Cultivated protein, also known as cell-based protein or lab-grown protein, is a revolutionary approach to producing meat and other animal-derived proteins without the need for traditional animal agriculture.
This innovative technology offers numerous potential benefits compared to conventional livestock farming. Cultivated protein has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of meat production by requiring less land, water, and energy while emitting fewer greenhouse gases. It also addresses concerns related to animal welfare, as it eliminates the need to raise and slaughter animals for food. Furthermore, cultivated protein has the potential to provide a more consistent and controlled food supply, reducing the risks associated with foodborne illnesses.
In 2022, a substantial investment of USD 896 million was directed toward the production of cultivation protein. This adds to a cumulative sum of approximately USD 2.8 billion invested from 2016 to 2022.