A record number of people around the world participated in Veganuary this year. Nearly 630,000 signed up for the challenge, with many more thought to have gone meat-free for the month on their own. That number is a staggering rise from just 5 years ago when the number was 50,000.

We think this is a very positive sign that people across the globe understand that the time to reduce (and hopefully eliminate) animal-based products from our diet has arrived. A few of the results stand out to us as eye-opening.

First, our own home base Mexico had the 6th largest number of participants in Veganuary, a jump from #9 last year. We think many Veganuary followers thought the lion’s share of participants might come from European or Middle Eastern countries, so our homeland placing so high on this list is a testament to the conviction that those of us in Mexico have for a more sustainable, healthy, cruelty-free lifestyle.

Furthermore, if you look at the Top 10 countries on the list you’ll find that not only did Mexico fare well but other Central and South American countries made the list as well. Argentina (#7), Colombia (8th), Chile (9th) and Brazil (10th) made the Top 10, showing that there is a strong desire for plant-based versions of foods that residents in these countries have grown up with. 

Lastly, a round of applause for our neighbors to the north. For the first time in Veganuary’s history, the U.S. has overtaken the U.K. for the largest number of Veganuary participants. 

Thanks to these Veganuary statistics, it should be abundantly clear that there is a vast white space out there for plant-based versions of authentic Latin American foods. And that’s what we’re all about at Asanté.