Welcome to the MEAT Traders’ Journal

Insider Guide to Pork, Beef, Chicken, Premium Meats and Beyond

Singapore is Crafting the Future of Meat

In 2024, Singapore is on the brink of a big change in food, as it starts to introduce lab-grown pork. This new way of producing pork could completely change the pork industry as we know it.

This innovative leap, spearheaded by Meatable, a Dutch startup, aims to combine the worlds of cultivated meat and plant-based proteins, presenting a sustainable, cruelty-free alternative to conventional pork. The goal is ambitious: to satisfy regulatory standards, particularly from the Singapore Food Agency, and to escalate production to meet the demands of both the US and Singapore markets by 2026. With a solid investment of US$95 million, the initiative reflects a robust commitment to transforming how we consume pork.

This change is happening as Singapore has been relying on importing pork for a long time, a necessity born from the high costs of local pork farming and the availability of cost-effective options abroad. Brazil, Germany, and Australia are the country’s key suppliers.

The journey towards lab-grown pork is fraught with challenges.

Challenges:

• high costs of production

• regulatory hurdles

• consumer acceptance

• scalability issues

• environmental impacts.

These challenges underscore the importance of continued innovation and research, ensuring lab-grown pork becomes viable and accessible alternative.

As Singapore navigates these challenges, the potential benefits of lab-grown pork cannot be overstated.

Benefits:

• a path towards reducing the environmental footprint of pork production

• addressing ethical concerns around animal welfare

• providing a sustainable protein source for a growing global population

• reflects a broader trend of seeking alternative protein sources

This is fascinating, but one has to wonder: why is Singapore at the forefront of this trend?

The pork market in Singapore, characterized by its transition from self-sufficiency to import reliance since 1984, is indicative of broader global shifts in food production and consumption patterns. In this context, lab-grown pork represents not just an alternative but a necessary evolution in our food systems. It holds the promise of reconciling the growing demand for meat with the imperative of sustainability.

The factors that position Singapore as a leader in pioneering food technologies such as lab-grown meat are:

• Singapore's limited land space and reliance on food imports have fueled its pursuit of innovative food solutions to ensure food security.

• The government's proactive stance in supporting and regulating new food technologies provides a fertile ground for * startups.

As Singapore stands on the brink of introducing lab-grown pork to its consumers, the initiative represents more than a technological marvel; it’s a step towards a more ethical, sustainable future in food consumption. The challenges ahead are significant, but the potential to transform the pork industry is immense. As we look towards 2026, the progress of Meatable and similar ventures will be closely watched, not just in Singapore but around the world, as we seek sustainable solutions to some of our most pressing global challenges.

Some of the companies that are also producing lab-grown meat - competitors; (here includes beef, chicken and pork):

1. Hero Espana (BJS and its subsidiary BioTech Foods | only Beef)

2. Good Meat (chicken)

3. Mosa Meat (beef)

4. Libre Foods (fungi based bacon & mycelium-based Libre Chicken)

5. SuperMeat (chicken | world’s first farm-to-fork facility)

6. Schmieding Produce

7. Skratch Labs (vegan recovery sport drink mix made by plant-based and milk-based)

8. MycoTechnology (fermented plant based protein - shiitake mushroom mycelia)

9. Mission Barns (pork | cultivated bacon, sausages, meatballs)

10. NewForm Foods

11. Daiz (plant based meats with Ochiai Germination method)

12. Vow/Forged (culture Japanese quail, parfait, mammoth meatball

13. Memery (European cultured pork)

14. O meat (cultivated beef)

15. Ever After Foods (cultivated chicken and beef)

16. Upside Foods (cultivated chicken)

17. Scifi Foods (cultivated beef)

These operate in the cultivated meat and alternative protein sector. In this article I mentioned Meatable because their innovative approach of producing hybrid pork that combines cultivated meat and plant-based protein set it apart in the market. However, the truth is that Meatable competes with these companies for market share that also share major obstacles like high production costs, regulatory hurdles and consumer acceptance.

I can’t stop to wonder if this is a sustainable and ethical alternative to produce what we call meat. Only R&D and time will address these important key challenges.

Globally there are more than 150 companies are focusing on meat from cells for chicken, pork, lamb, fish and beef. Also there are that do fish as well. Rather than price, after visiting all these websites and research, I believe that their main obstacle it is acceptance. Maybe new future generations will understand better.

^{This article is a product of my genuine curiosity and dedication to providing valuable insights, without any external influence or sponsorship. The opinions expressed here are solely mine, based on thorough research and a deep interest in the subject matter. My aim is to share knowledge and perspectives that I believe will be beneficial to my readers, without any bias or promotion from third parties.}

Iberico Sales Trainning

At Meat Trading Hub (MTH) we are thrilled to bring you some sizzling news! In January, we really turned up the heat (metaphorically speaking) with engaging and informative training session at the Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City branches at New Viet Diary in Vietnam.

The star of the show? the one-and-only Spanish Iberico Breed! With around 60 attendees from sales, chefs and quality control teams, we embarked on a two-hour immersion into the world of Iberico and premium pork meats.

Our very own Laura Valls from MTH took center stage, dishing out the must-known facts about Iberico and Black Pork. From its rich history to its unbeatable health benefits and key selling points, Laura left no stone unturned.

But we didn’t just talk the talk,- we walk the flavor-packed walk too! A lively Q&A session equipped attendees with the tools to handle customer queries like pros. And then, the pièce de résistance: a "Cooking Lab Experience" were we sampled soon-to-be-launched Black Pork cuts in Vietnam. We even experienced the mouthwatering Iberico Hot Pot. Delicioso!

Consider this just an amuse-bouche, though. We are cooking up plans to roll out more of these meaty training sessions across Vietnam and Asia. After all, the world deserves to know why Iberico pork is a cut above the rest when it comes to taste and health.

Eager to infuse your team with this expertise? Reach out to MTH directly. Together, we will craft a tailor-made training sessions that perfectly satisfied your team’s hunger for success.

Check it out:

Did you know…?🔍

Grass Fed vs. Grain Fed Beef Meat Differences?

If we compare Grass Fed vs. Gran Fed Beef we find that Grass-Fed Beed offer several nutritional benefits: lower in fat, higher in Omega-3 fatty acids, higher in CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), higher in vitamins and antioxidants, lower in monounsaturated fats and lower in Omega-6 polyunsaturated Fats. However, there is no compelling evidence that grass-fed beef is healthier when it comes to a balanced diet.

However, what we do know is that Grass-fed meat has higher costs, lower marbling, lower availability and has a significant environmental impact as it requires more land.

Here a table to digest this information a bit easier:

One last thing…

If you are aiming to strengthen your business foothold in the APAC Market in this areas:

• Market Expansion and helping with client Acquisition

• New Market Fit with product/specification development

• Sales Growth and Price Optimization with Market Intel

• Sales Training and objection ideation to gain new clients

There are 3 ways that Meat Trading Hub (MTH) can help you:

✅Market Advisory 1:1

✅Collaborative Partnership

✅On-line and off-line Training sessions to elevate export/sales team

Schedule a discovery call and let’s explore opportunities together!

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