ISM vegetarian and vegan is a progressive trend

The International Confectionery trade fair (ISM) in Cologne, Germany see vegetarian and vegan as progressive trends on this years event at the end of January. In Germany, 7.8 million people are vegetarians and around one million people are vegan, according to the German Vegetarian Association (VEBU). The figures are also relevant in other countries. According to the European Vegetarian Union (EVU), two percent of the population in Belgium is vegetarian. In Austria it is three percent, in Switzerland five and in the USA four percent. In India the number of vegetarians is traditionally particularly high. Here, an estimated 20 to 40 percent of the people are vegetarian. The fact that on top of this many flexitarians are interested in vegetarian and vegan food and beverages, has contributed towards both food trends making a lasting impression on the retail trade and the food service sector.