Anuga, the world’s largest trade show for the food and beverage industry, announces the launch of its new event, Anuga Alternatives, set for 2025.
The new trade show will focus exclusively on a diverse range of products from the plant-based protein, insect protein, algae protein, mushroom-based protein, and cell-cultivated meat sectors.
“Alternative proteins are not a short-lived trend, but indeed the future of food”
With over 1,400 companies globally, including at least 70 in Germany, offering plant-based alternatives to animal-based products, Anuga Alternatives highlights the growing interest and expanding variety within the industry. The emphasis on alternative proteins aligns with Anuga’s overarching theme of ‘Sustainable Growth.’
“Alternative proteins are not a short-lived trend, but indeed the future of food. A healthy and sustainable supply of proteins will become an essential component for the food requirements of an ever-increasing number of consumers,” explains Jan Philipp Hartmann, Director of Anuga.
Trailblazing, technological innovations
“The market for alternative proteins is not only being pushed by the demand of the consumers, but equally by trailblazing, technological innovations. The progress made in processing plant-based sources of protein and finding new sources of protein are of central importance here. At the coming edition of Anuga, especially within the scope of Anuga Alternatives, we will examine these developments in detail,” he adds.
In response to global interest in sustainable food solutions, Anuga will present an extensive program featuring webinars, workshops, and speaker events focused on alternative proteins. These sessions will explore the latest research findings and technological advancements, with professionals from science, business, and environmental protection organizations sharing their insights on plant-based, fermented, and cell-cultivated protein sources.
Beyond the technical and scientific discussions, Anuga Alternatives will also address the social aspects of food production, covering topics such as ethical procurement, biodiversity preservation, and the socio-economic impacts of transitioning to plant-based diets.
Growing consumer demand
To cater to the rising trend in the trade of expanding plant-based own-brands, Anuga is adapting its lineup accordingly. This shift is driven by increasing consumer demand. According to global market researcher Innova Market Insights, the market for plant-based meat substitute products in Germany has seen significant growth in both turnover and product launches. From 2022 to 2023, the market value increased by 7.8%, growing from USD 639 million in 2022 to USD 689 million in 2023.
Additionally, April 2024 saw a 27% increase in the introduction of meat substitute products compared to the same period the previous year, marking a peak in innovation. Own-brand companies also experienced positive growth in this category, with 34% of meat substitute product launches in Germany now being own-brands.
“The figures impressively underline how the increasing consumer orientation towards plant-based products is sustainably changing the food market and opening up new growth potential,” states Bastian Mingers, Vice President Food Trade Fairs, Koelnmesse GmbH.
He furthers, “Our new trade show, Anuga Alternatives, is the answer to the market’s dynamic development towards plant-based food and a decisive trendsetter for the trade and industry. Visitors have the unique opportunity to gain in-depth insights into an aspiring industry, get to know new suppliers and products, inform themselves about the latest trends and keep abreast of the developments of the food industry of tomorrow,”
For the coming Anuga, which is being staged from 04.-08.10.2025, companies can register under the following link: Become an exhibitor | Anuga. The early bird offer ends on 30.09.2024.
Further information: https://www.anuga.com/trade-fair/anuga/industry-sectors
