Proteins \ Marché - N°65 from the crowd Across the Atlantic: USA and 55% in Canada). Environmental issues 23% of consumers ask for are relevant for less than two in ten consumers more plant-based proteins (14% in the USA and 21% in Canada). In the United States, sales of plant-based foods rose Although most North American consumes still by 14.7% (July 2016 - July 2017). In particular, prefer meat as their main source of proteins, sales of meat substitutes in the segments of plant-origin foods are gaining ground. A recent ready-made dishes (+6%), desserts (+38.3%) and market research conducted by Nielsen (2) shows yoghurt (+33.7%). Those based on tofu raised that 23% of consumers would like to see more by 2% and generated sales totalling $91million plant-origin proteins on the shelves. last year. In Canada, sales of plant-based protein In North America, 29% of Americans and 43% foods rose by 7% reaching over $1.5 billion at the of Canadians are actively trying to incorporate end of April 2017. The categories generating the more plant-based foods into their diet. The phe- highest revenues are soy-based cheeses (+27% nomenon goes far beyond vegetarians (6% of the in dollars), meat substitutes (+15%) and tofu North American population) and vegans (3% in (+12%). Despite the impact of infl ation on certain the United States and 2% in Canada). For several categories, volume sales show that consumers consumers, the choice is related to the search continue to purchase conventional plant-based for positive effects on health (38% in the USA proteins such as canned beans and cereals. and 46% in Canada), improved weight manage- Nevertheless, much work of informing the public ment (62% in the USA and 56% in Canada) and is still to be done. The survey identifi ed signifi cant the appetite for “clean label” foods (51% in the gaps in consumers’ knowledge of the protein 013 INSECT PROTEIN FACTORIES: the largest production capacity for insect protein SETTING UP AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO on the European market and has developed an innovative technology and process, guaranteeing THE VEGETABLE SOURCES its deployment on an industrial scale so as to produce high-quality protein at a competitive price. The French department of Somme is attracting As for Ynsect, it has chosen Poulainville insect farmers. Both InnovaFeed and Ynsect for the installation, in 2019, on an area of have decided to set up in this department 18 ha, of a vertical mealworm farm and an due to the high availability of the resource, automated unit dedicated to the production namely agricultural by-products, which of insect oil and meal to be used by fish are employed for feeding the larvae. farms but not only. Ynsect has developed 23 patents for products, processes and InnovaFeed, leading producer of proteins extracted applications such as protein hydrolysis, from Hermetia Illucens, will set up its next mechanical or enzymatic extraction. production facility in Nesle (to be commissioned As regards the possible markets, on 1 July 2017, the in the last quarter of 2019). By partnering up with European Union had issued a fi rst encouraging sign Tereos, which is located nearby, it will promote the by approving the use of insect meal in aquaculture local use of by-products from starch production, and animal feed. Ynsect and InnovaFeed are employing these latter as feed for insect farming following closely the potential opening to the market and thereby securing the vegetable supply to monogastric animals (pork and poultry). But necessary for the development of this activity. the sector still needs to gain in competitiveness - This partnership meets the growing needs of the improve its output, target by-products that cannot fi sh farming sector, which depends on fi sh meal be used in the food sector - and sustainability and soy fl our. Please note that InnovaFeed has if it aims reaching out to new markets. News on Functional & Health Ingredients \ N°65 \ Otctober - November - December 2018 \ ■