Vegan World Series - The Phenomenal Global Growth of Plant-Based Food Alternatives, Part 2 of 2

The encouraging news is the vegan trend is also powerfully underway in the Asia Pacific. In a study conducted in 2020 by IPSOS, a global market research firm, the demand for plant-based meat in China and Thailand is predicted to increase by 200% over the next five years, and sales in the Asia Pacific will reach US $1.7 billion. In an effort to reduce the huge consumption of pork in China, a Hong Kong-based company called Omni Foods, aimed to provide a plant-based alternative, giving birth to OmniPork. Another pork alternative is from Phuture Food - a Malaysian-based food technology company founded in 2018. Heading to Japan, the Daiz company has developed a remarkable new product called “Miracle Meat” made from sprouted soybeans. Across the straits to Korea, one of the leading plant-based meat companies is Zikooin.

In March 2021, “Seaspiracy” was released on Netflix, and within weeks, became one of the top ten watched films. This revealing documentary clearly illustrates the environmental damage, unsustainability and immense cruelty of the fishing industry. The film has had a powerful effect on viewers, and many people, after watching “Seaspiracy,” said they would no longer eat fish. Fortunately, there are several alternative plant-based companies who offer healthier, more sustainable options.

Further great news is that this phenomenal growth and expansion of plant-based food alternatives had pushed the major meat companies to start investing in their own plant-based products. Other than meat alternatives, egg and dairy replacements are becoming widespread. With widespread lactose intolerance and a greater awareness about the immense cruelty of the dairy industry, the demand for vegan dairy alternatives is on the rise. We are also pleased to share that there are even vegan alternatives to honey, in which no bees are harmed.

Our beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai tirelessly reminds us that first and foremost, we should adopt a vegan lifestyle, then everything good will naturally develop from there.