The business of alternative proteins
Growing consumer demand is driving investment in Europe’s plant-based, cultivated meat and fermentation sectors.
As a nonprofit and think tank, the Good Food Institute Europe provides open-access resources and leads initiatives to help facilitate diverse and innovative plant-based, cultivated meat and fermentation industries.
Europe plant-based sales data 2022-2024
Our analysis of Circana data across six key European countries shows that cheaper private-label products are driving growth in plant-based retail sales volume across France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Explore the data with breakdowns by country and category.
Scale-up series
What do you want to be when you grow up? In the first instalment of our new scale-up series, we explore ways to successfully build a sustainable growth strategy in the emerging plant-based, fermentation-made and cultivated meat sectors, beginning with four key questions startups should be asking themselves.
The food industry is cut-throat, and growing a startup to a mature company is an incredibly difficult journey, read the full blog for more on how alternative protein companies can begin to approach this challenge, and learn more about how these questions apply in the real-world.
European alternative protein company database
Explore the landscape of plant-based, cultivated meat and fermentation companies in Europe. Use the database to stay up-to-date on startups, food manufacturers, and ingredient and equipment companies active in the sector.
Alternative protein company database
Use this database view to identify European companies producing plant-based, cultivated and fermentation-made meat, eggs, dairy and seafood.
Add a company to the database
While the alternative protein company database is intended to be as comprehensive as possible, it is not an exhaustive list. Know a company that is not here? Submit their information in the form below.
Request an update to the database
Spot something that needs updating? Please use the form below to request a change to any information displayed, including product type, technology focus, description, location, website, or parent company.
Global company database
Visit GFI’s global company database to explore alternative protein companies around the world, add companies that aren’t on our list, or request updates to our data.
Resources for investors and industry
Our industry experts
Latest industry news
Affordable products driving plant-based retail sales growth
Double-digit growth of more affordable own-brand products has driven an increase in plant-based retail sales across four European countries.
Alternative proteins return to centre stage at IFFA – the world’s largest meat industry trade fair
The world’s largest conventional meat fair provided valuable insights into how alternative proteins are edging closer to the mainstream.
Research: Four in 10 German and UK adults plan to eat more plant-based food
New research has found that 38% of German and UK adults intend to change their diets by eating more plant-based…
European alternative protein 2024 investment figures mark return to growth but show need for better funding options
The latest investment figures show European privately held companies developing plant-based foods, cultivated meat, and fermentation raised nearly $509 million…
Galicia invests up to €9.5 million in public-private partnership to advance plant-based infrastructure
Galicia takes a decisive step toward sustainable food production, positioning itself as a key player in plant-based protein manufacturing through…
Taste is key to a successful future for plant-based food in Italy
World-renowned for its fantastic food, it’s no surprise Italian expertise has a lot to offer in the development of delicious…
Report: European alternative protein patents jump by 960% in 10 years
The first analysis of its kind has revealed that patent publications by European alternative protein innovators have increased by 960%…
Spotlight on… Finland – the north star of alternative proteins
Finland has become an alternative protein powerhouse over recent years – not that you would know that from talking to…
GFI’s global corporate engagement
GFI’s business experts work with investors and entrepreneurs across the private sector to advance the alternative protein industry and enable market breakthroughs. Learn more about their work.
