The meat of the future will be vegan, experts say

By 2040, most "meat" will be made from alternative resources rather than animals, according to a report by consulting firm AT Kearney.

The conclusion was based on interviews with industry experts. They say that within two decades, 60% of the "meat" consumed will be made in the laboratory (35%) or from products of plant origin (25%).

Alternatively sourced meats today are traditional meat substitutes such as tofu, seitan, mushrooms or jackfruit; insect proteins; and vegan substitutes, which use hemoglobin to mimic the sensations and taste of animal flesh. Laboratory meat is a newer and yet more expensive alternative.

In 2018, the alternative meat and substitute market had revenues of $ 4.6 billion, and the number is expected to increase by 20-30% for years over the next few years, until laboratory-produced meat reaches 35% of total consumption. 2040. Traditional meat substitutes are unlikely to grow so significantly because they do not have the same flavor and texture as animal meat.

The benefits are not just for those who are already vegan, because alternative meats are more sustainable than animal meat. Nowadays, however, the biggest problem is in price: In the United States, a regular beef burger costs about 80 cents, while a vegan burger costs more than $ 2. In Brazil, these numbers are even more disparate, as vegan meat production is lower.

Source: Pexels.

However, over time the tendency is for this difference to narrow. Technology will develop, production will be easier and more plentiful and consequently prices will decrease.