How Switch Foods locally produces plant-based alternatives to meat

According to global data and business intelligence platform Statista, the plant-based meat market is expected to be worth USD 33.99 billion by 2027. And while that should be motivation enough for anyone starting a business in this space, it’s also motivating enough for founder Edward Hamoud, who founded his food tech startup Switch Foods in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2022. One of the impetus for (producing plant-based alternatives to meat locally) was personal experience working in the F&B industry. “I have been in the food business since 2005 and have owned, managed and led many successful food companies across the region,” Hamoud reveals. “But in 2017, I started learning more about the impact our food system has on personal health and the planet as a whole. Since then, I have shifted my thinking from an exclusively commercial focus to a more focused focus. The purpose of my work and how I can use my experience and network in the food industry to build something ‘good’. I quickly realized that our food system has a serious impact on our health and the environment, and that the production and consumption of animal meat is a major part of the problem. I also quickly learned that there are healthy and sustainable alternatives to meat on supermarket shelves. ”

Now, all of Hamoud’s observations can be backed up by multiple studies showing the negative impact of food production, especially meat, on climate change. A 2023 article published in MIT Technology Review highlights that producing cultured or plant-based meat can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 78% to 96% compared to conventional meat. This is in stark contrast to the fact that production accounts for about 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions. emissions. “We live in a world where health, sustainability and global climate change are on the agenda of every government, on the minds of most people, and where urgent and drastic action is needed. ” Hamoud added. “One of the main sources of health risks, pollution, deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions is our food system. The energy industry is spending billions of dollars to reduce emissions and switch to greener solutions. If we, as food producers and consumers, do nothing to improve individual health and slow or reverse the impact of our food system on the world, we will need plant-based alternatives. and increasing consumer inclusion of plant-based foods in their diets is essential. Climate change.”

While the move towards plant-based meat is currently trending in the West, it is also slowly but surely becoming mainstream in the Middle East. In fact, according to a 2022 report by Mordor Intelligence, the plant-based meat market in the Middle East and Africa is less concentrated compared to the global market, but is still expected to grow at a healthy compound annual growth rate. It is expected to increase by 6.44% and reach a value of $412.96 million by 2027.

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Hamoud added that his startup’s products have great value because consumer trends are very unique within such a growing ecosystem. “In regions where meat consumption is high, three times the average recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the plant-based meat category remains very small compared to other markets such as the US, UK and Europe.” he says. “This niche category has seen slow growth and below-average global size in recent years due to high-priced generic imports (hamburgers, sausages, nuggets). We want to lead and grow the company as a whole. At Switch, we provide products that are familiar to the region, products that are used on everyday meals, and products that are particular about the taste and eating habits of the region. on a global level with unique products tailored to the interests of people. Locally, its prices are competitive with those of meat products such as hamburgers, ground beef, kababs and kaftas. This reflects the situation in the food category as a whole. change.”

Source: Switch Foods

This localized approach has given Switch Foods much success to date. In April 2023, the company launched his 2,000 square meter premises. A plant-based meat production center was established in Abu Dhabi, and since then, he has expanded to Carrefour, Organic Food Café, Gean, Union Co-op, Sharjah Co-op, Spinneys, and online his platforms such as Talabat, Kibsons, Careem, and Noon. Earlier this year, Switch Foods also announced a partnership with UAE-based real estate company The First Group. This will see the former’s sustainable plant-based options offered across the latter’s F&B portfolio of 35 UAE-based restaurants. TV Experience, Risen, Solna Beach, The Blacksmith Bar & Italy, Village Bistro, The First Collection at Jumeirah Village Circle, Millennium Place Marina. “We only launched 10 months ago, but we are already moving into neighboring markets,” Hamoud added. “We have received positive feedback from the industry, with major local restaurant chains expressing interest in partnering with us, as consumers have praised the quality and taste of our products. “To keep our products local, sustainable and affordable,” we also plan to build production facilities in each of the major markets we enter. ”

With plans like this underway, it’s safe to say that Switch Foods is only just beginning its growth story, and the company’s future looks bright.

Eureka!Edward Hammod on how to turn ideas into great things

Truly understand the problem you want to solve “Most of these problems arise through our daily lives and less focused everyday experiences, such as at work, at home, while traveling, etc. Once a problem or problem is identified, individuals never “They should never think that they are satisfied with the current state of the problem, that people are already looking into it, and that we have reached the limit. With today’s advances in technology, , new solutions to problems are provided every day.”

Don’t believe that great ideas come to you after an hour or even a day of thinking. “Good ideas take time to develop, clarify, and process. Ideas start as thoughts and, given enough time and focus, continue to be explored deeply until they become actionable ideas.” This may take days, weeks, or even months, but it’s important to be patient and do the necessary research first and foremost.”

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