Nestlé forays into Chinese plant-based meat market

Swiss food company Nestlé has launched its plant-based meat brand Harvest Gourmet in China to revive weakening sales.

Launched in Australia last year, the brand will be sold by Chinese foodservice outlets and retailers.

Available products include burgers, sausages, nuggets and mince.

Nestlé will also sell plant-based alternatives to kung pao chicken, braised meatballs, and pork belly.

Nestlé Greater China Region CEO Rashid Qureshi said: “Nestlé wants to make plant-based food part of everyone’s everyday life, which is why we’re excited to offer our delicious and nutritious products in China.

“We see China leading the trend towards a new generation of plant-based food in Asia, as people look for options that are good for them and good for the planet.”

Apart from Australia, the company has established a strong plant-based presence with its Garden Gourmet brand in Europe, as well as its Sweet Earth brand in the US.

In addition to launching its Harvest Gourmet, the company has also inaugurated its first plant-based production line in Tianjin, China.

The facility is already in full operation and will primarily manufacture a wide variety of plant-based products under the Harvest Gourmet brand, the company said.

Qureshi added: “The launch of Harvest Gourmet’s products not only introduced more high-quality and healthy food choices but, together with the full operation of Nestlé’s new Tianjin production facility, demonstrated Nestlé’s long-term commitment to the China market and to propelling China to the very forefront of plant-based development.”

Last month, Nestlé agreed to divest its Yinlu peanut milk and canned rice porridge businesses in China to Food Wise Co for an undisclosed sum.