean labels, and allergen-free claims, positioning tofu as a premium yet accessible protein choice across age groups.

Key Report Takeaways

  • By product type, smoked and flavored tofu held 32.72% of the Europe tofu market share in 2024 and is advancing at a 14.35% CAGR through 2030.
  • By distribution channel, the off-trade segment dominated with 69.21% Europe tofu market size in 2024, whereas the on-trade segment is forecast to register the fastest 15.02% CAGR to 2030.
  • By geography, the United Kingdom captured 25.89% revenue share of the Europe tofu market in 2024, while France is projected to post the highest 13.77% CAGR over the same period.

Segment Analysis

By Product Type: Flavored Varieties Drive Premium Market Growth

In 2024, smoked and flavored tofu varieties accounted for 32.72% of the market, highlighting European consumers' preference for convenient, ready-to-eat protein options that integrate seamlessly with local culinary traditions. The segment's notable 14.35% CAGR projected through 2030 reflects effective product positioning that addresses the taste and texture challenges historically linked to plain tofu. Taifun's Basilico and Rosso varieties, featuring Mediterranean herbs and sun-dried tomatoes, exemplify localization strategies that align with regional flavor preferences. Regular tofu continues to hold a significant volume share due to its versatility and affordability, appealing to price-sensitive consumers and foodservice operators seeking neutral-flavored protein bases.

Fortified and functional tofu variants are the fastest-growing subsegment, incorporating vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds to enhance their nutritional profiles beyond basic protein content. Tofubar's aged and smoked varieties, offering a 7-month shelf life and crafted through artisanal methods, command a premium price of EUR 75.82 per kilogram, reflecting consumers' willingness to pay for quality and innovation. This segment benefits from European consumers' growing sophistication regarding plant-based nutrition and their preference for minimally processed foods with transparent ingredient lists. Additionally, advancements in fermentation techniques, such as lacto-fermented varieties that mimic cheese textures, expand usage occasions and attract flexitarian consumers transitioning from dairy products.

Europe Tofu Market: Market Share by Product Type
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By Distribution Channels: Retail Dominance with Foodservice Acceleration

In 2024, off-trade channels hold a dominant 69.21% market share, highlighting tofu's shift from niche health food stores to mainstream supermarket shelves across Europe. This segment's leadership is driven by retail chains strategically positioning plant-based products in dedicated sections and integrating them with traditional protein options, thereby normalizing their consumption. Discount retailers significantly contribute to volume growth. For instance, German discount channels recorded an impressive 114% increase in vegan product sales between 2020 and 2024, making plant-based proteins more accessible to cost-conscious consumers, as reported by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Additionally, online platforms within the off-trade segment excel by offering specialized varieties and bulk purchasing options, which physical stores often cannot accommodate.

Although the on-trade segment accounts for a smaller market share, it demonstrates the highest growth potential, with a projected 15.02% CAGR through 2030. This growth is driven by professional kitchens increasingly incorporating plant-based proteins to meet sustainability objectives and address diverse dietary preferences. The Tofoo Co's expansion into UK pub chains, Slug & Lettuce and JW Lees, highlights effective foodservice penetration strategies, focusing on menu innovation and chef training. Royal Ascot's adoption of plant-based options across its fine-dining establishments, serving approximately 5,500 patrons, reflects the premium foodservice sector's growing recognition of tofu. Tofu's popularity in foodservice is further supported by its operational advantages, including consistent quality, a longer shelf life compared to fresh alternatives, and versatility in preparation methods that align well with professional kitchen workflows.

Europe Tofu Market: Market Share by Distribution Channels
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Geography Analysis

In 2024, the United Kingdom leads Europe in tofu consumption, holding a 25.89% market share. This leadership highlights the UK's early adoption of plant-based eating trends and its advanced retail infrastructure, which has normalized alternative proteins. British consumers show greater acceptance of Asian flavors and cooking techniques compared to their continental counterparts, facilitating tofu's integration into mainstream diets. The Tofoo Co, which accounts for over 60% of the UK's tofu sales, exemplifies the effectiveness of localization strategies. These strategies focus on British culinary applications while preserving authentic Asian production methods, as noted by The Grocer. Recent innovations, such as The Tofoo Co's frozen range launch at Tesco, featuring tempura and pre-marinated options, target "tofu-curious" consumers and expand tofu's culinary uses. The UK's established organic food distribution networks and consumers' willingness to pay a premium for high-quality plant-based proteins further strengthen the market.

France, despite facing regulatory challenges like ANSES's restrictions on soy-based foods in school canteens (due to isoflavone concerns affecting 76% of children aged 3-5), is experiencing the fastest growth in Europe's tofu market, with a 13.77% CAGR projected through 2030. To address these institutional challenges, French producers are focusing on premium retail segments and artisanal methods that align with local culinary traditions. Companies such as Sojade (Triballat Noyal) are leveraging organic certifications and local production to attract quality-conscious consumers. Additionally, they are introducing innovative flavor profiles, combining Mediterranean herbs and traditional French ingredients, to broaden their market appeal. The French market shows a strong preference for fermented tofu varieties that mimic cheese textures, catering to consumers seeking plant-based dairy alternatives. Compliance with EU organic standards (FR BIO 001) enhances consumer trust and supports premium positioning strategies.

Germany and the Netherlands, both mature markets, are experiencing steady growth due to well-established organic food distribution networks and long-standing consumer familiarity with plant-based alternatives. Between 2020 and 2024, German discount retailers significantly contributed to volume growth, achieving a notable 114% increase in vegan product sales, thereby making plant-based proteins more accessible to price-sensitive consumers. Meanwhile, the Netherlands, supported by progressive food policies and heightened consumer awareness of sustainability, provides favorable conditions for premium tofu varieties. Countries like Italy, Spain, and Russia are emerging players in the tofu market. Italy, in particular, stands out as the world's second-largest tofu exporter, generating USD 120.8 million, which reflects its strong production capabilities that could drive accelerated domestic market growth.

Competitive Landscape

In the European tofu market, competition is balanced, with a concentration rating of 5 out of 10. This balance sees established regional producers vying with emerging players, who are carving out their niches through innovation and strategic positioning. Companies that adeptly meld authentic Asian production techniques with the tastes of European consumers are reaping the rewards. For instance, The Tofoo Co has captured over 60% of the UK market, while Taifun-Tofu leads in Germany's organic segment. The market is witnessing a flurry of strategic consolidations, underscored by Comitis Capital's acquisition of The Tofoo Co and Vegan Food Group's USD 69.70 million takeover of TofuTown. These moves not only highlight the confidence investors have in the market's growth trajectory but also underscore the significance of established distribution networks. 

As competition heats up, companies are pouring resources into product innovation, honing in on technologies that enhance texture, localize flavors, and refine packaging to cater to consumer demands like portion control and longer shelf life. Adopting cutting-edge technologies is becoming the hallmark of competitive differentiation. Producers are focusing on refining texture, enhancing flavor profiles, and boosting nutritional content, all while ensuring a clean label. A case in point is the EIT Food "Tasty Texture" initiative, which underscores the industry's commitment to elevating plant-based protein functionality through state-of-the-art extrusion methods and ingredient refinement. 

There's a burgeoning demand in premium segments, especially among health-conscious consumers. These consumers are increasingly inclined to pay a premium for organic, locally-sourced, and functionally-enhanced tofu varieties. Meanwhile, new entrants are carving out niches with artisanal production techniques, direct-to-consumer sales, and catering to foodservice operators in search of unique plant-based options. While the EU's organic certification standards pose challenges for newcomers, they simultaneously bolster the market position of established producers. These producers not only navigate the compliance maze but also leverage the certification as a badge of quality, reinforcing their premium market strategies across Europe.

Europe Tofu Industry Leaders

  1. Clearspring Limited

  2. House Foods Group Inc.

  3. Pulmuone Corporate

  4. Taifun-Tofu GmbH

  5. The Tofoo Co. Ltd

  6. *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Europe Tofu Market Concentration
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Recent Industry Developments

  • September 2025: THIS, a UK-based producer of plant-based foods, collaborated with Omami, a German startup, to launch an innovative range of tofu made from chickpeas instead of soybeans. The tofu is available in two flavors: Lightly Seasoned and Chilli Spiced. The Lightly Seasoned option, marinated with salt and pepper, is described as versatile for various dishes. Meanwhile, the Chilli Spiced option, featuring a chili marinade, is well-suited for Mexican and Asian-inspired recipes.
  • September 2025: Clearspring launched a single-serve (200g) version of its best-selling organic Japanese Tofu, targeting modern consumers and flexitarians. The single-serve pack, designed to address issues of food waste associated with oversized portions, brought added flexibility for smaller households and on-the-go lifestyles.
  • April 2024: Omami, a startup from Berlin launched tofu made from chickpeas. The products are produced in the company’s own production facility and the company guarantees short supply chains.
  • February 2024: The Vegan Food Group acquired Germany’s Tofutown, a leading organic alt-meat producer specializing in tofu, plant-based spreads, and meat alternatives. The acquisition enabled Vegan Food Group to fast-track its growth in the UK and EU across chilled, frozen, and ambient food categories, both via branded and own-label retail as well as foodservice channels.

Table of Contents for Europe Tofu Industry Report

1. INTRODUCTION

  • 1.1 Study Assumptions & Market Definition
  • 1.2 Scope of the Study

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4. MARKET LANDSCAPE

  • 4.1 Market Overview
  • 4.2 Market Drivers
    • 4.2.1 Rising Vegan, Vegetarian, and Flexitarian Populations
    • 4.2.2 High Health and Nutrition Awareness
    • 4.2.3 Government and Institutional Promotion
    • 4.2.4 Innovative Product Varieties
    • 4.2.5 Continuous improvements in flavor, texture, and clean label formulations
    • 4.2.6 Allergen-Free and Non-GMO Positioning
  • 4.3 Market Restraints
    • 4.3.1 Competition from Other Plant-Based Proteins
    • 4.3.2 Strict Regulatory Standards
    • 4.3.3 Soybean Supply Chain Reliance
    • 4.3.4 Short Shelf Life and Cold Chain Demands
  • 4.4 Supply Chain Analysis
  • 4.5 Regulatory Outlook
  • 4.6 Porter’s Five Forces
    • 4.6.1 Threat of New Entrants
    • 4.6.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
    • 4.6.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
    • 4.6.4 Threat of Substitute Products
    • 4.6.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

5. MARKET SIZE AND GROWTH FORECAST (Value and Volume )

  • 5.1 Product Type
    • 5.1.1 Regular
    • 5.1.2 Smoked/Flavored
    • 5.1.3 Fortified/Functional
  • 5.2 Distribution Channels
    • 5.2.1 On-Trade
    • 5.2.1.1 Hotels
    • 5.2.1.2 Restaurants
    • 5.2.1.3 Catering
    • 5.2.2 Off-Trade
    • 5.2.2.1 Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
    • 5.2.2.2 Convenience Stores
    • 5.2.2.3 Online Channel
    • 5.2.2.4 Others
  • 5.3 Geography
    • 5.3.1 United Kingdom
    • 5.3.2 Germany
    • 5.3.3 France
    • 5.3.4 Spain
    • 5.3.5 Italy
    • 5.3.6 Russia
    • 5.3.7 Netherlands
    • 5.3.8 Rest of Europe

6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

  • 6.1 Market Concentration
  • 6.2 Strategic Moves
  • 6.3 Market Ranking Analysis
  • 6.4 Company Profiles (includes Global-level Overview, Market-level Overview, Core Segments, Financials (if available), Strategic Information, Market Rank/Share, Products & Services, Recent Developments)
    • 6.4.1 Clearspring Limited
    • 6.4.2 House Foods Group Inc.
    • 6.4.3 Pulmuone Co., Ltd.
    • 6.4.4 Taifun-Tofu GmbH
    • 6.4.5 The Tofoo Co. Ltd
    • 6.4.6 Dragonfly Foods Ltd.
    • 6.4.7 Lord of Tofu (Dörte & Freddy Ulrich)
    • 6.4.8 SCOP Tossolia
    • 6.4.9 Le Sojami
    • 6.4.10 Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd.
    • 6.4.11 Tazaki Foods Ltd.
    • 6.4.12 Zeevi Kichererbsen GmbH
    • 6.4.13 Sojade (Triballat Noyal)
    • 6.4.14 Alpro (Danone S.A.)
    • 6.4.15 Cauldron Foods (Marlow Foods)
    • 6.4.16 Viana Foods (Naturkost Ernst Weber)
    • 6.4.17 Yipin Tofu AB
    • 6.4.18 Vivera BV
    • 6.4.19 Inari Oy
    • 6.4.20 Lima Food NV
    • 6.4.21 PT Indofood CBP – Tofu Unit

7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE OUTLOOK

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Europe Tofu Market Report Scope

Off-Trade, On-Trade are covered as segments by Distribution Channel. France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, Spain, United Kingdom are covered as segments by Country.
Product Type
Regular
Smoked/Flavored
Fortified/Functional
Distribution Channels
On-Trade Hotels
Restaurants
Catering
Off-Trade Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
Convenience Stores
Online Channel
Others
Geography
United Kingdom
Germany
France
Spain
Italy
Russia
Netherlands
Rest of Europe
Product Type Regular
Smoked/Flavored
Fortified/Functional
Distribution Channels On-Trade Hotels
Restaurants
Catering
Off-Trade Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
Convenience Stores
Online Channel
Others
Geography United Kingdom
Germany
France
Spain
Italy
Russia
Netherlands
Rest of Europe
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Market Definition

  • Meat Substitutes - It is a food product made from vegetarian or vegan ingredients, eaten as a replacement for meat. Meat substitutes typically approximate qualities of specific types of meat, such as mouthfeel, flavor, appearance, or chemical characteristics.​
  • Tempeh - It is a high protein Asian food prepared by fermenting soybeans with a Rhizopus.​
  • Textured Vegetable Protein - Food items made from consumable protein sources like soybean, pea, wheat, hemp, etc., are known as textured vegetable proteins. Each unit will withstand hydration during cooking and other processes used in preparing the food for consumption because it has structural integrity and a distinguishable texture.​
  • Tofu - Tofu is a soft food product prepared by treating soybean milk with coagulants.​
Keyword Definition
A5 It is a Japanese grading system for beef. The 'A' means the carcass yield is the highest possible and the numeric rating relates to beef marbling, color and brightness of the flesh, its texture and color, luster, and fat quality. A5 is the highest mark wagyu beef can score.
Abbatoir It is another name for a slaughterhouse and refers to the premise used for or in connection with the slaughter of animals whose meat is intended for human consumption.
Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND) It is a disease that affects shrimp and is characterized by high mortalities, in many cases reaching 100% within 30-35 days of stocking grow-out ponds.
African Swine Fever (ASF) It is a highly contagious viral disease of pigs caused by a double-stranded DNA virus in the Asfarviridae family.
Albacore Tuna It is one of the smallest species of tuna found in the six distinct stocks known globally in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea.
Angus beef It is beef derived from a specific breed of cattle indigenous to Scotland. It requires certification from the American Angus Association to receive the "Certified Angus Beef" quality mark
Bacon It is salted or smoked meat that comes from the back or sides of a pig
Black Angus It is beef derived from a black-hided breed of cows that don't have horns.
Bologna It is an Italian smoked sausage made of meat, typically large and made from pork, beef or veal.
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) It is a progressive neurological disorder of cattle that results from infection by an unusual transmissible agent called a prion.
Bratwurst It refers to a type of German sausage made from pork, beef or veal.
BRC British Retail Consortium
Brisket It is a cut of meat from the breast or lower chest of beef or veal. The beef brisket is one of the nine beef primal cuts.
Broiler It refers to any chicken (Gallus domesticus) that is bred and raised specifically for meat production.
Bushel It is a unit of measurement for grains and pulses. 1 bushel = 27.216 kg
Carcass It refers to the dressed body of a meat animal from which butchers trim the meat
CFIA Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Chicken Tender It refers to chicken meat prepared from the pectoralis minor muscles of a chicken bird.
Chuck Steak It refers to a cut of beef that is part of the chuck primal, which is a large section of meat from the shoulder area of a cow
Corned Beef It refers to beef brisket cured in brine and boiled, typically served cold.
CWT Also known as a hundredweight, it is a unit of measurement used to define the quantity of meat. 1 CWT = 50.80 kg
Drumstick It refers to a chicken leg without the thigh.
EFSA European Food Safety Authority
ERS Economic Research Service of the USDA
Ewe It is an adult female sheep.
FDA Food and Drug Administration
Fillet Mignon It is a cut of meat taken from the smaller end of the tenderloin.
Flank Steak It is a cut of beef steak taken from the flank, which lies forward of the rear quarter of a cow.
Foodservice It refers to the part of the food industry which includes businesses, institutions, and companies which prepare meals outside the home. It includes restaurants, school and hospital cafeterias, catering operations, and many other formats.
Forage It refers to animal feed.
Foreshank It is the upper part of the foreleg of cattle
Franks Also known as frankfurter or Würstchen, it is a type of highly seasoned smoked sausage popular in Austria and Germany.
FSANZ Food Standards Australia New Zealand
FSIS Food Safety and Inspection Service
FSSAI Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
Gizzard It refers to an organ found in the digestive tract of birds. It is also called the mechanical stomach of a bird.
Gluten It is a family of proteins found in grains, including wheat, rye, spelt, and barley
Grain-fed beef It is beef derived from cattle that have been fed a diet supplemented with soy and corn and other additives. Grainfed cows can also be given antibiotics and growth hormones to fatten them up more quickly.
Grass-fed beef It is beef derived from cattle that have only been fed grass as feed.
Ham It refers to the pork meat taken from the leg of a pig.
HoReCa Hotels, Restaurants and Cafes
Jerky It is lean trimmed meat that has been cut into strips and dried (dehydrated) to prevent spoilage.
Kobe Beef It is Wagyu beef specifically from the Kuroge Washu breed of cows in Japan. To be classified as Kobe beef, the cow must have been born, raised, and slaughtered within the Hyōgo prefecture in the city of Kobe in Japan.
Liverwurst It is type of German sausage made from beef or pork liver.
Loin It refers to the sides between the lower ribs and pelvis, and the lower part of the back of a cow.
Mortadella It is a large Italian sausage or luncheon meat made of finely hashed or ground heat-cured pork, which incorporates at least 15% small cubes of pork fat.
Pastrami It refers to a highly seasoned smoked beef, typically served in thin slices.
Pepperoni It is an American variety of spicy salami made from cured meat.
Plate It refers to a forequarter cut from the belly of a cow, just below the rib cut.
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) It is a disease occurring in swine causing late-term reproductive failure and severe pneumonia in neonatal pigs.
Primal cuts It refers to the major sections of the carcass.
Quorn It is a meat substitute product prepared using mycoprotein as an ingredient, in which the fungus culture is dried and mixed with egg albumen or potato protein, which acts as a binder, and then is adjusted in texture and pressed into various forms.
Ready-to-Cook (RTC) It refers to food products that include all of the ingredients, where some preparation or cooking is required through a process that is given on the package.
Ready-to-Eat (RTE) It refers to a food product prepared or cooked in advance, with no further cooking or preparation required before being eaten
Retort Packaging It is a process of aseptic packaging food in which food is filled into a pouch or metal can, sealed, and then heated to extremely high temperatures, rendering the product commercially sterile.
Round Steak It refers to a beef steak from the the rear leg of the cow.
Rump Steak It refers to a cut of beef derived from the division between the leg and the chine.
Salami It is a cured sausage consisting of fermented and air-dried meat.
Saturated fat It is a type of fat in which the fatty acid chains have all single bonds. It is generally considered unhealthy.
Sausage It is a meat product made of finely chopped and seasoned meat, which may be fresh, smoked, or pickled and which is then usually stuffed into a casing.
Scallop It is an edible shellfish that is a mollusk with a ribbed shell in two parts.
Seitan It is a plant-based meat substitute made out of wheat gluten.
Self-service kios It refers to a self-order point-of-sale (POS) system through which customers place and pay for their own orders at kiosks, enabling totally contactless and frictionless service.
Sirloin It is a cut of beef from the bottom and side parts of a cow's back.
Surimi It is a paste made from deboned fish
Tenderloin It refers to a cut of beef consisting of the entire tenderloin muscle of a cow
Tiger Shrimp It refers to a large shrimp variety from the Indian and Pacific oceans
Trans fat Also called trans-unsaturated fatty acids or trans fatty acids, it is a type of unsaturated fat that naturally occurs in small amounts in meat.
Vannamei shrimp It refers to tropical prawns and shrimp that are farmed in areas near the equator, generally along the coast in artificial ponds.
Wagyu Bee It is beef derived from any of four strains of a breed of black or red Japanese cattle that are valued for their highly marbled meat.
Zoosanitary It refers to the cleanliness of animals or animal product
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Research Methodology

Mordor Intelligence follows a four-step methodology in all our reports.

  • Step-1: Identify Key Variables: In order to build a robust forecasting methodology, the variables and factors identified in Step 1 are tested against available historical market numbers. Through an iterative process, the variables required for market forecast are set, and the model is built on the basis of these variables.​
  • Step-2: Build a Market Model: Market-size estimations for the forecast years are in nominal terms. Inflation is not a part of the pricing, and the average selling price (ASP) is kept constant throughout the forecast period for each country.​
  • Step-3: Validate and Finalize: In this important step, all market numbers, variables, and analyst calls are validated through an extensive network of primary research experts from the market studied. The respondents are selected across levels and functions to generate a holistic picture of the market studied.​
  • Step-4: Research Outputs: Syndicated Reports, Custom Consulting Assignments, Databases & Subscription Platforms.
research-methodology
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