Where’s the beef?

Canadians who’ve tried plant-based burgers like the taste, but a significant proportion question whether they can stomach the cost.

Survey results released this week by the Angus Reid Institute indicate 80% of consumers who’ve tried them enjoyed the taste of plant-based meats. However, 41% say the meat alternatives gave “poor” or “terrible” value for money.

BC residents were among the most enthusiastic consumers, however, with 88% enjoying the taste of meat alternatives and 63% saying they delivered good value.

“Vegetarians, vegans and semi-vegetarians are three times more likely than others to say meat substitutes are ‘absolutely worth the price,’” the institute’s summary of the results said. Non-vegetarians were “somewhat less convinced” of the value of the products, with just 9% saying it was “absolutely worth the price.”

BC respondents were the most likely to tell the survey that meat alternatives are here to stay, with 60% giving this opinion. Quebec was second at 59%, while the national average was 55%.

Alberta and Saskatchewan were the only provinces where a majority of respondents felt plant-based proteins were a fad that would fade with time.

Quebec and Manitoba were the provinces with the biggest proportion of respondents saying the trend towards plant-based proteins would be a net positive for Canada. Atlantic Canada and BC were the regions most unsure of the economic effects of the trend.