Determinants of plant-based protein consumption: A global panel data analysis with Driscoll and Kraay estimator

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Gangren Zhang 1
Sahar Erfanian 1
Arash Dourandish 2
Afsaneh Nikoukar 3
Milad Aminizadeh 2
1 Business School, Huanggang Normal University, Huanggang, Hubei, China.
2 Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Islamic Republic of Iran.
3 Department of Agriculture, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Abstract
Promoting sustainable, healthy, and nutritious diets is essential for improving public health and transitioning toward more sustainable food systems. A global shift from animal-based to plant-based proteins is increasingly recognized as a key strategy in this regard. However, empirical evidence on the main determinants of plant-based protein consumption at the global level remains scarce. This study investigates the key factors associated with plant-based protein consumption across 165 countries over the period 2001–2022, using a fixed-effects panel data model with Driscoll–Kraay standard errors. The results indicate that income, population aging, internet access, and globalization are positively associated with plant-based protein consumption, while inflation and animal protein consumption show negative associations. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that urbanization and income act as barriers to plant-based consumption in high-income countries, whereas population growth has a negative association in low- and middle-income countries. A series of robustness checks, including Winsorization, lagged specifications, and quadratic and regional controls, confirm the stability of these findings. These results highlight the context-dependent nature of dietary transitions and underscore the need for targeted, income-specific policy approaches.
Keywords
DKSE method
Plant-based proteins
Panel data analysis
Income level heterogeneity analysis
Sustainable consumption
Subjects
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Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 27 June 2026