Rabobank

Edamame beans dip with lemon

© marysckin-stock.adobe.com
Protein

New Rabobank-Led Initiative to Boost Consumption of Dutch-Grown Plant Proteins, Starting with Edamame Beans

Rabobank, Foodvalley NL, and the Netherlands’ Interprovincial Protein Council have partnered to launch the new Plant Protein Forward initiative, which aims to increase the consumption of Dutch-grown plant-based proteins. The programme will work to scale up crop-specific chain initiatives as part of the Netherlands’ National Protein Strategy, which aims to make the country more self-sufficient in protein. It will focus on chain initiatives where farmers are central; this will include farmers who process the raw materials they grow (such as lupin, fava beans, or soy) into ingredients or end products. It is hoped that Plant Protein Forward will increase the structural market demand for protein-rich legumes, which is currently said to be lagging behind production. Over the next three years, the programme will support at …

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Plant-based milk shelf at Albert Heijn

Image: ProVeg Netherlands
Market & Trends

European Dairy Sales “Sluggish” While Plant-Based Alternatives Continue to See Growth

According to research by Rabobank, European dairy sales were “sluggish” in 2023, with many Western European companies seeing weaker-than-expected sales. Forecasts for 2024 are similarly weak. Companies in regions such as Australia, Brazil, and China also saw decreased demand last year. Rabobank predominantly blames high food price inflation and slowing economic activity for the decline, but acknowledges that changing consumer purchases also play a role in some regions. One of these changes could be a shift towards plant-based alternatives. Plant-based on the rise Figures published last year revealed that European plant-based milk sales had risen by 49% in the space of two years, with Germany having the highest turnover and market potential. In Switzerland, sales of milk alternatives increased by almost 80% between 2017 and …

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Beyond Meat Smashable Burger

Smash burger © Beyond Meat
Market & Trends

Is Food Disruption Over? How Alt Meats Could Rise From the Trough of Disillusionment

Innovation in the food industry could be set to slow down in the coming years, according to research by Rabobank. The firm says that while the past decade has seen unprecedented food disruption in the form of innovations such as meat alternatives and animal-free dairy, changing what consumers eat has proven to be more challenging than expected. With the current economic environment leading to limited profitability, fewer disruptive products are likely to be launched over the next few years. However, innovation will not stop altogether — instead, it will become more incremental. While some disruptive foods will still make it onto shelves, they will be more heavily vetted beforehand, potentially leading to greater long-term success. Trough of disillusionment Rabobank has also released another report outlining …

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