According to DSM, an increasing number of consumers are opting for flexitarian, vegetarian, and vegan diets due to personal, health, and environmental motivations. This shift in consumer behavior underscores the need to develop more plant-based protein sources to meet this growing demand. The prospective applications that the two companies are focusing on with this new protein align well with current trends. They highlighted that its functional properties, high nutritional value, and well-balanced taste profile make it suitable for meat and dairy alternatives, baked goods, and protein bars. This could prompt manufacturers of plant-based burgers, cheeses, nut-based beverages, vegan pastries, and protein snacks—products that consumers are increasingly exploring—to consider this protein.
The market potential for such protein products is promising. A recent report from The Good Food Institute indicated that investments in plant-based meat, egg, and dairy companies reached $673 million last year. Additionally, GFI noted that retail sales of plant-based foods replacing animal products surged by 17% to over $3.7 billion in 2018. Another strategic advantage of this new canola protein product is its non-GMO status. Marketing it in the U.S. could benefit from the forthcoming federal GMO labeling requirements, especially since consumer surveys reveal a lingering skepticism about genetically modified foods, despite a general lack of knowledge about the specifics.
Other companies have already ventured into canola-based protein products, such as Burcon Nutrascience in Canada, where canola is among the country’s key crops. Furthermore, specialized canola varieties rich in omega-3 fatty acids are garnering industry interest. For instance, a subsidiary of Australia’s Nufarm, Ltd. received U.S. Agriculture Department approval last year to begin cultivating a genetically modified canola variety containing genes from microalgae. Typically, canola is cultivated for oil and oilseed meal, the latter containing 36% protein. This meal is primarily utilized as feed for cattle, pigs, and fish, as well as in pet food and fertilizers. Beyond cooking oil and oilseed meal, canola is also used to produce biodiesel and bio-plastics. If the product from DSM and Avril gains widespread adoption, the demand for canola could rise significantly among various competing industries, potentially driving up costs.
In light of these developments, consumers may also be curious about nutritional needs, such as when should you take calcium citrate, particularly as they transition to plant-based diets that might require careful supplementation to ensure proper nutrient intake.