Heura closes Series B round, forming plant-based alliance

© Heura

Heura Announces €38.3M Turnover and 63% Growth in International Sales

Spanish plant-based food startup Heura has announced that its turnover reached €38.3 million in 2023, while international sales rose by a huge 63%. In France, growth was particularly significant at 88%. A partnership with supermarket chain Waitrose allowed Heura to increase its presence in the UK, and the brand saw double-digit growth in all the other European markets where it has a presence. The announcement comes after Heura raised €40 million in Series B funding, in what was claimed to be the largest plant-based funding round of 2023. Among the investors was Upfield, which will work with Heura on a food tech collaboration. All the investors in the round will also join a board that aims to accelerate the transition to a sustainable food system. …

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© Alexandre Bompard

Carrefour Exceeds Target for Sales of Plant-Based Alternatives With €514M Turnover

French multinational supermarket chain Carrefour — one of the world’s largest retailers — has reported that it made €514 million in sales of plant-based alternatives last year, exceeding its target of €500 million by 2026. The plant-based alternatives category includes meat and dairy substitutes, as well as legumes. The latter were recently added to the scope following requests from stakeholders, and accounted for €142 million in sales in 2023. Carrefour has now increased its plant-based sales target to $650 million by 2026. The supermarket chain has also reported that 306 suppliers were part of its Food Transition Pact last year, up from 204 in 2022. The pact helps suppliers to become more sustainable through measures such as boosting biodiversity, offering healthier choices, and removing unnecessary …

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Ingredion factory workers

© Ingredion

Ingredion Named as a Top Employer 2024 in Germany and UK

Ingredion, an ingredient producer with a global presence, focused on non-GMO sweeteners, stevia, and pea protein, announces that it has been recognised as a Top Employer in the UK and Germany, having been rewarded the Top Employer accolade for both countries for the second year. The Top Employer programme has seen 2,300 employers recognised in 121 countries or regions across the world. Being certified as a Top Employer recognises an organisation’s dedication to creating a better world of work, demonstrated through a commitment to excellent Human Resources policies and people practices. In Europe, Ingredion demonstrates its commitment to its values through an inclusive and supportive workplace through various programmes such as wellbeing initiatives and training sessions spanning health and safety topics such as safe driving …

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Birdman love animals eat plants

© Birdman

Mexican Plant Protein Company Birdman Surpasses $65M in Sales

Lever VC, a venture capital firm focused on the future of protein, has increased its equity stake in Birdman, a leading plant-based protein company in Mexico set to expand into the US, as the company experiences a significant surge in sales. This investment comes as Birdman demonstrates impressive sales performance, achieving a $65 million sales run rate amidst a challenging economic landscape. Founded in 2016 in Guadalajara, Mexico, Birdman rapidly bootstrapped to $15 million in sales by 2021, prior to attracting its first external funding. The company’s plant-based protein powders and supplements have gained popularity across Mexico, surpassing industry averages in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) sector, with EBITDA margins exceeding 35%. According to Nick Cooney, managing partner at Lever VC, which expanded its equity …

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Recipe box provider Gousto plant-based meals

© Gousto

Recipe Box Provider Gousto Sees Meatless Meal Sales Double Within Four Years

UK-based recipe box provider Gousto has released its 2024 Food Trends report, which reveals that the company’s sales of meatless meals have doubled in the past four years. Additionally, Gousto told Wales Online that 23% of meal orders were plant-based in 2023, with this figure even higher in some areas. The highest proportion of plant-based meals was ordered in the following towns and cities: London – 32.5% Harrow – 31% Brighton – 30% Bristol – 28.2% Cambridge – 27.3% Edinburgh – 26.8% Watford – 26.3% Oxford – 26.3% Truro – 26.1% Southall – 25.9%. “Flexitarianism and the rise of plant-based meals have been some of the most important food trends of 2023,” says the Food Trends report. Plant-based meal kits Recipe kits rose in popularity …

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The founding team of Infinite Roots

The founding team of Infinite Roots (from left to right) Mazen Rizk, Cathy Preißer and Thibault Godard © Infinite Roots

Mushlabs Becomes Infinite Roots, Plans to Pioneer New Era of Sustainable Foodtech

Hamburg biotech company Mushlabs announces its new corporate brand: Mushlabs will become Infinite Roots, with the transformation representing a deeper commitment to food security and sustainability and reinforcing the company’s commitment to promoting healthier diets and a healthier planet. As a specialist in mushroom mycelium-based nutrition, Infinite Roots supports the sustainable revolution in food production. According to the company, the new brand development symbolizes the transition from an emerging startup phase to a mature corporate era. Three years ago the company raised $10 million in Series A to upscale production to industrial level, stating its vision to “bring about a meaningful and lasting change to our food system”. Further to this mission, Infinite Roots says that its new identity seeks to reflect the essence of …

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SunOpta 50 Anniversary

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SunOpta Marks 50-Year Milestone in Plant-Based Food Production

SunOpta, a US-based food and beverage company specializing in sustainable plant-based beverages and ingredients, is marking its 50th anniversary by reflecting on its five-decade journey. Established in 1973 under the name StakeTech, the company initially focused on biomass conversion for animal feed. Over the years, it underwent strategic shifts, entering diverse sectors like industrial minerals and eventually moving into the natural and organic foods industry. In 2003, StakeTech rebranded as SunOpta to reflect its commitment to producing plant-based products with ingredients grown using the sun.  The company first entered the soy milk market over two decades ago and proceeded to execute 37 acquisitions in the food and beverage sector between 2000 and 2015, including Simply Organic, Pacific Food Processors, and multiple processing facilities, which are …

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Veganuary participants

© Veganuary

80% of Veganuary Participants Have Reduced Their Animal Product Consumption by Over 50%

Veganuary, the campaign encouraging people to try a vegan diet for the month of January, has published the results of its six-month follow-up survey for 2023. 98% of Veganuary participants said they were eating fewer animal products than before they took part in the campaign, while 80% had reduced their animal product consumption by 50% or more. 28% had opted to remain fully vegan; the biggest motivator for this group was learning more about veganism, followed by discovering that being vegan was easier than expected. Better health was also an important factor, with over 60% of participants seeing improvements in this area. 58% had more energy, 51% said their skin appearance had improved, and 43% saw a positive impact on their body weight. Of those …

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Actual Veggie Burgers Expand Report 300% growth

©Actual Veggies

Actual Veggies Reports Over 300% Growth in Past Year, Expands into Whole Foods Markets

US veggie burger brand Actual Veggies announces it has achieved a stunning 338.2% growth in the past year, driven by its online presence and expansion into major retailers. The brand will continue its momentum by unveiling new packaging and launching frozen veggie burgers in a new 4-pack format at Whole Foods Markets. Founded in 2020, Actual Veggies has gained a loyal following for its line of clean-label, chef-crafted burgers made with only whole vegetables, grains, and spices. After appearing on the QVC home shopping channel, the company sold $75,000 worth of products in under eight minutes and has since expanded its retail distribution to thousands of major retail locations, including Kroger, Costo, and The Fresh Market.  Actual Veggies reports it earned $1M in revenue in …

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pink albatross

©pink albatross

Spain’s Pink Albatross Exceeds 2,000 Points of Sale, Expects to Turnover €1.1 million This Year

Pink Albatross, the Spanish 100% plant-based ice cream company, announces that its distribution has multiplied this season and it has managed to expand into more than 10 new retail outlets. In addition, the company has stated that it expects to reach a turnover of 1.1 million euros by end of 2023. The points of sale where these ice creams can be purchased are in all Carrefour locations entailing more than 200 hypermarkets; in around 60 Eroski, Caprabo and Familia shops; and in more than 105 Bon Preu and Esclat supermarkets. Pink Albatross products have also entered more than 160 points of sale of Supermercados MAS and Cash Fresh, of the Sevillian group Hermanos Martín; in 44 Hiper Usera shops, in an in&out in around 60 …

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Vitasoy

© Vitasoy

Vitasoy Recovers From Last Year’s Losses to Record HK$104M Profit

Hong Kong-based plant milk brand Vitasoy has published positive results for the financial year 2022/2023, after turning around previous losses. The company recorded a profit from operations of HK$104 million for the year ending in March, compared to a loss of HK$213 million in FY 2021/2022. This was achieved in spite of the increased cost of energy and raw materials, mainly due to cost rationalizations in mainland China and an increase in government subsidies in Hong Kong. Results by region Vitasoy continues to lead the Chinese soymilk market, and registered an operating profit of RMB40 million this year versus a loss of RMB280 million in FY2021/2022. However, revenue dropped slightly by 2%. The company’s Australia and New Zealand operation saw a 3% revenue increase, with …

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Renegade Foods sampler set

© Renegade Foods

Renegade Foods Triples Production of Vegan Charcuterie Products Just Months After “Game-Changing” Launch

Berkeley, CA-based Renegade Foods, a producer of plant-based charcuterie products like salami, chorizo, and sobrasada, announces it has tripled its production capabilities amid increased consumer demand. Co-founder and CEO Iona Campbell states that the brand’s “commitment to creating delicious food leveraging age-old techniques and high-quality ingredients” is fueling company growth. Launched in 2019 by Campbell and Co-founder Kalie Marder, Renegade Foods today reports the addition of more than 20 new accounts following the launch of an “industry first” shelf-stable, vegan salami that can be stored, shipped and merchandised without the need for refrigeration. Furthermore, the company says it has eliminated 80% of its packaging, while dramatically reducing shipping costs.    Since the announcement in March of the shelf-stable sausage, Renegade says it has achieved more than …

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Barvecue Plant-Based Pulled Pork

©Barvecue

Barvecue Announces B Corp Certification and Revised Branding

North Carolina plant meat producer Barvecue announces it has achieved B Corp certification, which it says reflects its positive commitment to corporate development and governance. The news closely follows Barvecue’s announcement of the closing of its seed round with the funds invested to support continued growth of its retail and foodservice business and the maintenance of its Carolina Smokehouse production facility. Barvecue joins B Corp community of 6,300+ To become a certified B Corporation, companies undergo an assessment of the impact of their operations and business model on their employees, customers, communities, and the environment. In doing so, they must achieve a minimum score of 80 points on the B Impact Assessment. Barvecue announces that it has achieved an overall score of 111.9 with the …

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Just EGG on top of chicken egg carton

©JUST Egg

JUST Egg Reports 14% YOY Retail and Food Service Growth in US

Leading plant-based egg brand JUST Egg announces it has expanded its US retail and food service distribution by 14% since last year. Halfway into 2023, the company reports a “significant increase” of 1,000 new Walmart locations and 800 Kroger stores carrying JUST Egg products, as well as 1,500 food service locations.  Large retail growth Compared to 2022, JUST Egg’s plant-based eggs can be found in 14% more retail locations across the US, according to Nielsen data. These include Walmart, of which 1,000 new stores added JUST Egg’s pourable liquid scramble, while another 1,000 began stocking the popular JUST Egg Folded this year. In May, the company expanded JUST Egg Folded to 800 Kroger stores.  In addition to retail, JUST Egg has accelerated its reach in …

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magnum sea salt caramel

© Magnum/Unilever

Unilever Aims for €1.5Bn in Sales From Plant-Based Products by 2025

Multinational consumer goods producer Unilever has revealed that it aims to achieve €1.5 billion in sales from plant-based products by 2025. The target is part of Unilever’s goals to reduce its carbon emissions and sustainably feed a growing population. At the recent BusinessWorld Economic Forum, Kristine A. Go — general manager for nutrition at Unilever Southeast Asia — outlined a food technology wheel developed by the company’s Netherlands-based Food Innovation Centre. The wheel is made up of six health and sustainability strategies: Natural and nutritious food — Fortifying Unilever products with nutrients, which will be tailored to the dietary needs of specific countries. Microstructure and textures — Creating plant-based products that replicate the texture of animal products. Culinary experiences — Ensuring vegan products taste like …

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abillion vegan app

© abillion

abillion Celebrates Fifth Anniversary, Surpassing $2.8M in Donations & 1M Downloads

Sustainability platform abillion is celebrating its five-year anniversary, along with the achievement of a number of significant milestones. The abillion app has now been downloaded a million times, while the company has broken records by donating over $2.8 million to global impact partners in more than 180 countries worldwide. These donations have helped to create impact for animals, children, and the environment. abillion has also raised over $17 million of investment since its inception, recently closing its first ever community investment round where 290 members worldwide invested over $500,000. The company has grown by 20 times over the past two years. “At abillion, we’re working to inspire people to discover purpose and values through the things all of us do every day,” says founder and …

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Chocolate peanut bar by Veganz

© Veganz

Veganz Publishes Annual Report 2022

Veganz Group of Berlin, like most businesses, had to contend with the ongoing economic weakness in 2022: after the focus of food retailing and the discount sector in the first months of the year was on ensuring basic supplies for the population, the young core target group in particular (Generation Z and Millennials+) was most recently heavily impacted by price increases in view of their comparatively low income. Overall, this development made it more difficult to relist Veganz products and implement promotional measures, and led to a decline in sales for Veganz Group AG to EUR 23.6 million (previous year: EUR 30.4 million). In contrast, the number of points of sale (“POS”) as of December 31, 2022 increased to 28,217 (December 31, 2021: 25,199) – …

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Else Nutrition Baby Cereal

©Else Nutrition

Else Nutrition’s Vegan Cereals For Babies & Toddlers Now Available in 7,000 CVS Stores

Else Nutrition recently announced that two of its products — Baby Super Cereal and Toddler Organic — are now listed in more than 7,000 CVS Pharmacies, the largest pharmacy chain in the US. Additionally, itss Toddler and Kids Shake SKUs are now avilable at 440 Loblaws stores, Canada’s largest retailer, as of last month. This expansion follows the successful launch of Toddler Organic in 1,040 retail stores in September 2022. Else’s Baby Super Cereal is the number one most popular baby cereal on Amazon, according to the company, and is also the first Clean Label Purity Award-winning cereal product for babies without heavy metals in the United States. The cereals have Clean Label certification contain no animal ingredients, no soy and no gluten. According to …

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Happyvore pack shot

©Happyvore

France: HappyVore Reaches 2nd Place in Plant-Based Deli Category

HappyVore reports it has risen to 2nd place in the French plant-based delicatessen department. As the leading contributor to the growth of the plant-based delicatessen category, the French SME has posted a +40.2% growth in value sales (January-March 2023 vs. October-December 2022). HappyVore has now reached 9.3% of the value market share (January-March 2023), moving up to 2nd place, just behind the Nestlé brand Garden Gourmet. Since its creation, HappyVore has continued to innovate in favor of a change in the consumption habits of the French, with tasty products that replicate animal meat in flavor and texture, without compromising on taste. Additionally, according to the firm Agrosolutions, a HappyVore product emits on average 12 times less kg of CO2 equivalent and requires 2.8 times less …

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NOMO No Missing Out

© NOMO

NOMO Launches Vegan Cookie Dough Bar, Reports Valuation of Over £9.5M

UK vegan chocolate brand NOMO announces the launch of the Cookie Dough Bar and reports impressive growth figures. NOMO is now worth £9,523,446, making it the UK’s top vegan and free-from chocolate brand. This figure is up 22.3% compared to a year ago. The company is double the size of its nearest competitor, and accounts for 16% of the UK vegan and free-from chocolate category, according to the founders. NOMO’s new bar features cookie dough encased in vegan milk chocolate, and is the brand’s biggest bar yet, making it ideal for sharing. The launch is a response to the success of NOMO’s seasonal cookie dough products; the Cookie Dough Reindeer was the best-selling free from impulse buy in its debut year, while the Cookie Dough …

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