Rügenwalder Mühle

©Rügenwalder Mühle

How Famed Meat Manufacturer Rügenwalder Mühle Became the German Market Leader for Meat Alternatives

Germany’s Rügenwalder Mühle, a well-known meat manufacturer which began with the production of animal meat in 1834 and initially dipped its toes into the plant-based category in 2014, is now the German market leader in meat alternatives, and even entered the cultivated space late last year (telling vegconomist way back in 2018 that Clean Meat, as it was termed at the time, was the future). In 2019, the previously meat-focused company reported that its entrance into plant-based had led to a notable uptick in revenues, and by 2020 it had seen a 50% increase in sales of meat-free products and invested a total of € 5.5 million to expand production capacities for same. Actively shaping the market Just a year later, Rügenwalder shared that its …

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PlantPlus Foods' products

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Meat Giant Spinoff Predicts Resurgence of the Plant-Based Meat Sector

After an initial period of rapid, over-hyped, VC-backed growth, plant-based meat sales have slowed in many markets, in line with the current economic environment. Still, PlantPlus Foods, a joint venture between Marfrig (the second-largest beef producer in Brazil after JBS) and US agribusiness ADM, predicts that demand for alt meat will grow as food inflation relaxes and vegan products become more affordable, tastier, and offer more variety. To reignite the trend, companies must invest in developing better and more varied products in terms of taste, nutrition, and price. Alt meats have struggled to compete with animal meat products due to their higher price and waning consumer curiosity, John Pinto, CEO of PlantPlus Foods, told Bloomberg. $30 billion in a decade PlantPlus expects global plant-based food sales to …

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Komo Plant-Based Meal Line

©Komo Plant-Based Foods

Komo Partners with Natural Distributor Koyo Foods to Expand in Eastern Canada

Canada’s Komo Plant-Based Foods (CSE: YUM) announces it has partnered with Koyo Foods Inc., one of the largest distributors of health foods in Eastern Canada.  Through the partnership, Komo’s line of plant-based comfort foods, including Mac ‘n Greens, lasagna, and shepherd’s pie, will be added to Koyo’s distribution portfolio to reach more Eastern Canada consumers. Based in Vancouver, Komo Foods develops, manufactures and sells a variety of plant-based frozen meals based on classic meaty and cheesy dishes. Along with Mac and Greens, the company’s flagship products include chickenless pot pie and a line of Plant-Based Meal Helpers. The company states its mission is to help make healthy meals a staple on every dinner, and that its products are free from preservatives and frozen for freshness. Whole …

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Unconventional burger, winner of abillion's plant-based burger awards

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abillion Announces the World’s 10 Best Plant-Based Burgers 2023

abillion recently announced the winners of the World’s 10 Best Plant-Based Burgers 2023. The awards recognize the best vegan products and dishes worldwide based on over 1.95 million independent reviews by vegans and non-vegans on the abillion app. This year, abillion is celebrating its fifth anniversary, along with the achievement of many significant milestones. Its app has been downloaded a million times, and the company has broken records by donating over $2.8 million to global impact partners in more than 180 countries worldwide.  Vegan foods are on the rise, but how do you know what’s best? says abillion. Let’s take a look at these year’s best burgers: 1. Classic Burger by Unconventional (Italy)  Unconventional, the Italian plant-based brand behind which also won last year’s world’s number-one plant-based burger, offers …

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EAT HAPPY instore sushi concept

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EAT HAPPY Trials Vegan Fish Sushi in Austria Where Vegan Diet is “Rising Steadily”

EAT HAPPY, an in-store sushi concept and leading supplier of Asian convenience products in mainland Europe, launches three plant-based fish sushi products, stating that the company sees the “proportion of those people who eat a purely vegan diet rising steadily in Austria”. The products being trialed at four initial test markets in Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck are Vegan Salmon Nigiri, Vegan Salmon Maki, and Vegan Tuna California. The vegan sushi products are set to expand nationally throughout Austria after the test phase. EAT HAPPY’s plant-based offerings EAT HAPPY is represented in more than 3,000 locations in stationary food retailers throughout Europe and operates 50 EAT HAPPY Shops as well as in more than 1,000 chests at stores such as Billa and Spar. Last May, the …

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Beyond Meat Smashable Burger

© Beyond Meat

Alt Meats Approach Price Parity in France as Beyond Meat Becomes 40% Cheaper

New figures from France suggest that plant-based meats are close to price parity with conventional meat, as high inflation amongst other factors continues to affect the price of animal products. According to market analyst Xerfi, meat alternatives have been less affected by rising costs, due to increased economies of scale and the compression of margins. In fact, the prices of some plant-based meats have actually fallen, despite inflation, mirroring a GFI report from April in which data from 13 countries demonstrated that the prices of these foods have been less affected by inflation than conventional animal products. For example, Beyond Meat’s burgers dropped from €27 to €16.34 per kilogram between 2020 and 2023 — a 40% reduction that brings them close to price parity. Meanwhile, …

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Monde Nissin Australia launches a new range of deli meat slices called Deli-Licious

Image credit: Mondo Nissin Australia LinkedIn

Monde Nissin Australia Launches Deli-Licious Meat Slices into Coles

FMCG company Monde Nissin Australia has moved further into the plant-based market with the launch of a new vegan-friendly deli meat brand called Deli-Licious into Coles supermarkets. Described as a delicious source of proteins without added preservatives, artificial flavours, or colours, the Deli-Licious range includes Ham Style, Chicken Style, and Hungarian Salami. “We are incredibly excited and proud to bring Australian consumers a new way to lunch with the launch of Deli-licious™, a range of tasty deli meat slices that are plant-based and 100% Deli-Licious, as the name suggests,” Monde Nissin stated. Reducing meat consumption Monde Nissin Australia is home to iconic brands, including Black Swan, nudie, Wattle Valley, Peckish, and Quorn. Last year, in response to the growing plant-based foods sector, the company signed …

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Vegan crumbed ham style slices

© Squeaky Bean

Squeaky Bean Launches Vegan Crumbed Ham Style Slices

British plant-based meat brand Squeaky Bean launches vegan Crumbed Ham Style Slices created from wheat and pea-based proteins. The slices are low in saturated fat and high in protein. Featuring a golden breadcrumb coating, they are said to be ideal in sandwiches, salads, or on their own as a snack. The new product comes a month after Squeaky Bean launched its snack-size vegan sausage rolls with bacon-style pieces. The brand also introduced its first frozen range — featuring chicken-style nuggets, dippers, and poppers — in March. For Veganuary, Squeaky launched chilled plant-based chicken pieces in two varieties — Seasoned and Tandoori. Significant growth After introducing a wide range of new products since its launch in 2019, Squeaky Bean reported in November that it had reached …

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Yumeat's plant-based range

© Yumeat

Singapore’s Yumeat Expands Shelf-Stable Vegan Meat Range Throughout Asia

In 2021, Ayam Brand — a Singaporean prepared and canned foods company established over 120 years ago — introduced a new plant-based meat brand called Yumeat.  Using the tagline “Get your proteins from plants,” Yumeat debuted in Singapore with plant-based luncheon meat and minced meat — two shelf-stable, ready-to-eat plant-based products that were unique in the market at the time. “Good for you, good for the planet,” says Yumeat, adding, “Whether you are vegan or an aspiring flexitarian, we are here to help you achieve a sustainable lifestyle.”  Expanding through Asia Over the past year, Yumeat has expanded into Malaysia, Australia, and Hong Kong, and it recently debuted in Thailand. Since its launch, the brand has been introducing new products, including Mapu Tofu and new …

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Vegan Crab Cake Sandwich at PLNT Burger

©The Plant Based Seafood Co

Mind Blown Seafood and PLNT Burger Team Up to Launch “New Bay” Crab Cake Sandwich

In celebration of World Ocean Month, Mind Blown™ by The Plant Based Seafood Co. and vegan chain PLNT Burger announce they are partnering to launch the New Bay Crab Cake Sandwich this summer.  Available for a limited time, the sandwich will be sold at PLNT Burger’s 7 locations across the DC Metro area – including Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC – from June 1st until Labor Day weekend.  The New Bay sandwich features Mind Blown’s Maryland-Style Plant Based Crab Cake, which is said to offer the real taste and texture of traditional crab meat, and contains 11 grams of protein. As part of Mind Blown’s mission to protect the oceans, 1% of profits will be donated to the Coral Restoration Foundation, which works to restore the …

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Boldly Fish

©Boldly

Global Plant-Based Seafood Market to Grow With a Huge CAGR of 28.5%

A report by Data Bridge Market Research has predicted that the plant-based seafood market will grow with a considerable CAGR of 28.5% through to 2029. Growth will be driven by the rising popularity of veganism, along with environmental, health, and animal welfare issues. Increased prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders, which can be caused by pollutants such as mercury in conventional seafood, may also drive demand. However, a lack of consumer awareness of seafood alternatives could impede growth. Europe is currently dominating the plant-based seafood market, due to numerous new product launches and the availability of alt seafood options at some major restaurant chains. The East Asian market is also projected to see significant growth over the forecast period, as the number of plant-based seafood products available …

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Current Plant-Based Seafood

©Current Foods

Wicked Kitchen Acquires Alt-Seafood Brand Current Foods to Expand Global Food Service

Global plant-based foods brand Wicked Kitchen announces it has acquired US alt-seafood startup Current Foods, adding an “exciting growth segment” to Wicked’s portfolio while reflecting the need for consolidation in the plant-based industry, the company states. The all-stock transaction will also strengthen Wicked’s food service capabilities by providing Current Foods’ plant-based, sushi-grade tuna and salmon.  The move marks Wicked’s second merger within a year, following its acquisition of alt-seafood CPG brand Good Catch in 2022. According to Wicked Kitchen CEO Pete Speranza, the merger with Current Foods will bring Wicked new global opportunities, channels and consumers.  “Current Foods is a perfect match for Wicked as a global-impact brand with the same mission and complementary products,” said Speranza. “With this deal and the Good Catch acquisition, we’re …

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Tempty Foods

© Marlow Ingredients/Tempty Foods

Denmark’s Tempty Foods Becomes First Brand to Use Mycoprotein by Marlow Ingredients

In April, Quorn’s parent company Marlow Foods announced that it was creating an ingredients division to make its mycoprotein available to other manufacturers. Now, Denmark’s Tempty Foods is set to become the first brand (other than Quorn itself) to use the protein. Tempty is already available in Denmark’s food service sector, and was the first Danish company to ever offer mycoprotein-based products. The partnership with Marlow will allow it to further expand and accelerate growth. “The introduction of Marlow mycoprotein into our products will give us a sustainable and competitive edge. It will also empower us to continue creating next-generation alternatives that focus on the key values of taste and nutrition, rather than imitating meat,” said Martina Lokajova, CEO and co-founder of Tempty Foods. “Huge …

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The Vegetarian Butcher at Carrefour butcher counter

© The Vegetarian Butcher

The Vegetarian Butcher Launches at Butcher Counters at Spanish Carrefour Supermarkets

The Vegetarian Butcher and European hypermarket chain Carrefour strengthen ties to expand the offer of meat alternatives in some of the butcher shops in Spanish Carrefour locations. Although products from The Vegetarian Butcher were already available last year, from this month the products will be available in a total of 24 Carrefour group establishments. The products that will be available at the butcher counters are crispy burgers; breaded burgers with iron and vitamin B12 called the Kikiricrunch Burger; vegan soy and wheat-based beef burgers; the famous Burghesian Rapshody patty; and vegetable nuggets. With this new agreement, Unilever‘s plant-based meat brand reinforces its commitment to the democratization of these products through Carrefour, which has positioned itself as one of the pioneer distributors in making this type …

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Plant-Based Po-Boy Sandwich by Pearlita

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7 Game-Changing Startups Putting North Carolina on the Innovation Map

Continuing our series on emerging hot-spots in alt protein, we turn to North Carolina, The Tar Heel State – a place better known for its scenic countryside and traditional BBQ than cutting-edge food tech. But North Carolina’s world-class research facilities, low taxes, and pro-tech economy have attracted some of the world’s most innovative animal-free companies looking to disrupt a wide range of industries. From cultivated oysters and filet mignon to algae-made fabrics and next-level collagen, here are 7 startups turning North Carolina into a visionary center for alt protein and more.  1. No Evil Foods Founded in 2014 by husband and wife team Mike Woliansky and Sadrah Schadel, No Evil began its journey selling hand-crafted plant-based meats to local shops and restaurants in and around …

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