New perspectives for plant -based nutrition: A look back at the New Food Conference 2024
New perspectives for plant -based nutrition: A look back at the New Food Conference 2024
New insights into alternative proteins: The highlight of the New Food Conference 2024
Berlin, September 10, 2024
On September 3, the New Food Conference took place in Berlin, an important event for the industry of alternative proteins. This event attracted experts and decision -makers from Europe, including representatives from Denmark, Italy and Brazil, Chile and Mexico. Among the invited speakers was also Renate Künast, a well -known politician and former Federal Minister of Food.
Sustainability in the focus of the discussions
As part of the conference, the term sustainability became a key topic. Dirk Liebenberg, market expert of Proveg, explained that retailers are increasingly recognizing the advantages of sustainability benchmarks. Lidl has started to measure the ratio of animal and plant -based products in its sales volume, while Aldi Süd is aiming for similar destinations. These steps show the importance of the sustainability approach in the modern grocery landscape.
Change in consumer behavior
Consumers in Dach countries, including Germany, Austria and Switzerland, have reduced their consumption of animal products more than in other European countries. According to Elsa Guadarrama from Proveg, the market for plant -based products in Germany is the largest in Europe, which is not least due to the increase in sales by discounters.
Technological progress and investment
The conference meeting also made it clear that innovative technologies and new categories are of great importance for the industry. Christian Pichler, Managing Director of Gerber-Rauth, noticed that the industry learned from previous challenges to concentrate on essential aspects and use resources efficiently. Precision fermentation in particular is considered a key technology for future growth in the area of alternative foods.
The role of the food service
also helpful in establishing new products is the food service sector. Randi Wahlste von Matr Foods emphasized that high quality support from chefs is crucial for success in retail markets. Professional preparation in the out-of-house market helps to strengthen trust in the quality and taste of plant-based products.
The challenge of consumer communication
The challenge remains to reach consumers who already find their lives sufficiently complex. Martine van Haperen, nutrition expert at Proveg, found that it is crucial to communicate sustainability as a topic without focusing on it. Products whose preparation resembles the familiar, animal foods have better chances of convincing people.
A positive signal for agriculture
Another important aspect of the conference was the dialogue with the agricultural sector. Rune-Chrioffer Dragsdahl from the Vegetarian Society of Denmark underlined the desire for trust and cooperation between food and agriculture. The introduction of legumes could, for example, serve in response to climatic challenges such as drought.
FAZIT: A mature market with multi -layered possibilities
The knowledge of the New Food Conference clarifies that the market for alternative proteins has become mature and has developed positively in many European countries. The combination of technological progress, changed consumption behavior and the focus on sustainability suggests a promising future for the industry. The relocation of purely animal to plant -based products could not only revolutionize nutrition, but also make a significant contribution to sustainability.