karana-japan launch

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Market & Trends

Japan: Demand for Healthy Alternatives to Animal Products Fuels Vegan Food Market

While still considered a niche market compared to European countries, growing awareness of health and wellness and sustainability concerns are driving the growth of the vegan food market in Japan. The Japanese vegan food market is projected to exhibit a growth rate (CAGR) of 11.2% during 2023-2028, according to the IMARC Group, a leading US market research company. Although Japanese cuisine is already considered healthy, Japanese consumers seek healthier options for animal products to improve their well-being and prevent lifestyle-related health issues, according to IMARC Group. Plant-based diets are associated with various health benefits, including reduced risk of chronic diseases, weight management, and slowing the aging process. To cater to these consumers, long-established companies, such as the miso producer Marukome and the brown rice company …

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Plant-based short ribs

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Products & Launches

NEXT MEATS to Debut Marinated BBQ Product “Next Short Rib 2.1” at All Costco Japan Locations

Japanese food tech company NEXT MEATS (OTC: NXMH) announces it will launch its latest alt-protein innovation, Next Short Rib 2.1, at all 31 Costco Wholesale locations in Japan beginning in March.  Described as marinated Japanese BBQ, Next Short Rib 2.1 is made from non-GMO soybeans, and will be sold in two 200g sets in a larger package designed exclusively for Costco Japan. The 100% plant-based product is made without any additives, preservatives and artificial flavors, NEXT MEATS says, and has a refrigerator shelf life of up to 90 days. The company will also offer live cooking demonstrations and tastings at select Costco Japan locations.  New markets Based in Tokyo, NEXT MEATS is a subsidiary of NEXT MEATS Holdings, which is devoted to the research, development …

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plant based seafood

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Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Japanese Ham Manufacturer Develops Plant-Based Seafood Ahead of Global Food Crisis

Japanese Ham Manufacturer NH Foods (日本ハム株式会社), known as Nippon Ham, has developed two plant-based seafood products — fish fries and popcorn shrimp. The Japanese firm, preparing for a shortage of marine resources that could trigger a global food crisis, spent a year developing the alt products using soy protein, seaweed extracts, and other vegetable ingredients to recreate seafood’s texture and flavours, reports Euronews, adding that the products will launch in March 2023. Founded in 1949, Nippon Ham is a global firm with companies worldwide, including China and the US. The company began with the manufacturing of hams and sausage products. Over the years, it has expanded from being Japan’s biggest protein supplier to developing products such as non-allergenic foods and plant-based alternatives. Its products encompass fresh …

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Next Meats Debuts Steak in California

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Company News

Japan’s NEXT MEATS to Launch Next Short Ribs on European Market

Tokyo’s NEXT MEATS Co. participated in HORECAVA together with Van Gelder, a Dutch supplier of fresh vegetables and fruit, and is now planning to launch its “Next Short Ribs 2.0” on the European market. At HORECAVA 2023, Van Gelder exhibited the new product from the Japanese meat alternative producer, marking the first step towards the introduction of Next Short Ribs 2.0 to European consumers. The products successfully launched on the US market in 2022. According to the company, Next Short Ribs 2.0 do not contain any additives or preservatives and can be kept at room temperature for up to one year, thanks to the patented vacuum packaging technology “RETORT”, which was developed by the group company MAMA FOODS Co. MoU with Van Gelder Based on …

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List of the best plant-based steak products in North America

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Food & Beverage

The 9 Most Incredible Brands Disrupting Steak with Plants (North America)

While plant-based burgers, sausages and meatballs have long dominated the alt-meat landscape, creating realistic steak from plants has always represented the highest, if seemingly unattainable goal, for many brands. But thanks to fearless and relentless innovation, a host of shockingly meaty and juicy plant-based steaks have arrived on the US and Canadian market, and are rapidly coming to the fore. Here, vegconomist takes a look at the most noteworthy names bringing animal-free steak to mainstream consumers.  1. Beyond Meat  While not a fully structured filet, Beyond’s “revolutionary” plant-based steak tips marked a major milestone for the company, which previously only offered ground-textured products like burgers and sausages. According to CEO Ethan Brown, Beyond Steak took five years of extensive R&D to develop. The product can …

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Next Meats Debuts Steak in California

©Next Meats North America

Products & Launches

Japan’s Next Meats and Dr. Foods Will Launch Plant-Based Foie Gras, Caviar, and More in US in 2023

Tokyo-based startup Next Meats a spinoff company of Dr. Foods Inc. (OTC: DRFS) together announce they will launch Vegan Fois Gras, Vegan Caviar, and shelf-stable Next Meats products in North America in 2023.  Exclusive debut To debut the new offerings, Next Meats held an exclusive launch on Dec. 14th at the Los Angeles Cooking School and JETRO in Culver City, CA. The event featured the world-renowned Chef Reina, who prepared Next Meat’s offerings in a variety of global dishes, including Beef Stroganoff, Korean BBQ, and Bistek. Dr. Foods Inc. is the inventor of Vegan Foie Gras, described as the first vegetable-based foie gras. Next Meats says Dr. Foods will commence its business in Singapore, the global capital of cell-based food technologies.  Extensive range Next Meats …

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soy meat Japanese cafe

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Market & Trends

Report Says Meat Alternatives in Japan Have Entered Mainstream

A recent market report finds that meat alternatives in Japan have become increasingly mainstream, driven partly by a shift in consciousness since the pandemic, as well as a high acceptance of soy-based meat. The GlobalData report projects the Japanese market to reach JPY36.3 billion ($373.5 million) by 2026, with a CAGR of 5%. High affinity for soy The upswing is reportedly led by the country’s tendency towards soy-based products, which as we earlier reported, have witnessed a boom over the past two years. Soy-based foods such as soy sauce and miso are deeply ingrained in traditional Japanese culture, as such, meats created from soy are trusted by the Japanese consumer. Nikkei Asia reported in September that despite a 1.5X price increase on soybean crops since …

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Next Food Ecosystem

© Next Meats

Company News

Japan’s Next Food Ecosystem Announces Expansion Across Asia

Japanese food tech group Next Food Ecosystem has announced plans to expand its innovative products across Asia. The group consists of plant-based meat brand Next Meats, vegan foie gras producer Dr. Foods (which is a spinoff of the former), and international partner Wayback Burgers. Together, the companies will work to expand beyond Japan, using Singapore as a springboard to launch across Asia. Wayback collaboration Next Meats first announced a collaboration with Wayback Burgers last year, when the US-based chain trialled plant-based sliders made with Next’s short rib. Wayback recently opened a flagship restaurant in Tokyo, and is now searching for Asian franchise partners. Wayback Burgers Asia is also set to launch a new business venture called Next Restaurant, which will offer bento boxes containing Next …

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Next Meats skirt steak bowl

© Next Meats

Food & Beverage

Japan Sees Soybean Boom in Plant-Based Food & Drink Production

Soy and tofu have been staples in Japan for around 1,300 years, traditionally consumed by Buddhists and initially introduced to the country by Chinese monks. Asia News reports today that use of the soybean in food and drink production has increased significantly over the past two years, and additionally, Japan Times states this week that “soy-based alternatives to animal-based sources of protein appear to be growing on Japan”. Aside from its traditional soy-based food items such as tofu, soy milk, soy sauce, and soy-based condiments; many of Japan’s meat-processing companies are starting to develop soy-based meat alternatives. This is attributed to increasing demand for healthier food options post-pandemic as well as  and the government’s drive for net-zero carbon emissions. The rise of soy milk Despite …

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Next Meats plant-based steak

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Products & Launches

Japan’s Next Meats Furthers Retail Rollout in North America 

Next Meats, the Japanese alt meat brand, is expanding its retail presence in the US and Canada. Next Meats’ Short Rib and Skirt Steak, both claimed as world firsts in the plant-based meat sphere, are now hitting more shelves across North America.   Currently available in specialty grocery as well as online, Japanese manufacturer of meat alternatives Next Meats will now also offer the two products in six Tokyo Central stores and four Marukai stores throughout Southern California and the Bay Area. Canadian rollout to follow US success The retail expansion follows an initial launch in California earlier this year, with Next Meat’s items also found on restaurant menus at LA’s Tex-Mex Bar Ama, Ramen Shack in San Juan Capistrano, J-Spec in New York City, and …

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Next Meats plant-based meat

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Company News

Japan’s Next Meats Reveals India Expansion Plan

Japanese vegan producer Next Meats looks to be expanding into the emerging Indian plant-based market. A lab and manufacturing unit in India are reported to be in development, while the brand is set to open brick-and-mortar locations in the country. As first reported by Mint, the Tokyo-based Next Meats has entered a partnership with Indian food tech startup Vegan Meat India with a view to launching alt meat products across the subcontinent. Products would be developed to Indian tastes, with Next Tandoori Chicken and Next Chicken Biryani two of the products slated for release. With a growing population of over 1.3 billion people, India is said to be experiencing a “huge paradigm shift” towards plant-based meat alternatives despite the market being at an early stage …

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Next Meats Ribs

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Products & Launches

Next Meats Unveils Plant-Based Ribs 2.0

Next Meats Co Ltd, a food tech company based in Tokyo and now operating in the US, has recently announced the launch of a new version of its popular short rib product: the Next Yakiniku Short-Rib 2.0. Last month, the pioneering Japanese brand announced it has developed three new products: “NEXT Pork”, “NEXT Tuna”, and “NEXT Milk”, set for imminent commercial release. In June, the company announced a new collaboration with Wayback Burgers, a popular US burger chain and one of the fastest-growing burger franchises in the country. The “Next Yakiniku” range includes Short-Rib and Skirt-Steak variants, attracting keen fans and strong media interest since it was launched last year at Yakiniku Like, a popular barbecue franchise with branches all over Japan. Previously, plant-based meat …

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Next Meats factory

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Company News

NEXT Meats to Build First-of a-Kind “Eco Factory” Based on Solar Energy and Sustainable Technologies

Japan’s Next Meats Co recently revealed plans to start the construction of an eco-friendly production facility called the NEXT Factory, in Niigata, Japan. According to the company, this kind of large-scale facility specifically dedicated to alt proteins is likely to be the first of its kind in Japan* and will include solar panels and other sustainable technologies. Completion is scheduled for next summer. The startup, which created the first Japanese barbecue meat analogues and plant-based Japanese beef bowl, recently gained attention for successfully developing an alt egg product called the NEXT Egg 1.0 and launching the NEXT Yakiniku in the US which sold out on the first day of release through its ecommerce site. This June it announced a partnership with Wayback Burgers, one of …

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Wayback NextMeat Burger

PRNewswire

Products & Launches

Japan’s Next Meats Co. Announces Collaboration with US Burger Chain Wayback Burgers

As hinted at in our interview this week, Tokyo’s Next Meats Co has announced a new collaboration with Wayback Burgers, a popular US burger chain and one of the fastest growing burger franchises in the country. According to Seeking Alpha, Next Meat stock has dropped 20% despite the announcement. In addition, Next Meats announced that its vegan-friendly NEXT Yakiniku Short Rib – the world’s first Japanese-style plant-based grilled meat – will be available in the US with the launch of its highly anticipated online e-commerce shop on 23 June. As part of the collaboration, Next Meats Co. and Wayback Burgers will be giving away free samples of the East Meats Next® Slider and Pioneer Slider at the Sacramento Vegan Food Festival on Saturday, June 19. …

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NextMeats Japan

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Interviews

NEXT MEATS: “We Will Apply To Nasdaq and Aim to Be the Fastest In The World From Establishment To Becoming Listed”

Japan’s NEXT MEATS became the first publicly listed plant-based startup in the country, however, the company has lofty ambitions and states it is still far from the corporate philosophy of “saving the earth”. “We are talking with the CEO of a particular US fast-food chain for the launch” Plant-Based Japan Inc. (former freefrom Inc.), a Japanese contributor to vegconomist, interviewed Mr. Ryo Shirai, co-representative of NEXT MEATS, a meat alternative producer steadily showing the fastest growth not just within Japan but in the whole of Asia. It’s been about a year since the company was established. How is the response in Japan so far? As reported in the previous article, the major supermarket chain Ito-Yokado in Japan has also switched from the initial sales marketing …

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Future Food TP21

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Fairs & Events

Meet the Current Crop of Alt Protein Talent at the Future Food-Tech Summit

Around 150 trailblazing alt protein companies will join the virtual audience at the Future Food-Tech Alternative Proteins summit on June 22-23. The summit aims to bring together food brands, retailers, ingredient manufacturers, tech providers, and investors for two days of online networking to accelerate the future of alt protein. “We’re delighted to showcase the most exciting emerging talent and fresh solutions within the alternative protein space” Here we list the exciting crop of talented alt protein early and mid-stage companies from around the globe featuring at the event, including numerous vegconomist favourites such as Umiami, NotCo, Next Meats, Planted, Zrou, and Because, Animals. Aqua Cultured Foods (USA)  Seafood fermentation specialist that has created the first whole-cut seafood alternative using its proprietary strain of fungi. Better …

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IKEA's plant based curry with Next Meats' signature NEXT Gyudon on top.

IKEA vegan beef bowl ©Next Meats

Products & Launches

Japan’s Next Meats Collaborates With IKEA For “World’s First Plant-Based Japanese Beef Bowl”

Tokyo alt meat producer Next Meats Co. announces it will be taking part in IKEA Japan’s Sustainable Food Fair starting tomorrow May 20th, during which consumers can sample IKEA’s plant-based curry topped with Next Meats’ signature plant-based beef, the NEXT Gyudon. This February, the company became listed on the American OTC Market as NEXT MEATS HOLDINGS, INC (NXMH) after acquiring an American SPAC, paving its path into the American stock market. The company claims that the NEXT Gyudon is the world’s first plant based substitute of the Japanese ‘beef bowl’, a staple dish in the country with many restaurants specialising in this dish alone. The NEXT Gyudon is made from soy without any artificial additives and is said to replicate the texture as well as …

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NEXT Meats Harami (skirt steak) and NEXT Kalbi (short-rib) displayed in the meat corner of superstore Ito Yokado.

PRNewsfoto/Next Meats Co., Ltd.

Food & Beverage

“Paradigm Shift” in Japan as Next Meats Products Stocked With Meat in Mega Superstore Chain Ito Yokado

Next Meats Co. is an alt meat producer based in Tokyo which produces NEXT Kalbi (ribs) and Harami (steak) BBQ meat cuts, in the Yakiniku style – which translates as ‘grilled meat’ and is used to refer to the Western style of BBQ preparation. Next Meats announces today that these products will become available at the meat section of Ito Yokado, a Japanese superstore chain which operates 178 Ito-Yokado stores across Japan. From the 29th of March the vegan meat products will be sold for the first time in a retail store alongside conventional animal products. The company’s press release states that due to Japan’s traditional food culture, it has been known that travellers and foreigners with dietary choices or lifestyle choices such as veganism …

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next-meats

© Next Meats Co.

Stock market

Japan: Alternative Meat Startup Next Meats Holdings Gets Listed on the American OTC Market

Japanese alternative meat company Next Meats Holdings, became listed on the American OTC Market on January 26th as NEXT MEATS HOLDINGS, INC (NXMH) after acquiring an American SPAC, paving its path into the American stock market. The rapidly growing company thus enters the US stock market with plans for worldwide expansion and NASDAQ listing in the future.

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