Is the Meat Industry Going Vegan?

Since the United States of America was founded, food has played an important role, especially meat on holidays; burgers on the Fourth of July, turkey on Thanksgiving, and much more. Yet, within the last two decades, different meat alternatives have started to disrupt sales in the meat industry. Does this mean the meat industry as we know it is coming to an end?

Each year, more and more people are switch to meat alternatives. Some people switch for health reasons, some for environmental benefits, and others for the sake of animals. Two of the most well known meatless burger alternatives are the Beyond Burger and the Impossible Burger. The Beyond Burger is a plant-based, non-GMO burger look-alike that has about $90 million in sales. The company has worked with distributors to get its product into stores throughout countries like Australia and Chile.  The Impossible Burger, which is made from genetically modified soy and plants, has had success selling in Burger King, and other stores across the United States. These are just two examples of major players in the fake meat industry. Now, well-known companies like Tyson and Perdue are trying their hand at creating meatless meat.

What once began as a way to help the environment, has now turned into an international movement away from meat. Countries like China are taking an interest in different meat alternatives. Pork prices have been on the rise, so there is becoming less of a demand for it. In addition, Chinese farmers have been battling Swine Flu outbreaks, so meatless meat has become a much safer option. By 2030, analysts project that the market for plant-based protein and lab-created meat alternatives could be worth as much as $85 billion. The meat industry is not going anywhere any time soon.