‘We believe the plant-based chicken concept will take this increasingly popular meatless trend to a new level.’
KFC China’s trial of its plant-based chicken nuggets at selected locations was so hugely successful that the pre-sale coupons for the first day sold out within one hour of its launch in Shanghai and a total of 7,000 coupons were purchased in the shopping window from April 28 to April 30.
According to Yum China (which owns KFC along with Pizza Hut and Taco Bell in China), customers had to buy presale coupons for the vegan nuggets online via KFC’s mobile app before they could get a hand on the plant-based treats.
The quick service restaurant giant partnered with agribusiness Cargill to make the plant-based chicken nuggets, which include wheat, soy, and pea protein along with a small amount of locally sourced water chestnut to make the nuggets more succulent.
“We are committed to embracing innovation and continue to delight and surprise our customers with tasty products,” said Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China.
“The test of KFC’s Plant-Based Chicken Nuggets caters to the growing market in China for delicious alternative meat options on the go. We believe that testing the plant-based chicken concept with one of our most iconic products will take this increasingly popular meatless trend to a new level.”
Plant-based boom
Seeing the enthusiastic response, Cargill also announced its plans of expanding its range of meat substitute products, including burger patties and ground meat under its brand Plant Ever as “part of Cargill’s inclusive approach to the future of protein.”
According to Euromonitor, plant-based meat sales in China increased from $7.2 billion in 2014 to $9.7 billion in 2018 and the market is projected to be worth $11.9 billion by 2023..
Industry experts attribute the changing food landscape to several factors including steep rises in pork prices partly due to the sweeping African swine fever outbreak and the ongoing U.S.– China trade war as well as the novel coronavirus, which experts believe to have sparked from a wet market in Wuhan, China.
Cargill isn’t the only business looking to cater to China’s new found interest in plant-based foods, Nestlé is set to open its first plant-based plant worth $103.58 million in China with plans to launch plant-based meat products later this year.
“In recent years, the food sector has undergone a quiet revolution as people are choosing more and more healthy, nutritious, and environmentally friendly foods,” Nestlé said in a statement.
Share this news to support the growing trend of the plant-based market globally.
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
75% of Brits prefer vegan cars, says new study
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 17th May 2022
A number of companies already offer a variety of plant-based leathers using everything from apples and cactus to pineapple leaves. A new poll has revealed that a majority of UK motorists are keen on buying fully vegan cars. In a research commissioned by the Vegan Society, people were asked about their opinions on vegan cars …
Continue reading “75% of Brits prefer vegan cars, says new study”
Three critically endangered Sumatran tigers die caught in animal traps
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 25th April 2022
It is estimated that fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers remain in the wild. Three critically endangered Sumatran tigers have died after being caught in traps on Indonesia’s Sumatra island. This is the latest blow for a species whose numbers are estimated to have dropped to about several hundreds. Local authorities found two of the dead …
Continue reading “Three critically endangered Sumatran tigers die caught in animal traps”
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …
Continue reading “QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert”
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a …
Continue reading “QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?”
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …