Thumbnail Image

The rise of plant-based seafood

Year of publication 2022

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 6p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet

Synopsis (short abstract) Plant-based for seafood are being produced using a range of ingredients and processes. The growth of the sector has largely been spearheaded by start-ups, many of which claim to be providing an ethical and sustainable alternative to farmed and wild-caught seafood. As the sector evolves, it is now also beginning to attract the attention of corporate food producers. Currently, plant-based seafood is not widespread globally, with the bulk of producers being based in high-income countries. Most consumers can source traditional seafood at lower prices than plant-based products. If this business model does not change, this niche sector may struggle to penetrate the mass market.

Language English

Also available in:
No results found.

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Thumbnail Image
    Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet
    The pros and cons of cell-cultured seafood 2022
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    The document is a brief of showcase of a specific aquaculture innovation. It contains main information on the technique and approach used, scope and scale of application, accessibility and the outcome and benefits of the innovation. Currently cell-based producers are focusing on high-value species. The start-ups currently involved in cell-cultured seafood are based in the world’s technology hubs – from Silicon Valley to Singapore. The scope of the application is limited by the high production costs. While the costs are decreasing exponentially, they are still too high for cell-culture firms to compete price-wise with conventional seafood products. Most countries have yet to pass regulations regarding the consumption of cell-cultured products. Should cell-based seafood be produced on an industrial scale and at a reasonable cost, then it could help to take the pressure off wild fish stocks. Compared to aquaculture – much of which relies on feeds that include arable crops and marine ingredients – cell culture makes it possible to create tonnes of animal protein with minimal land use.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (series)
    The Seafood Market in Italy 2008
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    Fish consumption in Italy grew from 11.8 kg/pc in 1961 to 25.1 kg/pc in 2003. The main group of products purchased by Italian families is fresh seafood, with 50 percent of purchases, followed by frozen seafood (23 percent) and canned seafood (20 percent). Due to the increasing consumption and declining domestic supply, Italy is a net importer of seafood. Italian seafood imports increased from 353 300 tonnes in 1976 to 970 100 tonnes in 2006, molluscs being the main commodity imported and Spain b eing the main country of origin. Like in many other developed countries, the seafood processing sector in Italy is gradually being restricted to the niche of quality preparations.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (series)
    Present market situation and prospects of meagre (Argyrosomus regius), as an emerging species in Mediterranean aquaculture 2010
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    The present document review the aquaculture activities and the market situation and prospect of the meagre (Argyrosomus regius) in the Mediterranean countries. Meagre culture started in France and in Italy in the late ‘90s and is developing in the Mediterranean Region, jumping from a few tonnes in 2 000 to over 10 000 tonnes expected in 2010, highlighting the appearance of a new aquaculture species on the market. Meagre is currently sold by a limited number of players on niche segments (small volumes at relatively high prices to selected market segments). From a market viewpoint, meagre is endowed with intrinsic values such as attractive fish shape, good processing yield, good nutritional values, low fat content, excellent taste, firm texture suitable for a large variety of recipes. Yet it is very little known to end consumers. Meagre production is expected to grow fast in the medium term and ex-farm prices will probably drop under the pressure of increasing supply. T his is what will most likely happen if the coming increased production converges towards favourable markets like Spain, Italy and Portugal. This report draws the picture of the existing market of meagre and describes the possible routes for development. Indeed, based on its aquaculture characteristics, meagre has the potential to become a mass market species, moving from the present position of a niche species with a limited production directed to selected market segments. The paper re commends some actions to be undertaken to consolidate good conditions for future growth and to reduce commercial risks. Most of the information used originates from national data and from the author’s personal estimates.
Show more

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

No results found.