It looks like a burger. It may taste like a burger. But it’s plant-based – and meatless products are becoming more and more popular as statistics are said to show that by 2030, there will be an R7.3 billion market for plant-based protein foods.
This is according to the chief operating officer of AGT Foods Retail and Food Ingredients Division, George Tomazos, who moderated a panel discussion at the Gallagher Convention Centre last week titled, ‘Meeting consumer demand for alternative proteins – what does a 100 per cent plant-based future hold?’
The discussion was held during Africa’s Big 7 2019 for food professionals across the continent and hosted by FoodNext.Africa – which says on its website that it is ‘focused on creating sustainable food systems, new products’, among other things.
So why plant-based products? On the introduction to the panel discussion on the FoodNext.Africa website, it is said that health and ethical concerns have driven consumers to reduce their consumption of meat. During the discussion, the director of Proveg South Africa, Donovan Will explained that companies that sell plant-based products help to destigmatise these foods, assist people to realise there are a lot more vegetarian options and help grow the industry. They help people to aspire to eat less meat and rather opt for more nutritious foods.
Tomazos explained that research showed that a large market for plant-based proteins – such as wheat analogues – would exist by 2030, and everyone would want a piece of the market.
He added that while there was a lot of discussion and controversy, there has been a sharing of knowledge to assist in getting concepts and business ideas off the ground.
One product on the market is the plant-based Beyond Burger, and the COO of Infinite Foods & Crossover Quality Meats, Neil Taylor, explained that this burger had been introduced to 200 outlets around the country, and there were plans for more products. “But it’s not about just bringing one burger but to bring a number of other plant-based products.”
However, Will indicated that there was red tape in getting plant-based food (or meat alternative) businesses started. He said it was important to work alongside key stakeholders, including government. “We don’t really need them to do anything, but we need them to step out of the way and let the private sector and NGOs get to work.”
Yet despite the red tape, competition in the market is already evident, according to the general manager of Wellness Warehouse, Simon Alston. He said the company had seen growth in the last three years and added that they were seeing much competition in the business of plant-based foods.
He indicated that with such competition, it appeared there was a lot more innovation in the sphere that assisted in driving products.
Details: www.foodnextlive.com or www.africabig7.com
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