Cell-based meat cultivated by Aleph Farms will be hitting Brazilian tables. The slaughter-free proponent has inked a new deal with global Brazilian meat and food company BRF to co-develop and produce cultivated meat using Aleph’s patented production platform BioFarm. 

The deal is significant as it sees a traditionally meat protein company like BRF – which is one of the largest producers of animal protein and key exporter of poultry – turn to the future of cellular agriculture in its business model. 

BRF will also distribute Aleph-backed cultivated beef products in the traditionally meat-heavy Brazil market.

Although, it’s unclear when cell-based meat products will be ready for commercialization, they are on the horizon.

“As one of the largest beef producers in the world, Brazil is a strategic market for us,” shares Didier Toubia, co-founder and CEO of Aleph Farms.

“This new partnership advances Aleph Farms’ strategy to integrate into the existing ecosystem as part of our go-to-market plans. Leveraging the expertise and infrastructure of leading food and meat companies will drive a faster scale-up of cultivated meat and eventually lead to a broader positive impact.”

This announcement comes at the heels of Aleph Farms’ introduction of the world’s first “thicker cut” slaughter-free ribeye steak, using three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology. The company also partnered with Mitsubishi to scale up its futuristic dish in Japan.

Entering a meat-heavy playing field
BRF is one of the largest meat producers in the world, with over 30 brands in its portfolio. It continues to attract significant alternative protein investments and is now experiencing diversification in line with the global “Plant-Forward” trend pegged by Innova Market Insights.

As part of its 2030 Vision strategy, the global meat heavyweight has invested over BRL 155 million in 2020 (US$28.81 million) in projects to reduce environmental impact.

Unveiled last December, the 2030 Vision initiative is expected to garner revenues in excess of BRL 100 billion by 2030 (US$18.5 billion).

“Since 2014, we have witnessed an increasing global demand for new sources of protein driven by several factors, namely environmental concerns, new diets and lifestyles, which has spurred the growth of new dietary genres including flexitarianism, vegetarianism and more,” says Lorival Luz, CEO of BRF.

This year, BRF reported revenue of approximately BRL 39 billion (US$7.25 billion).

Bolstering global food security
Beyond the commercial potential of cultivated meat in the Brazilian market, the alignment also enables both companies in their missions regarding sustainability and food security.

Brazil recently reaffirmed its commitment to the United Nations framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), pledging to reduce total net greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent in 2030.

In April 2020, Aleph Farms committed to eliminating emissions associated with its meat production by 2025 and reach net-zero emissions across its entire supply chain by 2030.

With livestock accounting for significant greenhouse gas emissions and demand for meat expected to continue growing, Aleph Farms’ partnerships with industry incumbents demonstrates how incorporating innovation into the local agricultural ecosystem can help companies and countries reach their climate goals.

“This is yet another step that strengthens the innovative journey of BRF to offer a choice of alternatives to consumers, optimize efficiency and at the same time reduce the strain on the production chain,” explains Sergio Pinto, director of innovation at BRF.

“We are a food company that invests in advanced technology and respects and combines new trends associated with social and environmental sustainability. By producing high-quality sustainable cultivated meat, we can further establish our role as agents of transformation in the food industry, by offering the latest innovations in the production of meat,” adds Pinto.

Since closing a US$12 million Series A round in 2019, Aleph Farms has received accolades for its contribution to the global sustainability movement from the World Economic Forum, UNESCO, Netexplo Forum and EIT Food.

Last year, the food-tech player launched the program “Aleph Zero,” with backing from notable industry giants including Cargill, Migros and the Strauss Group. The program supports potential deep-space exploration and feeding the future space-faring colonies on new planets.