Dairy-free Ben & Jerry’s will be among the plant-based products pushed by Unilever
Unilever has unveiled plans to grow its share of the booming meat-free market.
The consumer goods giant has said it aims to increase annual sales of its plant-based meat and dairy alternatives to €1 billion within five to seven years.
The company said it expects €200 million in sales from plant-based substitutes this year, with its Vegetarian Butcher brand acquired in 2018 growing “explosively”.
The announcement is part of Unilever's new “Future Foods” initiative, which it says aims to help people eat more healthily while reducing the environmental impact of the supply chain.
Unilever CEO Alan Jope has said climate change is a crucial issue for corporations
UnileverHanneke Faber, president of the group's foods and refreshment division, said: “We have a critical role to play in helping to transform the global food system.”
Unilever - behind brands including Ben & Jerry's and Hellmann's - said it will focus on the expansion of products such as dairy-free ice cream and mayonnaise.
It will also grow its soya and algae-based meat substitute offerings.
Last year the corporate sealed a deal with Burger King to provide its European patties, beating competition from sector heavyweights such as Beyond Meat.
It comes after CEO Alan Jope warned business leaders earlier this month that big corporations must act in an environmentally and socially responsible way or they will miss out on the best millennial and Gen Z talent.
