Planted opens new production facility in Bavaria: The future of meat!

Planted opens new production facility in Bavaria: The future of meat!

In Memmingen, Bavaria, there will be a lot of work on the green protein front in the future. The Swiss manufacturer Planted recently opened a new factory that doubles production capacity. This means that more than 20 tons of plant-based meat are produced every day - an output that is on par with the current production in Kemptthal in Switzerland. The goal is clear: Planted wants to produce not only for the German market, but also for other EU countries, including Great Britain. And a good 75 percent of production is intended for export, with Germany standing out as the largest buyer Food Practice reported.

This expansion is an exciting development, especially as the site is currently at capacity. But it's not just the numbers that speak for themselves. Sustainability is also a focus: Proximity to the target markets enables more efficient logistics and ensures more environmentally friendly delivery.

A trend with perspective

But what makes plant-based foods so popular? The trend is clearly towards plant-based meat substitute products. These are not only popular with consumers, but are also beneficial for the environment. Compared to conventional meat production, plant-based alternatives cause significantly fewer greenhouse gases and require fewer resources, be it land, water or fertilizer. According to a study by the Federal Environment Agency Plant-based products have the best environmental balance.

A look at the numbers shows the explosive spread of meat substitutes: In 2023, 17% more was produced in Germany than in the previous year, and total production has more than doubled since 2019. Meat consumption, on the other hand, is falling: from 61 kg per capita in 2012 to currently 51.6 kg. The decline in pork consumption is particularly notable, while poultry meat consumption has increased in recent years.

Consumer choice

The reasons for buying plant-based meat substitutes are varied. 69% of consumers try these products out of curiosity, 64% appreciate the taste and 63% choose meat-free alternatives due to animal welfare reasons. The production of plant-based raw materials is more environmentally friendly than that of meat and many of the cultures used for meat substitutes can be grown regionally in Germany, further reducing the carbon footprint, such as Agriculture.de reported.

It is clear: the market for plant-based alternatives is growing and shows great potential. But Dirk Messner, President of the Federal Environment Agency in particular, emphasizes that there are still obstacles, especially in terms of the political framework and general acceptance. In order for environmentally friendly nutrition to gain a foothold among the general population, the prices for plant-based products must be raised.

With the new production facility in Memmingen and the growing popularity of plant-based meat alternatives, which are not only important for the palate but also for the environment, a change in the food culture of Bavaria and beyond could be imminent. We will be excited to see how this trend develops and what role the local industry plays in it.