(17 February 2020, Hong Kong SAR, China) - Green Queen Media, the award-winning impact media platform and online publication, has just released its in-depth report, "The Asia Alternative Protein Industry Report 2020 - New Decade, New Protein." The report marks the most comprehensive analysis of the alternative protein industry in Asia, spotlighting region-specific market trends, startups, innovation and development. The region is the sector's fastest-growing globally, with annual growth predicted to be 9.3% until 2026.
The report seeks to fill in the knowledge gap existing in the region's alternative protein sector, an understudied yet crucial area of research to meet the growing demand for protein consumption and its impact on the world.
The report, authored by Mackenzie Dion, Sally Ho and Sonalie Figueiras, is the first of its kind to detail the burgeoning alternative protein space in Asia, drawing on primary and secondary data collected from interviews with founders, investors, government officials and industry-wide stakeholders. It highlights the latest "2.0" startups developing the most innovative plant-based, cultivated and whole food protein solutions and identifies various challenges to overcome to feed the region sustainably.
"There is no bigger opportunity in sustainable food today than Asia," says Sonalie Figueiras, Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Green Queen Media. "We published this report to put Asia's food industry on the map and to showcase the incredible innovation happening in alternative protein in the region."
The analysis in the report involves over 35 one-on-one interviews and a total of over 50 extensive discussions with alternative protein stakeholders across 10+ countries in Asia. Almost every single founder of Asia's plant-based, cultivated and whole food meat alternative startups was consulted or interviewed about their experience for the report. The authors also drew on data from attending several alternative protein and food tech industry events, as well from prior global reports on alternative proteins and additional original reporting by Green Queen Media, a key resource for industry news across the region.
Asia, a continent currently home to half of the world's population and on track to reach 5 billion by 2050, faces the greatest threat in terms of food insecurity and its associated social, environmental, health and economic challenges - all risks that will be exacerbated by the intensifying climate crisis.
Despite this vulnerability, the alternative protein industry in the region remains nascent, whether in terms of product development, startup investment and funding or wider consumer awareness. It is also a relatively understudied area of research given the pressing demand for protein consumption in Asia and the reverberating consequences that this will have on the entire planet.
David Yeung, whose Green Monday Group is given an in-depth look in the report and highlighted as one of the industry's major success stories called it a must-read "whether you are an investor, an entrepreneur, a government policy maker or simply a foodie". "With the triple threats of climate change, food insecurity and public health crises across all Asia, the time to rethink and re-examine the entire food value chain is now, and the first step is to take a deep dive and get well informed," he added.
The authors of the report are betting on Asia, predicting that the poised to dominate the alternative protein sector globally. Along with a history of traditional plant-based meat consumption and the continued introduction of existing Western players in major Asian megacities, the authors identify Singapore and China as key innovation hubs that will drive home-grown alternative protein development.
The report notably highlights the edge that Asia-based alternative protein innovators have in serving local markets by creating products that cater to local tastes and eating habits in a region with 38 countries and dozens of rich, diverse food cultures.
Rapid urbanisation, booming socio-economic mobility and explosive population growth means that the task of sustainably feeding Asia is a gargantuan one and the currently industrial protein complex is not up to the task.
Indeed, the report identifies several dimensions of challenges that Asia's alternative protein industry must overcome. But with the huge pool of talent, scientific and technological advances, and existing alternative protein innovators, there is an incredible opportunity for Asia to rise up to the challenge and help buttress global food security.
"The startups featured in this report are positioned to be some of the leading alt protein actors globally when considering the magnitude of the challenge they're addressing, the quality of their products and the complexity of protein consumption in Asia," shares Lead Researcher Mackenzie Dion.
The report concludes on an optimistic note, but with one caveat: homegrown startups need more support. From government players to the wider business community and academia, alternative protein entrepreneurs deserve more financial and other resources as they work to help bring about a much-needed food revolution.
The report is available to download for free, as per Green Queen's impact media mission. "It is our sincere hope that this will help to inspire more founders to launch alternative protein companies, invite more investment into this exciting new sector, and support much-needed work to help feed the world's most populous region safely and sustainably," shared Figueiras
Download the full report "The Asia Alternative Protein Industry Report 2020 - New Decade, New Protein" here.
Further Citations
"One of the best reports on Alternative Protein in Asia! The above link is a gem in this field. Normally such an exhaustive report will cost a bomb but this wonderful report is available for everyone free of cost. If you want to have a bird's eye view of the Alternative Protein scene in Asia (potentially the biggest global market), you would definitely like to have a read of this gem."
- Abhishek Sinha, Co-Founder & CEO of GoodDot
"Finally! An alternative proteins report that is focused on Asia! Extremely grateful to the team from Green Queen Media for the extensive interviews they did to put together this highly insightful report with great infographics! The report sums up the hard work that we've put in over the past year to position Singapore as a vibrant and growing Alternative Proteins Hub in Asia, with companies undertaking key activities ranging from Regional HQ, production and R&D here."
- Priscilla Tan, Senior Lead (Strategy Group, Agrifood team - Alternative Proteins Specialist), Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB)
About Green Queen Media
Founded by serial social entrepreneur and eco activist Sonalie Figueiras in 2011, Green Queen Media is Asia's leading English-language impact media platform whose award-winning online news magazine reaches hundreds of thousands of readers across the region who are thirsty for trusted, well-researched and engaging sustainability content. Green Queen advocates for social & environmental change, with a mission to shift consumer behaviour through inspiring & empowering original content in Asia and beyond.
More information & to download the report: https://www.greenqueen.com.hk/download-asia-alternative-protein-report-2020/
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Green Queen Media, 14/F, Kingdom Power Commercial Building, 32-36 Des Voeux Road West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Founded by serial social entrepreneur and eco activist Sonalie Figueiras in 2011, Green Queen Media is Asia's leading English-language impact media platform whose award-winning online news magazine reaches hundreds of thousands of readers across the region who are thirsty for trusted, well-researched and engaging sustainability content. Green Queen advocates for social & environmental change, with a mission to shift consumer behaviour through inspiring & empowering original content in Asia and beyond.
