Beyond Meat (Jiaxing) Food Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Beyond Meat, Inc., has signed an agreement with Jiaxing Economic & Technological Development Zone (JXEDZ) to design and develop manufacturing facilities at a site near Shanghai to produce plant-based alternative meat products including faux beef, pork and chicken under the Beyond Meat brand in China.
El Segundo, California-headquartered Beyond Meat says it will thus be the first multinational company focused solely on plant-based meat production to operate its own major production facility in the PRC.
Senior Advisor Micky Pant, the former chief executive officer of Yum China, commented: “Beyond Meat is building the perfect road to long term success in China. It has the confidence to set up dedicated, cutting edge production capacity via a wholly owned subsidiary on the mainland. The JXEDZ is a visionary and proactive partner with an excellent record in supporting the food industry.”
The company has already penetrated the market and is distributing meatless burger patties to both the retail and foodservice customers through Alibaba’s Freshippo grocery stores as well as Starbucks and YUM China’s KFC, Pizza Hut (see product photos above and below) and Taco Bell restaurants.
“China is one of the world’s largest markets for animal-based meat products, and potentially for plant-based meat,” said Ethan Brown, chief executive officer and founder of Beyond Meat. “We are delighted and confident that after several months of productive and collaborative discussions, we will partner with the JXEDZ to develop two production facilities, including one of the world’s largest and technologically advanced plant-based meat factories.”
Candy Chan, general manager for Beyond Meat in China, added: “With its expertise in the food industry, proximity to Shanghai, and excellent logistics and people capabilities, the JXEDZ will be the perfect partner and location for our ambitious plans for the China market.”
Work has begun on the project, and trial production is anticipated to commence within a few months with full-scale production geared up by early 2021. China is expected to be one of the most important markets in the world for Beyond Meat in the years to come.
