As the alternative protein sector matures, one question keeps coming up: are these products optimally nourishing us? Hear from leading scientists across Singapore, India, China, and Australia as they dive into their cutting-edge research on alternative protein nutrition, spanning topics such as biofortification, bioavailability, fermentation, and more.
Later this month, Singaporean shoppers browsing the meat aisle will start to see new options that are neither fully plant- or animal-based, but rather, animal meat enhanced with plant proteins.
The Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein @NUS further expanded its influence by announcing a new grant opportunity jointly funded with Enterprise Singapore (ESG), which will offer startups a premier slot on stage at Singapore International Agri-Food Week (SIAW) and the opportunity to secure 150,000 SGD in cash.
This joint report by The Good Food Institute APAC and Altruistic Innovations explores the landscape of food technologies used in plant-based meat and mycoprotein-based products, with a focus on how innovative processing and formulation strategies can enhance nutritional outcomes. Using published research, product claims, and technical disclosures, the report utilises a scoring matrix to evaluate how each strategy improves digestibility, completeness, bioavailability, or functional nutrient delivery, and where further opportunities exist.
Earlier this year, China reaffirmed protein diversification as a central tenet of its national food strategy. Now, analysis by GFI has shined the spotlight on another indicator of China’s long-term commitment to food security: its assertive pursuit of global cultivated meat patents.
Whether you’re a scientist, engineer, policy professional, university student or recent graduate, the alt protein field offers a range of impactful career opportunities aligned with your background.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) officially announced Australia’s first-ever approval of a cultivated meat product, opening up a potentially lucrative new market for the cellular agriculture sector and setting an important precedent for global regulators.
Sam leads strategy work across Asia to set innovative and ambitious targets that expand GFI’s impact and presence. Sam identifies opportunities across the APAC region, and within the global network to position alternative proteins within national priorities, and advance the growth of alternative proteins throughout Asia. Sam has also led GFI's expansion into new geographies, and works to embed a regionally effective strategic approach to alternative protein resourcing and prioritisation. Sam remains a global champion for alternative proteins within multialteral fora. Sam is based between Melbourne, Australia and Bangkok, Thailand. He travels and works widely across Asia.
Carmen leads regional efforts to elevate alternative proteins through policy and multilateral engagement. She works with governments, intergovernmental fora, and strategic partners to advance regulatory harmonisation, public R&D, trade, and innovation. By building coalitions, shaping policy agendas, and amplifying APAC’s voice in GFI’s global initiatives, Carmen contributes to strengthening the resilience and shaping the future of regional and global food systems. She is based in Australia.
Daphne focuses on optimising finance operations for GFI APAC, enabling our team to create greater impact. Previously, as Director of Finance at a leading think tank in Singapore, she led two restructurings, improving efficiency through automation. She was integral in its CRM system and PDPA policy implementation. Daphne's private sector experience includes standardising accounting frameworks and managing financial operations in Vietnam and Cambodia. She also served as an associate consultant for a non-profit’s strategic review. A Certified Management Accountant (CMA) with an MBA, Daphne is a thoughtful, detailed and practical problem-solver. Daphne is based in Singapore.
Our State of the Industry reports are an annual deep dive into the global alt protein sector. The latest edition of the series compiles business developments, policy updates, and scientific breakthroughs from 2024 that are advancing the field and shaping a world where alternative proteins are no longer alternative.
“By driving more patient capital from the National Reconstruction Fund and other entities into alternative protein development, government leaders could further support domestic plant-based and cultivated meat startups, scale up local manufacturing capacity, and establish Australia as the premier exporter of high-quality, sustainable protein,” says GFI APAC Managing Director Mirte Gosker.
Rodrigo leads GFI APAC’s communications work, directly shaping how the world views and interacts with Asia’s fast-growing alternative protein sector. Drawing insights from GFI's subject matter experts, Rodrigo identifies high-impact opportunities to reach and engage both existing and potential science, policy, and industry stakeholders across communications touchpoints, using audience-centric, locally relevant narratives. Rodrigo is based in Singapore.
In part four of our series supporting startups, we explore how best to implement a scaling strategy that can maximise chances of delivering long-term profitability.
Australian APP chapters have been making big waves on campus. At the University of New South Wales, students organised a barbecue event to introduce their peers to plant-based meat and toured Vow’s production facility to explore the latest advancements in cultivated meat technology. And at the University of Melbourne, they recently hosted a symposium titled “Alternative Proteins: Where Are We Going?”
Weilong leads our fundraising efforts by building strong relationships with donors and driving support for GFI APAC’s mission. With over 14 years of experience cultivating strategic partnerships and executing impactful fundraising initiatives, he has helped secure significant funding for causes in education and social services. Weilong's expertise spans strategic donor engagement, community impact, and innovative fundraising, and he continuously fosters a culture of philanthropy and social responsibility. Weilong lives in Singapore.
Achieving price, taste, and nutrition parity between alternative proteins and conventional meat is a non-negotiable factor for market success, and strategic public investments are central to hitting that goal.
Many of the products out on the market right now do not hit taste parity nor nutrition parity but do require a premium price. That is not a very attractive proposition for a consumer. We need government support in getting there.
Karolien helps GFI APAC run smoothly and effectively as the Chief of Staff, working closely with the CEO and VP of Strategy to turn big ideas into tangible impact. She keeps cross-functional projects on track, supports team leads in their goals, and strengthens collaboration across departments. Acting as a trusted partner and sounding board, she ensures the organisation is well-prepared to meet challenges and seize opportunities in advancing the alternative protein sector. Karolien is based in Singapore.
GFI’s land use analysis highlights that alternative proteins require 50 to 90% less land than conventional animal proteins, offering significant opportunities for carbon sequestration and ecosystem restoration. That potential is huge, especially for APAC, home to 19% of the world's forests and 32% of global wetlands. Could this be a game-changer for China and Southeast Asia? Read our latest blog on the study’s implications for APAC.
In part three of our scale-up series, we explore the best way to plan and build a rock-solid team for your startup, and set the company up for success.
In a competitive business environment, scaling up effectively is crucial for long-term success. This complex process involves careful planning, partnerships, and infrastructure investments. This article explores insights from industry experts on key factors that drive growth and expansion.
Creating a new category needs marketing to generate consumer demand. A great product is ineffective if consumers are unaware of it. Marketing shapes consumer perception of the product, company, and category. We consulted industry experts for insights on marketing in this sector.
Understanding a new market or launching a product is challenging, especially in the early-stage alternative protein sector. We spoke with top industry experts to learn from their successful go-to-market strategies in this emerging category.
Check out this exclusive article by Camilla Roberts, CEO of SCALE IMPACT, who explores how innovative government incentives can close the funding gap for first-of-a-kind (FOAK) manufacturing facilities in alternative protein production. By adopting flexible and tailored financing models, we can overcome the challenges of high-risk capital projects and secure a sustainable future for food production.
We asked leading APAC industry experts how they managed to successfully navigate this thicket of potential hurdles.
The article highlights the growing cultivated meat market in Korea and the need for continued R&D.
In part two of our new scale-up series, we highlight the importance of finding the right market for your product at every stage of growth.
The first article in our new monthly Scale-Up Series, written in collaboration with our friends at the Good Food Institute Europe and the Good Food Institute, is a must-read for anyone passionate about the alternative protein sector! To help startups navigate this complex journey, we've outlined four crucial strategic questions that can guide their path to success.
While cultivated meat is not yet cleared for commercial sale, Korean regulators began accepting approval applications earlier this year. Shortly afterwards, the nation celebrated the opening of the Gyeongbuk Cell-Cultivated Foods Regulatory-Free Special Zone, which will soon be home to nearly a dozen cultivated meat companies.
To help startups better navigate choppy waters, we spoke to founders and investors to see how they are responding to recent market challenges.
History has shown that the longer countries wait to invest in the technologies of the future, the harder it is to ever catch up. Asia-Pacific governments and companies clearly see an opportunity to dominate the future of food production and are waving that flag proudly on the global stage.
“By ramping up distribution of plant-based meat through hospitals, governments can empower local manufacturers to scale up their operations, drive down costs through economies of scale, and make healthier, more sustainable foods more affordable for all consumers,” says GFI APAC's Mirte Gosker.
In a recent study released by GFI APAC, "consumers were unequivocal that what they are truly craving is protein diversity, not wholesale replacement," says Senior Communications Manager Ryan Huling. "That’s an audience worth speaking more directly to."
This report examines current and projected rates of plant-based meat adoption, health motivations, high- and low-interest consumer segments, and sentiments on new categories like blended meat. With this roadmap in hand, industry stakeholders can more strategically satisfy consumer demand and capitalise on Southeast Asia’s position as a global protein producer.
This report explores the behaviours and attitudes of consumers in Southeast Asia regarding both plant-based and conventional meat. It seeks to uncover the factors driving and hindering the adoption of plant-based meat, while also identifying high- and low-interest market segments in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
