Thilo Wrede

Snack Trends Alert! Protein power, sustainability strides, and flavor fusions are reshaping snacking in 2024! Key takeaways from a recent article in Food Business News by Brooke Just: Protein Reigns Supreme: General Mills, Kodiak Cakes, and @Wilde Brands are leading the charge with protein-packed snacks, responding to consumer demand for healthier options. From bars to chips, protein is the star of the show, offering guilt-free indulgence with a health halo. Sugar Reduction: Consumers are seeking sweet treats without the added sugar, driving brands to explore natural alternatives like dates. With Date Better Snacks leading the way, snacks sweetened with dates offer nostalgia without the naughty, appealing to health-conscious snackers. Sustainability: Upcycled foods are making waves in the snack industry, with brands like Mosh and Balanced Tiger leading the charge. By repurposing overlooked ingredients, these brands are not only reducing food waste but also creating sustainable snack options for a greener planet. Super Mushrooms: Mushrooms are emerging as a powerhouse ingredient in snacks, offering health benefits and unique flavor profiles. From bars to chips, lion's mane and other super mushrooms are becoming mainstream, blurring the lines between functional foods and indulgent treats. Evolving Flavors: Bold new flavors like jalapeño and dill pickle are shaking up the snack scene, appealing to adventurous taste buds. With brands like Sister Schubert's and Good Foods Group, LLC leading the way, savory snacks are getting a spicy makeover. Looking to tap into these trends and take your snacks to the next level? Upcycled Foods, Inc. (UP, Inc.) has the solution! Our ReGrained SuperGrain+ is a B2B ingredient that can enhance protein, fiber, and flavor in snack foods, all while addressing sustainability. By repurposing nutritious grains that would otherwise go to waste, Upcycled Foods helps snack food manufacturers create delicious, nutritious, and planet-friendly snacks that consumers will love. Join us in revolutionizing snacking for a healthier, more sustainable future! #SnackRevolution #alternativeproteins #upcycledfoods #foodwaste #snacktrends #SustainableSnacking #Regrained Daniel Kurzrock Upcycled Food Association

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Lots of talk about the coffee market lately, for those who are interested in what the hell is going on with the Futures market, here's a great look from a few weeks back. The TL:dr answer: it's complicated. Macro & micro economic factors, lots of technical trading and some big moves by speculators have driven the market up to some high highs in the past month. If your curious for a more in-depth and technical analysis, reach out and I can add you to my reports when I send them out (consolidating all of the information I get from some very smart people). cc: Coffee Intelligence #specialtycoffee

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AB InBev has reported a rise of 2.6% in first-quarter sales, in line with forecasts, but the impact of a roughly year-old U.S boycott of key brand Bud Light continued to hurt the brewer. AB InBev also sold slightly more beer than anticipated, with volumes falling 0.6% versus the 1% anticipated by analysts. Own beer volumes declined by 1.3%, while non-beer volumes rose by 3.5%. Read more https://lnkd.in/dCKmtukA

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John Roulac synthetic fertilizers are used in so much of our food. Its all about creating large profits for certain companies and sectors without any regard for soil, planet or human health. Its not about informing the public about what is best for their health. Most people do not see the correlation of eating chicken fed by CAFO's to their declining health. Most people do not understand CAFO's and what chickens are being fed to supply market demand. Its crucial that people watch Kiss The Ground and Common Ground (Movie) documentaries and help create the impact necessary for a healthier planet and healthier humans. I think that following Erin Wiedmer, Josh Tickell Rebecca Tickell Ryland Engelhart Finian Makepeace Leah Penniman MOMS ACROSS AMERICA yourself and many other knowledgeable voices will help inform people and educate them about what is being grown, how its being grown and how it directly impacts their health. Coffee is the second most consumed beverage in the world, and most people are not interested in learning that most coffee is grown with harmful chemicals that are terrible for our soil, our planet and their health. Food is medicine! you are what you eat....and its important to understand where food comes from and how to choose food that is healing for soil, planet and us humans.

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Appreciated the opportunity to share the Dr. Praeger's journey and how our mission to pioneer food to increase veggie consumption aligns perfectly with Earth Day. What continues to surprise me is how the industry conflates a PB meat analog product with an item that is veggie-forward. As I explained during the interview...Both play a very important role in the health of the planet, but veggie-forward foods are, without exception, one of the best ways to eat healthy. I often contemplate why PB milk is 20%+ of the category while Meat and Cheese is less than 4% of their respective categories. One possible reason is products like oat milk (my go-to choice is Oatly) tastes nothing like dairy milk, but still is a great substitute from an occasion standpoint. I think we can make a similar connection to why Dr. Praeger's California Burger is gaining share in the category. It is a great replacement for a hamburger despite the fact that it doesn't taste anything like it - and most importantly, is helping drive veggie consumption. Love working on a mission driven brand - eat your veggies everybody

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🌱 Investment Trends in the Food Ingredients Sector 🌱 Explore critical investment factors in this week's "Pathways to Prosperity" newsletter: • Innovation: Discover how R&D and technological advancements boost competitiveness. • Sustainability: Learn the importance of ESG principles in attracting and retaining investments. • Market Potential: Understand the opportunities in high-growth markets and evolving consumer preferences. With the global population set to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, innovations in AgTech and sustainable practices are crucial. Find out how Meyrick Consulting drives growth with top executive talent in the industry. 👉 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eKCPmsw2 #FoodIndustry #Sustainability #Innovation #MarketGrowth #MeyrickConsulting

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Global soybean meal production, supply, and global soybean meal consumption, demand, is a HOT topic in our world of international oilseed processing. Pessimism abounds about future profitability for soybean processors, especially here in the U.S. where significant capacity expansion will come online this year and next. I am quite optimistic and bullish about soy processing profitability in the future as I believe demand for vegetable protein meal from livestock producers will ramp significantly in the coming years. I explain why in this essay. #soybean #soybeans #agriculture #agribusiness #canola #palmoil #Cargill #Bunge #ADM #AGP #LDC #poultry #broilers #eggs #pork #beef #USSEC #NOPA #CoBank #USDA #oilandgas #renewable #renewableenergy

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What's next for Beyond Meat after another set of grim quarterly figures? - Net revenue: -18% year over year (YoY) to $75.6m, volumes +8% - Net loss: $54.4m - Margins: Gross profit was $3.7m with a gross profit margin of 4.9% - US retail revenues: -16% YoY to $37.1m - US foodservice revenues: -16.2% YoY to $12.3m - International retail: -12% YoY to $12.6m - International foodservice:  -28.7% YoY to $13.6m - Full year 2024 outlook: Net revenues $315-345m, with gross margins in the mid to high teens - Balance sheet: As of March 30, cash and cash equivalents balance of $173.5m and total outstanding debt at $1.1bn #foodtech #alternativeprotein #meatalternatives #altmeat #plantbased #plantbasedmeat AgFunder

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I'm looking forward to moderating a panel on June 17th at the Future Food-Tech Alt Protein Conference titled: "Boosting Investor Confidence: Adapting Innovative Financing Models to Overcome the Trough of Disillusionment" ___________________________________________________________________ I'll be joined by a great group of investors in the space, including: Shayna Harris of Supply Change Capital Ashley Hartman of Bluestein Ventures Nadav Berger of PeakBridge Rosie Wardle of Synthesis Capital We plan to hit on various topics: 🔵 Current fundraising environment for alt protein companies 🔵 How this varies by stage 🔵 What investors are looking for that help a company stand out 🔵 What needs to change in the space 🔵 Innovative financing approaches being taken beyond VC 🔵 and more Should be a great discussion, and I'm looking forward to hearing questions from the audience as well - from startups to corporates to other investors - hoping to get questions about what's really on everyone's minds If you'll be at the conference, let me know, as I'd love to connect! 💻 PS: If you were wondering what AI Image Generators create if you type in "Boosting Investor Confidence in Alternative Proteins" the pic below is one of the ones you get. Good? Bad? Odd? Not sure - but who knows what actually goes on within AI

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Fascinating insights from Scott Dicker and Joshua Schall in BevNET's latest issue: protein continues to dominate the beverage space, fueled by health-conscious consumers. Here are some key takeaways: ☘ Plant Protein Powerhouse: The protein beverage market is surging with consumers seeking health benefits. Plant-based protein is a key driver, offering muscle-building and weight-loss potential. 💉 GLP-1 and Protein Synergy: GLP-1 medications for weight management are gaining traction, further boosting demand for protein shakes. Plant protein positions itself well in this growing market. 🍊 What's next for plant protein beverages? I'm excited for the expansion of plant-protein fortification into fruit beverages (PURIS HiLo unlocks this!). Can't wait to see who launches first! #plantprotein #beverageindustry #glp1 #health #wellness https://lnkd.in/gxbjNxec

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How do nutrients from inefficiencies in our food system fight hunger in the US? And more importantly, does it work? Numbers do not lie and at the COASTAL BEND FOOD BANK on Tuesday 300+ citizens relying on their services for nourishment were polled: results 260 YES and 12 NO. This clearly demonstrates how Planetarians technology is a game-changing solution for delivering healthy, affordable proteins that are enjoyed by all. What do we do? PLANETARIANS transforms industrial sidestreams into tasty, nutritious and affordable meat alternatives. This democratizes access to proteins and doubles the GHG reduction. Why is it important? Preparing our technology as a food security solution for the growing population in 2050, we discovered that 42 million Americans rely on food banks for nutrients today! 42 million! Here in the US! Today! High prices for healthy nutrients, such as protein, are the main problem for foodbank donors and recipients. By unlocking nutrients from sidestreams, we made protein 90% cheaper and better than beef. Better than beef?- See yourself: - more protein than beef (24%) - fiber of an apple (6%) - Zero cholesterol. Is it tasty? - we have most of the traction in Texas! Why are we not everywhere yet? We already sell to K12 schools, Universities, and Senior houses directly and via distributors (Sysco, US Foods). And with your help, we may grow even faster. #health #protein #foodsecuirty #foodbanks #circular #climate

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Ozempic/ Wegovy “miracle diet drug” users - an emerging opportunity for FMCG? A recent YouGov survey shows that 60.3% of Americans are actively seeking weight loss solutions, propelling the popularity of the latest entrant - Semaglutide. Originally designed to treat type 2 diabetes, semaglutide is the drug in brands such Wegovy, Rybelsus, and Ozempic. When Ozempic started trending on TikTok in January 2023, only 35.1% of Americans had ever heard of the drug. But now after a year of media virality, celebrity associations (Elon Musk, Amy Schumer),  and skepticism about safety, more than half (57.9%) of Americans have now heard of semaglutide and (38%) would be willing to give it a shot if prescribed. J.P. Morgan predicts that total GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) users in the U.S. could reach 30 million by 2030, around 9% of the population. Research has it that these weight loss drugs may not only suppress appetites but also lower grocery spending on categories (snacks, soft drinks, high-carb products etc.). FMCG Leaders like Nestlé are combatting this change in eating preferences by announcing Vital Pursuit, a new line of frozen portioned meals targeted at Ozempic/ Wegovy users. GNC plans to add a dedicated section in its 2,300 US stores with vitamins, protein shakes, and supplements tailored to this audience. Denver-based Simply Good Foods seeks to revitalize its low-carb diet brand Atkins in the next 12 to 18 months to meet the rising demand of these drug users. The question arises: How is this audience currently spending on existing offerings of lean cuisines, meal kits, and healthy snacks/beverages? Are these not enough to suffice the needs of Ozempic/ Wegovy users, or is a more targeted product promotional push required? I would love to hear your thoughts and also learn how this audience is being currently marketed to by other brands in your market. #ozempic #dietdrugs #health https://lnkd.in/dt3JZ9Fz

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I enjoy listening to The Prof G Podcast and appreciated Scott Galloway’s views on alternative protein and the state of the category these days. The advice he gave startups in the space that resonated with me were: - People will eat more alternative proteins in the years to come - Be very mindful of all expenses and stay scrappy - Startups shouldn’t spend their limited resources on marketing. - When the markets come back (for funding) the surviving companies will be the winners given that the number of competitors will be lower It’s not an easy time as the industry resets, but the need for #betterfoodsystems is clear. Entrepreneurs are getting better, products are improving, and I continue to believe that there are better, healthier ways to feed a growing population that are less harmful to our planet and all living things. https://lnkd.in/gvBM8h-K Unovis Asset Management New Crop Capital #betterfoodsystems #sustainability #alternativeproteins #plant-based

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The global orange 🍊 juice industry is in crisis. The Florida industry has all but disappeared, and Brazilian groves are plagued by disease, rising costs, and unfavorable growing conditions, leaving global orange juice supplies at their lowest point in decades. Orange 🍊 juice prices 💰 are skyrocketing, consumer demand has been falling for years, and operators across the value chain are left wondering what’s next? Listen to the Liquid Assets team of Stephen Rannekleiv , Bourcard Nesin and Jim Watson talk with Rabobank’s citrus expert Andrés Padilla as he shares the takeaways from his latest report on the global orange 🍊 juice industry and its future, click on the link below to listen 🎶 🎧. While these events create significant supply challenges, they also create opportunities for brand owners and manufactures, to relook at their product portfolios with product innovation💡to reflect these new market realities. The beverages team at Kerry is here to help with market leading and innovative taste solutions, to help either best utilise orange 🍊 juice in a different way or enter new and adjacent product categories, please do get in touch to find out more. #orange #orangejuice #citrus #beverages #Kerry #Rabobank #liquidassets #Raboresearch #climatechange Erlon Pereira Farrah Gilsenan Marc LEJEUNE Breda Kelly John Savage Sean Ging Carol Dunne Sheelagh Pentony John Craven Mark Gallo Lars Jensen Paul Villis Gilles Halotel Mark Allen Ton Mesters Rabobank RaboResearch Francois Sonneville Sudip Sinha Nina Riggins Scott Glennon Leigh-Anne Vaughan Juan Gabriel Aguiriano Nalda

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Five years ago today, on May 2nd 2019, Beyond Meat began trading on the NASDAQ as a public company. At the time, it was the most successful IPO in more than 20 years, and its market value would soar to over $10 billion, becoming a rarified “decacorn.”   But recently, the alt-protein movement has faced setbacks and adversity, calling into question whether or not the plant-based “revolution” we were promised is indeed coming.     In my newest Third Nature Investments blog, I reflect on being an early investor in Beyond Meat, the environmental and human health benefits of alternative protein, the challenges to overcome, and where we go from here.   Read it here: https://lnkd.in/gFH4tM2i   #systemicinvesting #plantbased #climatechange #altprotein

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👓 Exciting insights from a recent report reveal significant growth opportunities in the plant-based protein market. Despite 54% of consumers being put off plant-based products by concerns over taste and 42% by texture, an impressive 91% of consumers report satisfaction after trying plant-based products. To expand this market further, improving taste and texture, enhancing product placement in stores, and implementing educational initiatives are crucial. For more details on growth in the plant-based space read the full report from Dig Insights and Upsiide: https://lnkd.in/eePGUSXU #plantbased #innovation #consumertrends #cibusnexum

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For those interested in making angel investments into plant-based foods companies that continue to grow sales very nicely quarter after quarter, here's a great crowdraise investment opportunity into Lever VC portfolio company Blackbird Foods: https://lnkd.in/ery9MMDy

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Despite the challenges of the last three years, there are commercial and economic opportunities presented by the plant-based sector as does the environmental, health and societal imperative to diversify our protein supply with more familiar and convenient alternatives. This report provides quite a detailed in-depth explanation of the plant based sector in Australia in both retail and foodservice. The Australian foodservice sector presents the most immediate opportunity for plant-based meat manufacturers to continue to grow in coming years. Wiith relatively small penetration of plant- based meat in just a few segments of the foodservice category, such as in QSRs and fast casual outlets, a large share of the foodservice market remains untapped for the plant-based meat industry with the potential to generate sustained and long-term growth across the next decade. Thanks to the team Food Frontier for this detailed analysis of the Australian market. https://lnkd.in/ggQ9r4Rb FoodFrontier-2023-State-of-the-Industry-report

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Becoming a #GrowthChampion is possible anytime along the economic cycle. Our latest research shows: “Growth champions” in Agriculture & Food Processing boast on average double their Total Returns to Shareholders compared to their peers and outperform them on both profitability and revenue growth. We identified what these players have in common, and what actions they take to anchor growth throughout the economic cycle. Here’s what we learned: • Double-down on organic growth and margin protection: Growth Champions consistently leverage data & analytics to identify opportunities and prioritize commercial efforts. • Unlock productivity potential: Winning players limit complexity and take measures to allow for focus on value-add activities. • Optimize and innovate product portfolio with customers in mind: Growth requires a solution mindset – which often leads to adjacencies beyond the core. • Drive strategic business builds and business model innovation: Growth Champions invest in new-business building and frequently re-think their business model. • Tap into new/redistributed value pools via M&A and strategic investments: Growth champions regularly evaluate M&A themes and explore partnerships across value chains. The best part? These insights can be applied across the industry! Reach out, and let’s talk growth together. https://lnkd.in/dts92DMP #GrowthChampions #Agriculture #McKinsey

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