In this article, we discuss the 10 best alternative meat stocks to invest in.
The alternative meat industry, encompassing both plant-based and cultivated meat products, is poised for significant growth as it addresses global challenges related to health, sustainability, and animal welfare. This burgeoning sector has captured the attention of consumers, investors, and policymakers alike, with a future outlook that is both promising and complex. To understand where the industry is headed, it is essential to explore current trends, market projections, and expert opinions. The alternative meat market has seen rapid expansion over the past decade, with global sales of plant-based meat alone surpassing $7 billion in 2020. According to a report by Allied Market Research, the plant-based meat market is expected to reach $35.5 billion by 2027, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 15.8% from 2021 to 2027. This growth is fueled by increasing consumer awareness of the environmental impact of traditional meat production, as well as concerns about health and animal welfare.
Cultivated meat, though still in the early stages of commercialization, is also projected to become a major player in the alternative protein market. The Good Food Institute (GFI) estimates that the cultivated meat industry could reach $25 billion by 2030, driven by advancements in cell-culturing technologies and increasing consumer acceptance. One of the key drivers of this growth is the potential to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of meat production. Traditional livestock farming is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, land degradation, and water consumption. The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that the livestock sector accounts for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with beef production being the most intensive. In contrast, plant-based meats have a much lower environmental impact. A study published in the journal Science found that producing plant-based meat alternatives generates up to 90% fewer greenhouse gas emissions, uses 93% less land, and consumes 46% less energy compared to conventional beef production. Cultivated meat also holds promise for reducing the environmental impact, though its full potential will depend on the scalability of production and improvements in energy efficiency.
Health concerns are another significant factor driving the adoption of alternative meats. Diets high in red and processed meats have been linked to various health issues, including heart disease, cancer, and obesity. In contrast, plant-based meats typically offer lower levels of saturated fat and cholesterol, making them a healthier alternative for consumers looking to reduce their meat intake without sacrificing taste and texture. Moreover, advancements in food technology are enabling companies to fortify alternative meats with additional nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids, to further enhance their health benefits. However, some critics argue that many plant-based meats are still highly processed and contain high levels of sodium, which could pose health risks if consumed in large quantities.
Despite the positive trends, the alternative meat industry faces several challenges that could impact its future growth. Consumer acceptance remains a significant hurdle, particularly for cultivated meat. While plant-based meats have gained widespread popularity, with brands like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods becoming household names, cultivated meat is still met with skepticism by some consumers due to its novel production process and perceived unnaturalness. A survey conducted by GFI in 2021 found that while 40% of consumers in the United States were willing to try cultivated meat, only 30% were willing to make it a regular part of their diet. To overcome this challenge, companies in the cultivated meat space are focusing on transparency, education, and marketing efforts to build consumer trust and familiarity with their products.
Price parity with conventional meat is another critical factor that will influence consumer acceptance. Currently, alternative meats are often more expensive than traditional meats, which can be a barrier to widespread adoption. However, as production scales and technologies improve, experts predict that the cost of alternative meats will decrease, making them more accessible to a broader audience. A report by Boston Consulting Group suggests that by 2035, alternative proteins could reach price parity with conventional meat, further accelerating their adoption. Investment in the alternative meat industry has skyrocketed in recent years, reflecting growing confidence in its long-term potential. According to GFI, investment in alternative proteins reached a record $3.1 billion in 2020, with significant contributions from venture capital firms, corporate investors, and even traditional meat companies like Tyson Foods and Cargill.
This influx of capital is driving innovation across the industry, with companies exploring new sources of plant-based proteins, such as algae, fungi, and insects, as well as advancements in cell-culturing techniques for cultivated meat. The development of hybrid products that combine plant-based and cultivated ingredients is also an emerging trend, offering a middle ground between the two approaches and appealing to a wider range of consumers. The regulatory environment will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the alternative meat industry. In 2020, Singapore became the first country to approve the sale of cultivated meat, a landmark decision that could pave the way for other countries to follow suit. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration and the US Department of Agriculture are working together to establish a regulatory framework for cultivated meat, which is expected to accelerate the commercialization of these products.
However, regulatory approval is just one piece of the puzzle. Labeling requirements, food safety standards, and intellectual property protections will also need to be addressed as the industry grows. Clear and consistent labeling will be particularly important to ensure that consumers can make informed choices about the products they purchase. The future of the alternative meat industry is bright, with strong growth prospects driven by consumer demand for sustainable, healthy, and ethical food options. However, the industry must navigate several challenges, including consumer acceptance, pricing, and regulatory hurdles, to fully realize its potential. As innovation continues to drive the development of new products and production methods, and as investment flows into the sector, the alternative meat industry is well-positioned to play a key role in the global food system of the future.
Chefs in a fast-food kitchen preparing burgers and fries.
Our Methodology
For this article, we selected food stocks that offer lab-grown or alternative meat products by sifting through ETFs and online rankings. We selected the 10 stocks that were the most popular among hedge funds, as of Q2 2024. The hedge fund data was sourced from Insider Monkey’s database.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
Best Alternative Meat Stocks to Invest In
10. Steakholder Foods Ltd. (NASDAQ:STKH)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 1
Steakholder Foods Ltd. (NASDAQ:STKH) is a deep-tech food company that engages in the development of cultivated meat technologies to manufacture cultivated meat without animal slaughter in Israel. The company is different from plant-based meat firms since it specializes in cultivated meat, which is grown directly from animal cells. Some of the products include cultivated beef, chicken, and pork, as well as 3D bioprinted meat. The 3D bioprinted steak, part of the 3D bioprinted suite of products, uses a combination of cultured cells and 3D printing technology to create a steak with the desired marbling, texture, and taste. The process allows for precise control over the structure, offering the possibility of customizing fat content and other characteristics.
Steakholder Foods Ltd. (NASDAQ:STKH) has also shown interest in developing hybrid products that combine cultured meat with plant-based ingredients. These products aim to offer a middle ground between traditional meat and fully plant-based options, providing a more sustainable and potentially more affordable alternative.
9. Beyond Meat, Inc. (NASDAQ:BYND)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 10
Beyond Meat, Inc, (NASDAQ:BYND) manufactures, markets, and sells plant-based meat products in the United States and internationally. The company is one of the biggest alternative meat providers in the world. Many large retail chains across the US carry the products from this brand that is sometimes termed the iPhone of the alternative meat world. The alternative meat portfolio of the firm includes burgers, sausages, meatball, jerky, beef, and chicken products, among others. The company also sells lab-grown meat products. The gross margins for the company have been improving in recent months because of price hikes and effective cost-cutting measures.
Wall Street continues to view Beyond Meat, Inc. (NASDAQ:BYND) with cautious optimism. BMO Capital recently lowered the price target on the shares to $6 from $9 and kept a Market Perform rating, underlining that the Q2 revenue and gross margins of the firm had topped expectations but EBITDA was $1 million below on higher operating expenses. The advisory added that the firm was making progress right-sizing cost structure and slowing cash burn.
8. Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE:HRL)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 31
Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE:HRL) develops, processes, and distributes various meat, nuts, and food products to retail, foodservice, deli, and commercial customers internationally. The firm has a large alternative meat business. Some of the famous brands in this portfolio include Happy Little Plants, Applegate Naturals, Lloyd’s Plant-Based Products, and Herbivorous Butcher. The firm posted earnings for the second quarter of 2024 back in May, reporting earnings per share of $0.038, beating market estimates by $0.02. The revenue over the period was close to $2.9 billion.
The strength of the retail business of Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE:HRL) has forced Wall Street analysts to view the firm in a bullish manner. Citi analyst Thomas Palmer recently upgraded the stock to Buy from Neutral with a price target of $37, up from $33. In an investor note, the analyst detailed that there was slight upside potential to fiscal Q3 and fiscal 2024 earnings estimates for the firm and further upside in fiscal years 2025 and 2026, as underlying retail sales trends seemed to be improving, the input cost environment seemed benign, and production declines by the turkey industry would soon send prices higher.