Plant-based news – January 2026

January 2026 once again confirmed that Veganuary is no longer a short-term campaign, but a strategic moment for retailers and brands across Europe. Lidl’s actions across multiple markets were widely picked up by plant-based media, showing how seriously the category is now treated at retail level. Alongside private label expansion, branded players pushed protein, functionality, and fermentation to the forefront.

1. Lidl Germany: The German market saw a strong mix of everyday and indulgent vegan SKUs, including vegan apricot cookies with coconut, vegan crispies in curry and western styles, a camembert-style alternative, and a classic vegan block. The range clearly targets flexitarians looking for familiar formats with a plant-based upgrade.

2. Lidl Austria: Austria leaned into both bakery-style products and protein-forward innovation. New launches included vegan pumpkin and spinach pastries, cashew spreads (beetroot and mango-curry), a high-protein cashew pudding in choco-caramel flavour, and a Vemondo vegan tiramisu positioned as an accessible dessert option for Veganuary.

3. Lidl Italy: In Italy, the focus was on convenience and everyday cooking. The Veganuary lineup featured Vemondo vegan pancake mix, vegetable cold cuts in pollo-style and mortadella-style variants, and grill sticks designed to fit into familiar Italian meal occasions.

4. Lidl Netherlands: The Dutch assortment stood out for its breadth and trend focus. New products included kimchi konjac noodles (Asia Green Garden), vegan empanadas, sausage-style rolls, vegan currywurst (mild and spicy), pumpkin-filled pastry swirls, and cashew spreads available in four flavours. One of the most comprehensive Lidl plant-based ranges seen this Veganuary.

5. Planton (Magda plant-based): Introduced a new raspberry-flavoured gut kefir: lightly fermented, refreshing, with no added sugar, and positioned around microbiome support. Fermented, functional plant-based drinks continue to move into the mainstream.

6. Dobra Kaloria (Good Calories): Expanded its plant-based protein snack portfolio with mini protein bars in two new flavours: lemon cheesecake and banoffee. With a low glycaemic index (GI 36) and a solid dose of plant protein, the range is now available in Lidl Poland.

7. Lindt Lindor: Announced the upcoming rollout of vegan Lindor truffles across Germany via Rewe. The oat- and almond-based pralines will be sold in an 8-piece pack priced at around €7, marking another step for premium confectionery in the plant-based space.

8. Frank&Oli: Debuted new soft-baked cookie flavours aimed at matcha lovers: matcha with white chocolate and matcha with white chocolate & raspberry. Indulgent, texture-driven, and clearly flavour-first. Tested and approved by admin!

9. Violife: Entered the sweet spread segment in Poland with a new creamy strawberry-flavoured spread, now available in Kaufland. Another signal that plant-based brands are expanding beyond savoury-only alternatives.

10. Plenty Reasons / Bezmięsny: Launched FUDO – a plant-based protein block based on pea protein and superfoods (pumpkin seeds, flaxseed, sunflower seeds, vegetables). Free from soy and wheat, offering 16.9 g protein per 100 g, with a neutral flavour and elastic structure designed for culinary flexibility.

11. Alpro: Rolled out “Meal to Go” in four flavours: chocolate & banana, vanilla, coffee & caramel, and mango & passionfruit. Each bottle delivers 20 g of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and 26 vitamins and minerals, reinforcing the move toward complete, functional plant-based meal solutions.

Veganuary 2026 reinforces a clear direction for the category: scalable private-label execution, protein-forward innovation, fermented and functional products, and growing confidence in plant-based as a default choice rather than a niche. January may be the ideal trigger!