Richmond

VION_me-at_spareribs

© Vion Food Group
Meat- and Fish Alternatives

EU Meat Producers Driving Plant-Based Market Growth in Europe, Part 1

Europe experienced some of the most significant growth in the plant-based food sector globally, with the industry expanding by a reported 49% between 2018 and 2020 amid the first bubble of hype, post-Beyond IPO. This surge didn’t go unnoticed by the EU’s leading meat producers. Possessing well-established brands, extensive marketing capabilities, and solid distribution channels—bolstered by government subsidies—these traditional meat companies have substantial resources for research and development. Their entrance into the plant-based market undoubtedly raises consumer awareness and accessibility of these alternatives. However, this shift can present a challenge for startups competing in the same space. After looking closely at meat producers in the Americas starting plant-based projects last year, this series now looks at Europe. The European market is characterized by its high …

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Richmond meat-free minis

© Richmond
Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Sausage Giant Richmond Enters Plant-Based Snacking Category With Meat-Free Minis

Richmond, a UK producer of both conventional sausages and meat alternatives, launches NPD Meat-Free Minis. The launch features Richmond’s popular plant-based sausages in a new mini format, marking the first time the brand has entered the meat-free snacking category. The Minis are described as a healthier alternative to salty snacks and confectionery, as they are low in fat, salt, and sugar and have a high protein content. According to Richmond, the market for meat-free, high-protein snacks has grown by 20% in the past two years to reach a value of £37.1m (L52w to 22/01/23), with demand still rising. 61% of this growth is driven by brands that offer both meat and plant-based options, suggesting that these companies are able to more effectively appeal to flexitarians. …

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Richmond meat free sausages

©Richmond / Kerry Foods
Company News

Sausage Giant Richmond Now Has Third Best-Selling Alt Meat Line in UK & Ireland

Meat producer Richmond, which has been steadily making its way into the plant-based category since its plant-based sausage launch in 2020, says it is now the third bestselling alt-meat brand in the UK & Ireland. The vegan sausages, which were named meat-free product of the year in 2020, were joined by meat-free burgers, mince and meatballs in early 2021, then in the following May Richmond launched a plant-based bacon product claiming it to be “the tastiest, crispiest, meat-free bacon you’ll try”. In February of this year, parent company Pilgrim’s identified the plant-based category as where it expects to see the most growth in the near future, stating that it is expecting a 74% increase in the plant-based category over the next four years. As reported …

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OZO Plant-Based Bacon Launch

©OZO
Market & Trends

JBS Claims Plans to “Foster and Develop” Alt Protein Through Multiple Investments & Acquisitions

In a new podcast with Food Manufacture, the largest meat processing company in the world, JBS SA, has revealed plans for its alt protein future. JBS claims it intends to “foster and develop” alt protein innovation with multiple investments and acquisitions across plant-based, fermentation, and cultivated sectors. Citing expected levels of population growth and increased demand for proteins, the Brazilian conglomerate says it has a responsibility to increase alt proteins in its portfolio. Eduardo Noronha, JBS’s global head of innovation and operational excellence, also spoke of changing consumer habits, needs, and trends across the globe that will influence the company’s alt protein direction.  As part of this alt protein expansion, JBS recently completed the acquisition of Spanish cultivated meat leader BioTech Foods. The acquisition also …

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Richmond Meat-Free Sausage, Spinach and Tomato Pasta

© Richmond
Market & Trends

Pilgrim’s, Owner of UK Sausage Giant Richmond, Predicts 74% Growth in Plant-Based Category

Pilgrim’s Food Masters, owner of sausage giant Richmond, has identified the plant-based category as where it expects to see the most growth in the near future. The UK headquartered multinational stated that it is expecting a 74% increase in the plant-based category over the next four years.  Pilgrim’s Food Masters, which was acquired from Kerry Group by US giant Pilgrim’s Pride last year, sees the soaring interest in flexitarianism as a major driver in said growth, with the brand adding that 43.7% of its consumers now describe themselves as flexitarian. Other drivers identified by the company include; appealing to families, tapping into new occasions, and product innovation. With company research claiming only 14% of parents believe plant-based foods are suitable for younger children, Pilgrim’s sees …

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Aurapea chickpea meat in pan

©AuraPea

Investments & Finance

AuraPea Raises $1.5M For Chickpea-Based Meat, Plans Expansion Into Europe & Asia

AuraPea is a new Richmond, VA  company pioneering clean-ingredient alternative meats using the brand’s novel chickpea base, known as Auratein.  Founded by Ben Pasternak in early 2021, AuraPea succeeded in raising $1.5 million from investors to lead a “new frontier” of food innovation in Richmond and the Mid-Atlantic region, according to the Washington Business Journal.  Free of common fillers  Unlike most plant-based meats on the market, AuraPea completely excludes the use of fillers and emulsifiers, such as methlycellulose, to bind plant proteins together. Instead, as Pasternak explains, AuraPea utilizes a patented process that transforms chickpea’s protein while fully maintaining its binding structure and capabilities. This preservation of functionality, Pasternak says, allows the protein to naturally bind without the use of added fillers.  AuraPea’s product line …

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BaconStrips Hooray Foods

©Hooray Foods
Market & Trends

Mmm, Bacon: Plant-Based Bacon Outselling Conventional as Market Doubles

Long-held as a taste icon for many diehard animal meat-eaters, now bacon is also experiencing plant-based disruption. Sales of plant-based bacon are up 25% – double the rate for the same period for animal-based bacon – and the plant-based bacon market as a whole doubled in 2020 to $267 million, reports Bloomberg.  As multiple players are entering the space from different angles, here is the vegconomist latest from the major disruptors in alt bacon: Robert Downey Jr. backed Atlast Food Co, a spinoff from Ecovative Design, has raised $100 million to create the world’s largest mycelium farm to create its fungi-based bacon flagship product.  Prime Roots has launched what it claims to be the world’s first plant-based bacon lineup of thick-cut, butcher-style bacon in Black …

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Richmond Kerry Foods

Image: Richmond
Products & Launches

Kerry Group Makes More Plant-Based Moves as Richmond Increases Product Range 

After being awarded UK Product of the Year 2020 for its plant-based sausages, food giant Kerry Group’s own-brand Richmond has announced an expansion of its plant-based range. The dairy and meat giant has become increasingly proactive in its plant-based output, with the launch of Richmond’s meat-free mince and meatballs the latest offerings announced this week.  Richmond first launched its first meat-free product last year with its plant-based sausages and since then a burger has also been added to the now expanded range. Kerry Group was ranked #5 on the FAIRR list of global companies actively supporting plant-based foods and beverages, recently acquiring Dutch maker of textured meat alternatives Ojah, as well as Pevesa Biotech, a Spanish specialist in non-allergenic and organic plant proteins.  With a …

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