The business of alternative protein

Rocketing consumer demand is driving huge investment in Europe’s plant-based, cultivated meat and fermentation sectors.

As an international NGO, the Good Food Institute Europe supports the food industry to make delicious and affordable plant-based meat available across Europe, and prepares the sector for the arrival of cultivated meat.

Consumer demand for alternative proteins is important for industry

Europe sales data 2020-2022

Our analysis of Nielsen IQ data across 13 European countries shows sales of plant-based foods grew by 21% between 2020 and 2022 to reach a record €5.8 billion. Explore the data with breakdowns by country and category.

plant-based pizza
Sustainable protein innovation priorities initiative

Building the roadmap to alternative protein success

Europe’s plant-based, cultivated meat and fermentation companies are growing rapidly. But to keep up the momentum and maximise its potential benefits for the environment, food security and public health, the alternative protein sector needs to be strategic.

GFI Europe has spoken to 26 investors, entrepreneurs and other industry experts from 10 countries about where the challenges are. Our findings will help the sector chart a course to success.

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 new companies and products in the space, find a manufacturing partner, or identify groundbreaking startups. 

Manufacturers and brands

Alternative protein manufacturers and brands

Use this database view to identify European companies producing plant-based, cultivated and fermentation-made meat, eggs, dairy and seafood. 

Ingredients and equipment

Alternative proteins ingredient and equipment companies

Use this database view to identify European companies producing ingredients or equipment for plant-based, cultivated, and fermentation-made meat, eggs, dairy and seafood. While a wide variety of inputs can be used for these products, companies are only included in the database if alternative protein applications are a key focus of the company. 

Global company database

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.

Latest industry news

Picture of hands holding a nutritious plant-based ham and salad wrap. Meaty terms can help consumers understand how to use a product.

Italian Government ‘open’ to reconsidering ban on meaty terms

Italian Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida has told Parliament the government is talking to plant-based meat companies to hear their concerns…

APP 2024: join the student movement shaping the future of food

From Portugal to Türkiye – students across Europe are taking a leading role in a global movement turning universities into…

Europe aspires to lead in cleantech and biotech – but they need alternative proteins to win the race

It’s time for policymakers to rethink their approach, and give the same level of priority to alternative proteins as they…

2023 round-up: finding the levers to move alternative proteins forward

This year has been pivotal for alternative proteins, particularly in Europe. Here is our round-up of GFI Europe’s 2023 highlights.

How public-private partnerships are accelerating alternative proteins: a case study from the North East of England

We visited mycoprotein pioneers Quorn Foods and the Centre for Process Innovation, home to the UK’s National Industrial Biotechnology Facility,…

Plant-based food products

Over 50% of Europeans are eating less meat, but taste and price remain biggest barriers to plant-based uptake

More than half of European consumers are eating less meat, but taste and price remain the biggest barriers to wider…

Alternative proteins in European food culture – chefs offer a serving of wisdom at Good Food Conference

Last week’s Good Food Conference was a fantastic opportunity to take stock of how far the global plant-based, cultivated meat…

How to overcome hurdles for plant-based and fermentation scale-up: a case study from Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park

With economic headwinds facing the food sector, conducting sorely needed research and development into healthy, sustainable foods is harder than…

Plant-based cafe

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.