Agriculture / Agribusiness

BettaF!sh tuna can

© BettaF!sh

Confused By This Plant-Based Seafood Label? The European Fishing Industry Says You Are.

As consumer interest in plant-based seafood continues to rise and more innovative alternatives are hitting supermarket shelves, representatives of the commercial fishing industry in Europe are calling for “transparency” in plant-based seafood labelling. To get the full picture, we spoke with industry expert Marissa Bronfman, who described the situation that took place in Brussels last week. Conventional seafood lobbyists argue that the current regulatory framework misleads consumers on the nutritional value of products by using “fishy” terms such as ‘plant-based tuna’ or ‘vegan fish sticks’. In addition, they said that “confusing labels” could harm the fishing sector by undermining fair competition and eroding trust in the authenticity of seafood products. Following ongoing label battles in meat and alt dairy, the Spanish seafood industry made a …

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meat vs vegetables

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Plant-Based Activists Take a Seat at COP28 While Big Meat & Dairy Arrive in Full Force to Launch Counter-Attack

COP28, the United Nations’ climate conference, starts today in Dubai and will continue until December 12. And while work is being done by climate and food activists at the event to bring the urgency of addressing food system change into focus, the meat and dairy industry is in town sharpening tools in preparation for what could be effectively the biggest greenwashing operation the world has ever seen. It may come as no surprise that the event, attended by world leaders and multi-billionaires, with the UK Prime Minister, King Charles, and Foreign Secretary David Cameron all arriving in separate jets, serves as a platform for those in power and that their strategy would be galvanised this year in order to oppose those petitioning against the consumption …

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Förderkreis Team

The team © Förderkreis Biozyklisch-Veganer Anbau e. V.

Germany’s Biocyclic Vegan Agriculture Association Celebrates 5 Years of Promoting Animal-Free Farming Practices

The German Association for the Promotion of Biocyclic Vegan Agriculture, Förderkreis Biozyklisch-Veganer Anbau e.V., recently celebrated its 5th anniversary, raising awareness of the advantages of organic vegan farming.  Founded and based in Berlin, the “Förderkreis” collaborates with international partner organizations in the Biocyclic Vegan International network. Its goal is to provide education in German-speaking countries on farming without the use of commercial livestock, animal slaughter, chemical fertilizers, or animal inputs. Biocyclic Vegan Agriculture aims to establish a new human-animal relationship in the agricultural sector. The German non-profit also advises gardeners and farmers on the practices that must be followed to obtain the IFOAM-accredited Biocyclic Vegan Standard. This label identifies the products as ‘vegan from the field’.   Over the past five years, the “Förderkreis” has made significant progress in raising awareness and …

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German company Nordzucker AG announces a €100 million investment for developing plant-proteins.

© Nordzucker AG

Germany’s Nordzucker Commits Over €100M to Expand Into the Plant-Protein Market

German company Nordzucker AG, one of the world’s leading sugar companies, announces that it will invest €100 million over the next few years to develop a new business segment: plant proteins. As part of the expansion, Nordzucker AG will install a plant-based protein processing plant at the company’s site in Groß Munzel, Lower Saxony. Construction will begin in the fall of 2024 and be completed by mid-2026. According to the company, the plant will create around 60 additional jobs. “Plant-based nutrition will play an increasingly important role in the future. The market is growing rapidly. With plant-based proteins, we see a great opportunity to participate in this future market,” says Lars Gorissen, CEO of Nordzucker AG. “We are supplementing our portfolio with a product that fits in …

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Legume Generation

© IPK Leibniz Institute J. Himpe

Legume Generation: Working to Reduce the Protein Gap in Europe

According to agricultural experts, Europe needs better legumes so that farmers can meet the demand for plant protein and support a protein transition. Against this background, 50 scientists and plant breeders recently met at the Leibniz Institute for Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) in Gatersleben, Germany. They are members of the Legume Generation consortium, which recently received €7 million in funding from the European Union and the United Kingdom. The total value of the new project is 8.6 million euros. The aim of the Legume Generation project, which runs from September 2023 to February 2028, is to reduce the European protein deficit by promoting the breeding of legumes that will make European agriculture more productive and profitable. The consortium is led by Dr. …

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Benson Hill

© Benson Hill

Benson Hill Transfers Ownership of Soy Processing Facility as Part of Liquidity Improvement Plan

As part of a strategic move aligned with its Liquidity Improvement Plan, Benson Hill, a food tech company specializing in plant genetics, has finalized the transfer of ownership for its soybean crush facility in Seymour, Indiana. White River Soy Processing, LLC, is the acquiring entity, with the agreement amounting to approximately $36 million in total gross revenue. The Liquidity Improvement Plan was initiated after Benson Hill received a non-compliance notification from the New York Stock Exchange after the company’s stock had traded below $1 per share for a consecutive 30-day period. The stock price has experienced a notable decline since August, dropping to as low as $0.15 per share on October 31. As of today, the stock has shown some recovery, reaching $0.40 per share. …

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A picture of a forest taken from above, displaying in white CO2

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GHG Emissions of Meat and Dairy Giants Increase Over 3% Yearly, Shows FAIRR Protein Index

As global leaders prepare for COP28 in Dubai and with FAO revealing the “true cost of food,” data from the Coller FAIRR Protein Producer Index shows that disclosed emissions from 20 of the largest meat and dairy companies are still rising yearly.  Specifically, figures show a 3.28% rise in the emissions of suppliers to household names, including McDonald’s and Walmart, and firms such as Hormel Foods (US) and New Hope Liuhe (China).  On the other hand, the data shows that Tyson Foods and Danone reported a decrease in their disclosed emissions this year; however, the progress made by these companies has been counteracted by the sector’s total emissions, says FAIRR.  “The failure of leading meat and dairy companies to reduce emissions underlines the urgent need for more policy …

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Veganic organic tomatoes

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Veganic Summit 2023: Guiding the Transition to Sustainable Plant-Based Farming Practices

The first-ever Veganic Summit is set to initiate a shift in conventional farming and gardening practices by advocating for entirely plant-based food systems. Scheduled to take place from November 10 to 12, 2023, this 3-day online event is a collaborative initiative between the Canadian-based Veganic Agriculture Network and Learn Veganic, along with global organizations the Vegan Organic Network, Certified Veganic and Biocyclic Vegan Network. With a lineup of experienced veganic farmers and gardeners, the summit seeks to support farmers with the transition from conventional farming to veganic farming while highlighting the commercial viability of such methods. The term “veganic,” also known as “stockfree,” pertains to farming and gardening techniques that utilize solely plant-based fertilizers, eliminating the need for chemical inputs or animal byproducts such as manure or bonemeal. By adopting veganic …

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Heura Fish in wrap

Image courtesy of Heura

Plant-Based Seafood Labels Accused of Deceiving Consumers by Spain’s Seafood Industry

In yet another war against plant-based food labelling, Spain’s seafood industry has joined forces to denounce “fraud in the labelling and presentation of plant-based seafood products,” arguing that such practices confuse consumers. The coalition, also joined by the association of wholesalers, importers, exporters, and processors of seafood products Conxemar, is calling on the Ministry of Consumer Affairs to review and immediately withdraw plant-based seafood products that use fish names on their labels seeking to “deceive consumers on the nutritional value of the products,” as reported by the media.  In addition, they argue that the products do not comply with “several” European and national regulations, including unfair competition practices, advertising of food products, and food safety and nutrition. A recent USDA Spain Seafood Report 2023 says …

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A steak and bacon

© American Institute for Cancer Research

Backlash From Animal Ag Groups Forces EPA Ireland to Remove Meat Reduction Tweet

The Irish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has deleted a tweet encouraging consumers to reduce meat consumption following the adverse reaction of animal agriculture groups. The tweet advised consumers to cut down on meat by exploring vegetarian recipes and participating in meat-free Mondays. It also highlighted that 10% of purchased meat goes to waste. Accompanying the message was a meme of Samantha Jones from the television show Sex and the City, depicted with a smile and the caption “the planet when you reduce your red meat intake.” According to reports, the Irish Farmers’ Association said the tweet caused anger among farmers and asked for its immediate removal, pressuring the EPA to discuss the rationale behind its tweet and how it aligns with the EPA’s responsibilities. Dermot Kelleher, the president of …

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Future Foods installs fermentations units near farms to transform food waste into high-protein food

© Future Foods

Future Foods Reveals Protein Fermentation Units to Combat Food Waste

Future Foods, which has been working on a trade secret micro fermentation unit, has officially launched its website and services, revealing an innovative strategy to reduce food waste and develop high-quality protein food and animal feed. Dr. Darren Burke, a science-based entrepreneur and the visionary behind Future Foods, claims he has developed fermentation protocols that transform “cosmetically rejected” vegetables into valuable food products to empower the next generation of sustainable farmers. Calling its solution “from farm to ferment,” Future Foods provides farmers with micro fermentation units, installed in upcycled shipping containers, fully equipped with everything needed to turn discarded vegetables into alternative protein. The company describes it as a simple, convenient, and sustainable solution to address food waste, greenhouse gas emissions, and the economic struggles …

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herd of cows eating hay in cowshed on dairy farm

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$7.3 Trillion Investor Group Urges G20 to Reform “Harmful” Agricultural Subsidies

An investor coalition managing $7.3 trillion in assets has signed a statement urging the G20 group to reform “harmful” agricultural subsidies by 2030 to transition to net zero GHG emissions and restore nature by 2050.  Backed by 32 investors, including Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) and French financial company BNP Paribas, this initiative represents the coalition’s first effort before the G20 summit in India this September. Also, it’s the latest policy engagement from the $70 trillion-backed FAIRR Initiative, which has been warning of an “Apollo 13” moment for the meat and dairy industry since last year. Jeremy Coller, founder of FAIRR, said: “Globally, governments are setting bold climate and nature goals, but in the same breath are undermining those ambitions with almost $500 billion in harmful …

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Calamari rings

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Scientists Develop 3D-Printed Calamari Rings from Microalgae and Mung Bean Protein

Researchers at the National University of Singapore have developed vegan calamari rings using microalgae, mung bean proteins, and 3D printing technology. They claim that the new vegan calamari rings are tasty, high in protein, and have the potential for commercialization. The team, which aims to create alternative proteins to address overfishing and food security, unveiled their NPD at the American Chemical Society (ACS) Fall 2023. “We need to be prepared from an alternative protein point of view, especially here in Singapore, where over 90% of the fish is imported,” said Poornima Vijayan, a graduate student presenting the work at ACS. Starting with calamari According to Huang Dejian, the project’s lead researcher, plant-based options for seafood frequently fall short in terms of nutritional value, taste, and …

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Lupini or sweet lupin beans

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Is Lupin the Next Big Plant Protein? Newly Found Gene in Sweet Lupin Opens Doors for High-Protein Crops

An international team of researchers recently identified the “sweetness gene” responsible for low alkaloid levels (not bitter) in lupins. This discovery could accelerate the development of new bitter-free crops and another protein source for plant-based foods.  A legume from the family Fabaceae, Lupin rivals soybean in protein content (44%). They are high in fiber and low in sugars. Moreover, lupin crops are climate tolerant and have a great potential to recover poor soils. But this legume naturally accumulates bitter and toxic alkaloids unpleasant for the human palate. For decades, farmers have grown a sweet lupin variety at a small scale since crops can cross-pollinate and produce bitter lupins. But with this game-changing gene, farmers can grow sweet white lupin continuously and domesticate wilder varieties with …

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FAO soybean project funded by Japan launched in Ghana

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FAO Initiative Aims to Unlock the Potential of the Ghanaian Soybean Industry

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recently launched a project in Ghana to help farmers increase their soybean production, improve their post-harvest technologies, and develop land.  The initiative, funded by the Government of Japan, will receive US$600,000 to strengthen the legume’s entire value chain and address the country’s food and nutrition security challenges. The project is part of One Country, One Priority Product (OCOP), an FAO initiative to help African countries develop sustainable and environmentally friendly value chains for specific agricultural products. Dr. Yurdi Yasmi, regional representative of the FAO in Ghana, said that alongside the project, the FAO would raise awareness of the consumption of soybeans and their potential to reduce malnutrition, as reported by The B&FT Online.  “I appreciate the …

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soybean field, agricultural landscape

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Biotech Startup Amfora and AI Company McClintock Partner to Meet Sustainable Plant-Protein Demand With Improved Soy Crops

US biotech startup Amfora and McClintock LLC, an AI startup focused on agriculture, have announced a strategic collaboration to improve the protein content of certain varieties of soy and their crops’ yield.  The collaboration aims to create a scalable, low-cost, high-density source of plant protein ingredients for the alt protein sector by combining each company’s specialized science and tools. “Our protein-rich crops will enable the manufacturers of plant-based meat, dairy, and seafood to meet the growing consumer demand for their products at lower costs while allowing them to take meaningful steps to address the climate crisis,” said Dr. Michael Lassner, CSO of Amfora. “Together, we are working to develop soybean varieties that not only provide high yields but also meet the increasing demand for protein-rich crops …

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Prairie Pulse facility in Vanscoy, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Image credit: Prairie Pulse LinkedIn

ADM Acquires Canada’s Processor Prairie Pulse to Meet Growing Plant Protein Demand

Agribusiness leader ADM (NYSE: ADM) announces it has acquired Prairie Pulse Inc.,a locally operated lentil and pulse crop processor in Vanscoy, Saskatchewan, Canada, that works purchasing directly from Canadian farmers. ADM is expanding its North American footprint to supply the growing demand for pulse products by further enhancing its capability. Prairie Pulse’s operations involve 12,000 MT of bulk storage, cleaning, milling, sorting, sizing, and bagging. It doubles ADM’s supplying offer to produce shelf and alt protein products for domestic and international markets.  “This addition also expands our capabilities to meet the needs of our downstream customers, who are increasingly looking at pulses as protein sources for both human and animal nutrition products,” comments Aaron Brown, commercial manager at ADM. Increasing demand The key factor driving the …

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Bunge to build soy protein concentrate facility

© Bunge

Bunge Breaks Ground on $500M Facility to Supply Soy Protein for Plant-Based Foods Market

Global agribusiness firm Bunge announces it has begun construction on a new $500M soybean processing facility in Morristown, Indiana. Opening in mid-2025, the “fully integrated” plant will produce soy protein concentrates and textured soy protein concentrates for the plant-based foods market.  The new facility is adjacent to Bunge’s existing soybean processing plant in Morristown, which focuses on processing soy for animal feed and byproducts like soybean oil. Once operational, the new plant will employ 70 workers and be able to process 4.5 million bushels of soybeans every year.  According to Aaron Buettner, president of food solutions at Bunge, the success of Bunge’s first processing plant influenced the company to re-invest in the Morristown community.  “It’s really the relationship that we have with community and the …

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revyve's healthy foods made with BSY proteins

© revyve

Upcycling: 7 Companies Redirecting Byproducts to Create Waste-Free Ingredients

On a planet with a growing population and limited resources, many companies are redirecting industry byproducts such as sesame, spent brewer’s yeast, barley, oats, and forest industry side streams into a new generation of high-quality plant-based ingredients and foods. The upcycled trend is gaining traction and according to Upcycle Trade Association (UFA), in the US alone, the upcycled foods market is expected to grow to $80 billion by 2032. Let’s take a look at the latest developments involving partnerships or investments that are making it possible to bring these novel products to market. Sesame The Planting Hope Company ©Planting Hope US producer, The Planting Hope Company, uses wasted sesame from the oil industry to make the ‘world’s first’ milk Upcycled Certified by UFA. According to …

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Jeremy Coller headshot

Jeremy Coller, image supplied

Jeremy Coller White Paper Calls for “Ever-Green Revolution” to End Factory Farming

A new white paper released by the Jeremy Coller Foundation argues that the Green Revolution is no longer working and must give way to a more sustainable system. The Revolution was a period of initiatives that greatly increased agricultural production, and began as a way to address hunger after the Second World War. But though it succeeded in the short-term, the Foundation argues that there are long-term unintended consequences. In particular, higher crop yields have made it possible to produce ever more meat and dairy products, fuelling a level of demand described as “unhealthy”. In turn, this has paved the way for factory farming, which has huge environmental consequences such as excessive water use, high levels of greenhouse emissions, and pollution. Intensive farming is also …

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