In May we reported that KFC China had carried out a successful pilot of plant-based nuggets in three of its outlets owned by Yum China Holdings Inc and that due to the success of this pilot the supplier of the nuggets, Cargill, had decided to launch a range of plant-based products for release in China.
The US Agri Giant recently acknowledged that the shape of the food industry is changing towards plant-based, and it has been keen to establish a foothold. In early July Cargill launched its plant-based protein brand PlantEver in China, with plant-based chicken nuggets and beef patties. These are available on leading B2C e-commerce platform Tmall, with other online and offline channels to follow.
More recently, Cargill also launched another wave of products in partnership with convenience store chain Lawson; these products are plant-based shellfish sandwiches and chicken burritos and are currently available in Lawson’s 600+ outlets in Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu province, according to the GFIC consulting Linkedin page, which also states that this marks the first plant-based seafood retail launch.
These plant-based protein products are produced locally in Cargill’s facilities in Chuzhou, Anhui Province. The launch of PlantEver represents an important step for Cargill as local and international companies see the huge market potential in a region whose animal farming industry has been decimated by swine flu and more recently, COVID-19.
Managing Director of Cargill Protein China Jackson Chan stated: “Cargill is taking an inclusive approach to the future of protein by investing in both animal and alternative protein. We will continue to offer safe, responsible and sustainable proteins to customers and consumers by flexing our supply chain advantage and global research and development expertise.”
