Plant based meat manufacturers shift strategies to lower production costs

Plant based meat manufacturers are shifting away from using dedicated processing facilities to manage high operational costs and uncertain demand, Food Navigator reported. Alternative production models such as contract manufacturing, shared infrastructure, and repurposed assets are becoming popular among smaller companies seeking flexibility. [1]

The operational shift comes as the sector shows signs of financial recovery. Food Navigator reported, citing data from Euromonitor International, that global sales of plant based meat and seafood substitutes grew by 8.1 percent between 2024 and 2025. [1]

The industry includes long-standing market players such as Beyond Meat, which was founded in 2009 by Ethan Brown and first launched its plant based products in the United States in 2012. [2]

Industry observers indicate that the reliance on dedicated manufacturing plants for plant based products is declining, according to Food Navigator. Food producers are adopting shared facilities to control capital expenditure while navigating shifting market volumes. [1]