Asian cropportunities: Supplying raw materials for plant-based meat
This report highlights Asia’s potential to supply raw materials for the plant-based meat industry. Key ingredients such as soy, wheat, and alternative crops like konjac and jackfruit are evaluated for their nutritional, environmental, and economic potential in Asian markets. The report suggests ways Asian countries can leverage local crops and production capacities to meet growing demand, boosting food security and supporting sustainable agricultural practices.
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OVERVIEW
Introduction
The demand for plant-based meat is increasing globally, with notable growth in Asia due to heightened awareness around food security, environmental impact, and health benefits. The report notes that reliance on soy and wheat limits growth potential, especially in Asia where consumer motivations differ from Western markets. In China, for example, lower fat content drives plant-based meat consumption more than environmental concerns, reflecting local health-focused consumer preferences.
Foundational considerations and dynamics
Asia’s diverse climate and advancing agricultural technology are pivotal for its role in alternative protein production. Key developments in vertical and urban farming, notably in Singapore, showcase the region’s adaptability. The report highlights that limited ingredient diversity could hinder the long-term resilience of the plant-based meat industry, suggesting that alternative crops such as chickpeas, mung beans, and konjac could diversify supply, reduce reliance on monocultures, and increase consumer appeal. Additionally, the environmental impact of these alternatives is promising, with crops like lentils and jackfruit requiring lower water and carbon inputs, supporting sustainability goals.
Featured raw materials
The report profiles fourteen ingredients, ranging from widely used crops like soy and wheat to underutilised options such as lion’s mane mushroom and jackfruit. Each ingredient is assessed for nutritional value, environmental impact, and regional availability. Pea protein, for instance, saw a 339% increase in U.S. sales in 2019, highlighting consumer demand for soy alternatives. Konjac provides a unique gelatinous texture suitable for seafood substitutes, while sunflower protein’s natural darkness makes it better suited to dark-coloured products, presenting processing challenges for light-coloured plant-based items. Commodity pricing is also addressed, with sunflower seeds priced at an average of $607.22 per tonne and chickpeas at $1,196.12 per tonne, indicating cost factors relevant to the industry.
Featured country profiles
The report profiles seven Asian countries (China, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Myanmar) for their suitability in plant-based ingredient production. Each country’s agricultural strengths, climate, and market characteristics are evaluated. Vietnam, for instance, has efficient rice production and could expand chickpea or mung bean cultivation, while Singapore’s limited arable land supports vertical farming, making it an ideal location for producing mycoprotein through fermentation. Myanmar’s established pulse and mung bean production highlights its potential to scale supply chains, thereby reducing global production costs and increasing accessibility.
Conclusions
The report concludes that Asia’s agricultural sector can leverage local crop diversity to meet rising demand for plant-based protein, improve food security, and reduce environmental impact. Increasing the range of raw materials used in plant-based meat products aligns with consumer preferences in Asia and mitigates risks tied to dependence on soy and wheat. Recommendations include strategic investments in local crops, improving production efficiencies, and expanding infrastructure to scale raw material production. This diversified approach could support the plant-based sector’s sustainable growth across Asia’s evolving markets.
