Alt Protein Watch: APAC plant-based challenges, precision fermentation and crypto, alt-dairy naming debates and more feature in our round-up

Survival of the conscious: How APAC plant-based industry must evolve to overcome consumer fatigue and avoid post-hype failure​

The Asia Pacific plant-based industry needs to evolve marketing and innovation strategies to be more in line with local consumer needs if it hopes to avoid consumer marketing fatigue as well as any potential post-hype slump as has been seen in other regions.

Although the plant-based products sector has seen some of the most exponential growth in the global food and beverage industry, over the past few months the sector has hit major stumbling blocks in some of its most mature markets.

Is precision fermentation the next crypto? Demonstrating scalability and credibility crucial to avoid post-hype failure in APAC​

The precision fermentation sector needs to clearly demonstrate the scalability and credibility of the technology if it is going to outlast the significant hype that surrounds the sector.

This was the conclusion of a panel of experts that convened at the recent Future Food Asia (FFA) 2023 event in Singapore, comprising of Zymtronix Founder and CEO Stephan Corgie, BGF Plantrix Chairperson Suthira Taychakhoonavudh, Miruku Co-Founder and CEO Amos Palfreyman and Cauldron Co-Founder and CEO Michele Stanfield.

Mylk or milk? APAC plant-based dairy sector sees ‘no confusion’ amongst consumers regarding naming conventions​

The APAC plant-based dairy industry believes that controversy surrounding the use of dairy terms for plant-based product labelling is unlikely to happen in this region despite contention in other markets, citing differences in local consumption drivers as a major factor.

Plant-based product labelling has been a major source of contention within the food and beverage sector in markets such as the United States and Europe over the past few years, particularly in the context of plant-based milk and dairy products.

‘No sacrifice, no problem’: OnlyEg rapidly cracking APAC and Middle East markets with RTE plant-based eggs​

Singapore-based OnlyEg has rapidly grown its presence in various markets across the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions with a focus on the taste and texture of its ‘no sacrifice’ plant-based eggs, available in a multitude of ready-to-eat (RTE) formats.

Since its inception in 2022, OnlyEg has rapidly grown from its home base in Singapore to multiple markets across APAC including Hong Kong, Malaysia and Australia, and earlier this year also cracked the rapidly-growing Middle Eastern market with entry into the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

‘Accelerated progress needed’: APAC alternative protein sector needs quicker transition away from mimicry​

The alternative protein sector in the Asia Pacific region needs to move at a faster rate to make the transition from mimicking meat and seafood to encourage its acceptance as part of a lifestyle change.

This was the opinion of an expert panel that convened at the recent ThaiFex-Anuga Asia 2023 event in Bangkok, comprising Thai Union Alternative Proteins Managing Director Maarten Geraets, Good Food Institute APAC Corporate Engagement Manager Jennifer Morton and Alimentus Managing Director Rosalind Chen.