Japanese plant-based company Next Meats enters Indian market

Tokyo-based Company Next Meats has teamed up with Indian food-tech startup Vegan Meat to launch meat-free alternatives with the motive to prioritize sustainability in food production and pare down the incremental burden on the environment using crossover technology. They are also attempting to reduce the acute problem posed by NCDs and carbon footprint in the country by introducing plant-based food items.

The company, which is listed in the American Stock market, aims to provide a series of delicious servings of Next Tandoori Chicken, Next Herb Chicken, Next Classic Chicken, Next Chicken Biryani, Next Butter Chicken Curry, Next Yakiniku Japanese Taste, Next Spicy Yakiniku and Next Burger Patty for their Indian consumers.

Next Meats, which is making its debut in the Indian market with Vegan Meat India is planning to expand its product assortment by introducing plant-based cakes, vegan cheese, tuna, egg, and soya milk especially for their consumers in India, will have their online retail presence in five cities including Delhi/NCR, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Mumbai.

 “As our modern lives have become more convenient, it has taken an inconvenient toll on our environment. Thinking things through from the perspective of our planet’s well-being led to our discovery of plant-based meats. Now we know we can’t shift our global eating culture of meat-based diets overnight. But if we focus on delivering the best tasting plant-based products, we believe it will lead us to a future where people will make a choice that is better for them and our planet. As India is the biggest consumer market in the world. Our products are high in protein, low in saturated fats with no added flavors and cholesterol. These items are just apt for people suffering from diabetes and blood pressure. We are excited to cater to our Indian consumers,” said Ryo Shirai, founder of Next Meats. 

To attest to this, several researchers claim that people, who follow a plant-based diet, tend to have a lower body mass index and lower rates of obesity, diabetes, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, inflammation, and cancer due to the higher antioxidant, probiotic, and fiber content.

“One of the most powerful steps one can take to improve health, boost energy levels, and prevent chronic diseases is moving to a plant-based diet. If you’ve read our ancient Vedas, it constantly talks about nutrition, which is a powerful way to live longer and help the environment and reduce our risk of getting sick. Therefore, a diet plays a crucial role in maintaining your overall wellbeing especially when we are fighting with the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Deepak Yadav, chief executive officer, Vegan Meat India.

These plant-based meats are meticulously produced using Non-GMO soy, pea proteins, and other plant extracts in factories that meet HACCP and ISO standards. In the future, they are also planning to open a lab and manufacturing unit in India and develop the products with Indian taste.

“Considering all the aspects from human health and environment, we would expect the trend of meatless meats would be more popular in India as well as in all over the world. Diverse plant-based meat types such as plant-based chicken and seafood continue to grow in popularity, which is contributing to the growth of the market,” Yadav added.

The brand is also planning to launch its brick-and-mortar store in India in the next fiscal.  

Next Meats was officially launched in June of 2020 after its journey of product development began three years ago. They have their presence in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Singapore. Besides India, the company plans to launch in Italy, France, Russia, Spain, China, and the USA.  

Next Meats, based in Tokyo, is a food-tech venture company that specializes in the research and development of Japanese-style alternative meat products. Its journey of product development began in 2017, and the company was officially established in June of 2020. It has been listed in the American stock exchange. The company is rapidly expanding its presence to over 9 countries. Their plant-based products Next Burgers, Next Gyudon, and Next Yakiniku series have been met with great reviews and support, and they are currently developing other products as well. They plan to research various types of alternative proteins in the future and aim to replace all animal meats by 2050.