With the alternative protein sector having grown tenfold in recent years and only being set to continue, the gaps and bottlenecks that exist in the emerging industry’s supply chain become more apparent.
From skills and infrastructure capacity to optimised crops and local ingredient supply, addressing these issues is more pressing as their potential hindrance to the speed of growth grows.
Alternative proteins think tank Food Frontier executive director Dr Simon Eassom said the shift to diversify protein supply across the globe will continue to accelerate, providing opportunities for grain farmers and helping to alleviate supply chain issues.
“Deloitte Access Economics predicts that plant-based meat – which relies on base ingredients such as pulses and legumes – will generate almost $3 billion in domestic consumer sales by 2030.
“From a base of just four producers five years ago to more than 40 in 2023 and over 300 plant-based meat products in the market, in terms of volumes, the industry is forecast to produce 169,000 tonnes of end product by 2030.
“Increasing demand internationally for high-quality protein isolates, including for plant-based meats and a range of other foods and products, are also market opportunities for farmers,” Eassom said.
Agriculture Victoria Policy and Programs executive director Sarah-Jane McCormack highlighted the possibilities of new and emerging agricultural industries.
“Agriculture Victoria recognises the growth potential of alternative proteins and other emerging sectors and believe these industries offer significant opportunities to create jobs, broaden income streams and target new markets and consumers.
“As the world demand for protein increases and consumers explore new protein sources, there are exciting opportunities for grain farmers to tap into this emerging market supported by Agriculture Victoria’s cutting-edge research,” McCormack said.
Eassom said that hand in hand with increasing local supply of pulses and legumes is the need for businesses to invest in more plant protein processing infrastructure.
“There is currently only one operational pulse fractionation plant available in the country, and that’s in Victoria. This facility is already bringing investment and jobs to the Horsham region, and providing greater economic value to the local farmers who supply it with their product,” he said.
Tackling supply chain issues such as this is just one of the sessions at Food Frontier’s AltProtein 23 conference in October.
Agriculture Victoria is partnering with Food Frontier in recognition of the role farmers and greater infrastructure play in the development of the sector.
Discussing that further at AltProtein 23 will be Dr Garry Rosewarne, research director for Plant Production Sciences at Agriculture Victoria.
Rosewarne will speak about the crop research and innovation work at the Grains Innovation Park, which is supporting the growth of Victoria’s plant-based sector.
Market leaders from Australia, New Zealand, China, Singapore, and the US are also among the list of speakers announced for AltProteins 23 on 4 October at Sofitel on Collins in Melbourne.
AltProteins 23 is an in-person event covering the entire alternative proteins sector: plant-based meat, cultivated meat and precision fermentation – from primary production, investment, and R&D, to manufacturing, foodservice, and retail.
To view the program, initial speaker information and to register to attend go to altproteinsconference.com.au.
AltProteins 23 is made possible thanks to the support of the following sponsors: Agriculture Victoria, Change Foods, dsm-firmenich, Buhler, Kerry, Eden Brew, Unigrain, Earth by Coco & Lucas’ Kitchen, MILKLAB, v2food, and All G.
