"According to the GFI Europe analysis, which tracked prices throughout the first quarter of 2026, plant-based mince is now 29 per cent cheaper than the animal-based equivalent. The difference is even more pronounced in the freezer and chilled aisles for meatballs, where meat-free versions are a staggering 41 per cent less expensive.
This shift comes at a time when traditional meat production is becoming increasingly costly. Data from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board indicates that beef prices rose by over 10 per cent in late April compared to the previous year, with lean beef mince specifically jumping by nearly 23 per cent.
These hikes are attributed to a ‘perfect storm’ of environmental and geopolitical factors, including last year’s droughts, which stifled grass growth and forced farmers to rely on expensive, cereal-based feed."
