Globally, over 1.5 billion people do not include meat in their diets, and this number is rapidly rising. Many individuals are adopting a vegan, vegetarian, or flexitarian diet for religious beliefs; yet, many more consumers are concerned with how their food choices can affect their health and well-being, the environmental, climate change, and animal welfare. Replacing meat with "alternatives" has created an immense market opportunity, leading to the proliferation of plant-based food manufacturers worldwide. According to a market report by Future Market Insights, the Global Plant-based Food Market is expected to grow from $11.3 billion in 2023 to $35.9 billion in 2033, boasting an impressive compound annual growth rate of 12.2%.

In 2018, the European plant-based food company "Alpro" collaborated with the world's largest online plant-based recipe platform, "BOSH!" to establish "Plant Power Day" on March 7th. This day is celebrated annually to encourage people to include more vegetables and other plant-based foods in their daily diets. Consuming a plant-based diet does not mean eating only salads; numerous well-known food companies such as Kellogg's, Quorn Foods, and MorningStar Farms have been successfully selling meat substitute products for over four decades. In 2019, Beyond Meat, a Los Angeles-based plant-based meat “analog” company, was the first company of its category to become a publicly traded company on Nasdaq. Beyond Meat uses pea protein to create innovative soy-free Burger patties and Meatballs that look and cook like beef burgers. Impossible Foods is another California-based company that produces soy-based Burgers that resemble beef patties. Both companies are creating meat analogs catering to meat eaters and flexitarians alike.

Food is necessary to sustain life. However, the unique flavors of a country’s cuisine can genuinely represent the essence of a culture. Many Asian plant-based meat manufacturers are exploring new products differing from those produced in Europe and America. For example, Singapore’s “Next Gen Foods” has established "Tindle," a well-known "plant-based chicken" brand, promoting their products that can be cooked with Pasta, made into Wraps, or Chinese Bao. India, having the highest vegetarian population in the world, is proud of a domestic brand "Shaka Harry," which introduces authentic Indian flavors such as Chicken Paratha, Mutton Paratha, Momo, and Samosa, all made from plant-based ingredients, made to resemble the texture and flavor of the original recipes.

The food science and manufacturing technology for creating meat-like analogs have advanced significantly in recent years. Companies are focusing on increasing the number of products that resemble “real meat” focusing on a higher protein content while reducing the amount of fat, cholesterol, and sodium in their products. Additionally, most Western-style plant-based meat alternatives are made into meat-like mince, and other beef-like products, breaded chicken strips, and sausages suitable for grilling and frying. It is important to note that manufacturers can anticipate many changes in future product designs and production improvements which include:

1. Authentic Ready-to-consume Frozen Meals: Plant-based meat can be made into ready-to-eat meals similarly to conventional meat. By replacing meat with plant-based protein, diversified lines of Vegan products can be created. These include Savory Pies, Vegan Dumplings, Plant-based Bao, and Vegan Samosas. All catering to a new and wide range of consumers.

2. Advanced Food Machinery Designs: Food processing technology is advancing rapidly. The automated manufacturing process ensures the filling is not compressed and ingredients retain their original textures, and the final products look and taste handmade to meet clients’ production specifications with increased precision, quality control, and efficiency, while reducing overall labor costs.

3. New Product Research and Development: Creating delicious new products requires more than good ideas. It is necessary to have a team of seasoned food scientists to help with recipe optimization, as well as experienced food manufacturing consultants to oversee your automated production line performance. All to advance and guide your food business, and it is especially critical when introducing new products to the marketplace.

The Meat Analog industry is evolving from simple plant-based meat alternatives to high-tech, lab-grown, and cultured meats. These vast changes in raw materials are a challenge, but they can also create new opportunities for food manufacturers worldwide. Establishing and updating the hardware and software technologies for producing food products that consist of plant-based meat and alternative raw materials is crucial. Embracing this new technology is crucial to meet the current fast-changing consumer market demands.

ANKO is the leading food machine manufacturing company based in Taiwan, founded in 1978. We provide high quality food processing equipment for commercial food businesses in over 114 nations worldwide. We recommend our HLT-700 Series Multipurpose Filling and Forming Machines for producing various plant-based delicacies such as Chinese Dumplings, Stuffed Pastas, Korean Mandu, and Samosas. The SD-97 Series Automatic Encrusting and Forming Machines can produce Vegan Buns, Meat Patties and Meatballs. ANKO Food Lab provides the invaluable knowledge of our experienced food scientists who can assist you with recipe development and optimization. Our team of professional consultants can provide an array of automated food production solutions to meet your production specifications. Please contact us if you are interested in more information about ANKO’s food machines and services.