Parent company of Made With Plants, PlantAsia, and Get Plant’d, Cale & Daughters will manufacture plant-based cheese and meat products in a joint venture with one of Israel’s largest agricultural co-operative Vgarden.
The new entity – Vgarden Australia – will have a manufacturing facility based in Brisbane, Queensland. Cale & Daughters will also use the site to manufacture its own IP products, including dairy-free thickened cream and sour cream. Full-scale production is expected by the end of 2023 and will employ over 50 staff.
Cale & Daughters co-founder Cale Drouin said the JV opens up resources and IP and will help minimise international supply chain disruptions.
“Local manufacturing means we’ll be able to maintain price competitiveness and product accessibility, while being positioned to rapidly respond to the needs of our Australian market.
“We’ll also be able to offer Australian customers quality plant-based products that have a smaller carbon footprint, which is very exciting,” said Drouin.
The Brisbane plant will produce vegan mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan, along with vegan deli meats such as pepperoni and chicken.
The JV formalises an existing partnership that has been supplying vegan mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan to Woolworths nationally since 2020.
Drouin said the JV will also provide greater capacity to cater to the food service customers including restaurants, caterers, hospitals, and educational institutions as local demand grows for plant-based food.
“Aussie tastes are changing. Whether it’s due to specific dietary requirements or a change in lifestyle preferences, there are more people choosing to eat plant-based foods than ever before. This creates compelling opportunities for the right businesses,” said Mr Drouin.
According to Grand View Research, the global vegan cheese market is expected to reach $10.55 billion by 2030, with the Asia Pacific anticipated to be the fastest growing region with a compound annual growth rate of 14.1 per cent from 2022 to 2030.
