All over the world, reducing meat consumption is seen as one of the most significant ways individuals can mitigate their impact on climate change. The livestock sector accounts for 14.5% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, and studies reveal that beef production especially has a negative impact on the environment, with cattle responsible for 65% of the sector’s emissions. Then there’s the issue of deforestation and land clearing driven by the global demand for meat which is contributing to a warming climate.
With increasing concerns about climate change and animal welfare, the plant-based movement is gaining traction, with more plant-based meat substitutes being produced than ever before.
The first Dutch company to develop plant-based meat alternatives, Netherlands-based Schouten – which began manufacturing plant-based proteins in 1990 – is adding 100% plant-based chicken and beef pieces to its extensive product range, which includes vegan mince, chickenless nuggets and plant-based burger patties.
“There were already various chicken and beef pieces on the market, but we knew they could be improved upon,” said R&D Director Niek-Jan Schouten in a media release.
“With these kinds of products it is especially important that the consumer doesn’t have to compromise on flavour and texture. We have worked hard to produce products that we expect to become more popular than real chicken and beef.”
Schouten’s plant-based chicken and beef pieces contain 18.3 and 22.7 grams of protein per 100 grams (respectively) and are made with proteins from soy, wheat and peas.
The market for plant-based proteins is booming, with companies such as Beyond Meat seeing a meteoric rise in its share price, from its May 2019 IPO price of $25 to $130 at the time of writing.
Analysts at Swiss investment bank UBS have forecasted the plant-based meat sector to grow by 28% a year and reach a value of $85 billion by 2030. This is a conservative forecast; Barclays anticipates it will be closer to $140 billion. Currently the sector is valued at $44.6 billion.
“We are proud that we can add these products to our range and we are sure that with these products we can contribute to the global shift towards a more plant-based diet,” said Niek-Jan Schouten.
Recommending reading:
- 40 Facts and Statistics About the Meat Industry to Inspire You to Eat Less Meat
- 5 Common Hurdles for New Vegans – And How to Beat Them15 Celebrities and Famous People on Plant-Based Food, Veganism and Cruelty-Free Living
- A Guide to High-Performance Vegan Running Shoes
- 8 Ethical Eateries in Sydney for a Lovely Sunday Brunch
- If You Don’t Eat Meat But Still Wear Leather, Here Are A Few Facts to Chew On
- 10 Plant-Based Influencers and Bloggers to Follow
All images courtesy of Schouten.
