Not long ago, the idea of meat that never came from an animal sounded like a sci-fi concept or a niche curiosity. Fast forward to today, and lab-grown meat, plant-based alternatives, and other food-tech innovations are reshaping not just supermarket shelves, but investment portfolios. As consumer demand shifts and sustainability becomes a driving economic force, food production is undergoing a revolution—and it’s one that investors are watching closely.
Un nuovo gusto per l'innovazione
The global alternative protein market, which includes both plant-based meat and cultivated (lab-grown) meat, was valued at around $ 14 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow to more than $ 140 billion by 2030, according to estimates by Boston Consulting Group and Blue Horizon. This dramatic growth—nearly tenfold in under a decade—is being fueled by a blend of environmental concerns, health-conscious consumers, and breakthroughs in food technology.
Lab-grown meat, also known as cultivated or cultured meat, is produced by growing animal cells in a bioreactor rather than raising and slaughtering livestock. Companies like Upside Foods (formerly Memphis Meats), Mosa Meat, and Eat Just have already made significant headway. In 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the sale of cultivated chicken in restaurants—an early but important step toward mainstream adoption.
Meanwhile, the plant-based sector has matured rapidly. Brands like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods are now household names, with Beyond Meat debuting on the NASDAQ in 2019 and reaching a market cap of over $ 13 billion at its peak. Although valuations have since cooled, the trend toward meat alternatives hasn’t reversed. In fact, major food producers such as Nestlé, Tyson, and Unilever have entered the space, validating its long-term viability.
Perché gli investitori prestano attenzione
Diversi fattori rendono questo settore interessante per gli investitori lungimiranti:
- Sostenibilità: Traditional animal agriculture accounts for approximately 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization. Cultivated meat has the potential to reduce land use by up to 95% and water use by up to 78% compared to conventional meat production, making it highly appealing in an ESG-focused investment world.
- Tendenze della salute: I consumatori sono sempre più attenti a ciò che mangiano. La richiesta di opzioni a basso contenuto di colesterolo, prive di antibiotici e cruelty-free è in crescita, soprattutto tra le generazioni più giovani. Secondo un'indagine del Good Food Institute, quasi il 40% dei millennial e della Gen Z sta riducendo attivamente il consumo di carne.
- Fossato tecnologico: This isn’t a market where anyone can quickly join. Developing food-grade cell cultures, bioreactors, and sustainable supply chains requires high levels of innovation and capital, creating strong barriers to entry—and potentially large rewards for early-stage investors.
- Sicurezza alimentare globale: Poiché la popolazione mondiale si avvicina a 10 miliardi di persone entro il 2050, le fonti proteiche scalabili, meno vulnerabili alle epidemie e alle interruzioni della catena di approvvigionamento, sono sempre più considerate una parte necessaria dell'ecosistema di approvvigionamento alimentare.
Come ottenere un'esposizione
While direct investment in private startups remains limited to venture capital firms and accredited investors, retail investors can still gain exposure through publicly traded companies and ETFs. Beyond Meat (BYND) remains the most visible public play, despite recent volatility. Additionally, food conglomerates like Nestlé and Kellogg’s have ramped up investment in plant-based lines, making them potential indirect beneficiaries.
Gli ETF tematici come il Global X AgTech & Food Innovation ETF (KROP) o il VegTech Plant-based Innovation & Climate ETF (EATV) offrono un'esposizione diversificata al settore e possono interessare gli investitori che preferiscono un ampio paniere di partecipazioni alla selezione di singoli titoli.
Lo sguardo a lungo termine: Tendenza o trasformazione?
Although short-term sentiment around plant-based meat companies has faced headwinds—Beyond Meat’s stock has declined more than 80% since its IPO peak—the long-term story remains compelling. Technological progress is ongoing, regulatory approval is expanding, and consumer awareness is growing steadily. As with many disruptive trends, early volatility may mask the scale of the transformation underway.
It’s worth noting that investor enthusiasm should be tempered with realism. Not every startup will survive, and profitability timelines remain uncertain. However, for those with a high-risk tolerance and a long-term horizon, the food-tech revolution could be one of the most impactful and rewarding areas of innovation to invest in over the coming decades.
Guardare avanti: Scommettere sul prossimo boccone
Whether you’re an ESG-focused investor, a tech enthusiast, or simply looking to diversify into emerging sectors, the intersection of food technology and sustainability represents a unique frontier. The challenge for investors is no longer whether this space will grow—it’s figuring out which companies will lead the charge and how best to position a portfolio for the next evolution in what we eat.
