A recent study in partnership with HappyCow, a popular resource for vegan dining options, has unveiled exciting statistics about the surge in vegan restaurants across Latin America. Veganuary has compiled these rankings, revealing that the region now hosts over 10,000 establishments catering to vegan, vegetarian, and vegan-friendly diets. This increase of more than 1,700 eateries compared to last year represents an impressive growth rate of 21.6%.
Highlights from Country Rankings
Brazil tops the list with 2,953 vegan-friendly restaurants, making it the leading nation for such dining options. Mexico, close on Brazil’s heels with 2,920 establishments, claims the title for the most fully vegan eateries. Colombia holds the third position, while Chile has shown remarkable progress, boasting a 27.7% increase in vegan-friendly venues, adding nearly 200 new restaurants over the past year. Additionally, the top ten list is rounded out by Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay, Bolivia, and Paraguay.
Mauricio Serrano, Veganuary’s director for Latin America, commented on the study’s promising insights, stressing not only the strong rankings of these countries but also the extensive variety of vegan choices available throughout the region. This diversity can greatly aid the millions of individuals eager to partake in Veganuary’s plant-based movement.
City Rankings Insights
Sao Paulo leads as the premier city for vegan restaurants, followed by the vibrant Mexico City. Notably, Mexico City made its first appearance in the global rankings by HappyCow last year, landing at eighth among the top vegan cities worldwide. Santiago comes next in the rankings, while Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro hold the fourth and fifth positions, respectively. Bogotá has slipped to sixth, and Lima and Brasilia claim the seventh and eighth spots. Additionally, Medellín has moved up to ninth place, and Tulum makes its debut in tenth.
Eric Brent, founder of HappyCow, addressed the challenges faced by vegan restaurants globally in recent years. Despite economic pressures that have led to declines in major cities, he pointed out that Mexico City continues to thrive. He wrapped up by affirming that globally, the interest in vegan options and plant-based products is on a remarkable rise, underscoring the potential for continued growth in the sector.
Source: Vegconomist