A new report entitled Plant-based profits is urging major global food brands move away from their reliance on animal proteins – and look at creating plant-based products instead.
The report, which is backed by a $2.4 trillion coalition of 57 large investors, features an analysis of 16 multinationals.
It concluded that Nestlé and Tesco were best positioned to benefit from a transition to alternative plant-based proteins.
Other companies engaged included Kraft Heinz, General Mills and Unilever.
FAIRR
The investor coalition is coordinated by the FAIRR initiative, founded by private equity pioneer Jeremy Coller. It includes institutional investors like Aegon, Aviva Investors, Coller Capital and Nordea.
The coalition has undoubtedly taken notice of the global consumer shift towards plant-based options:
Rosie Wardle, Head of Investor Engagements, FAIRR, exclusively told PBN: “The plant-based proteins market is booming, and consumers are sending a strong message with their wallets to the global food industry.
“The companies that get ahead of this curve and proactively invest in the development and marketing of plant based foods are those that investors will be looking at to generate stable long-term returns.
“The significant environmental and public health benefits of alternative proteins, in stark contrast to the global meat industry, are key factors in driving the 8 percent annual growth that is attracting the attention of shareholders.”
So is this whole thing just a passing fad, or is it a movement that will truly shape the nature of food consumption across the world? Here’s what Duncan Pollard, AVP, Stakeholders Engagement in Sustainability at Nestlé had to say:
“At Nestlé, we recognize that for a business like ours to be successful, we must take a long-term view.
“We have the responsibility and the opportunity to shape the sustainable production and consumption of food to preserve our planet for future generations.
“The development of the protein supply chain is an issue with the potential to radically reshape the supermarket shelf of the future. We very much welcome the support of those investors who want to act today to stay ahead of the curve in the economy of tomorrow.”