Public funding for alternative protein R&D reaches record levels in Europe as Widening countries join the push
Czech cultivated pork burger. Photo credits: Mewery / Good Food Institute
Public and nonprofit funding for alternative proteins rose for the fifth consecutive year in 2024, and central and eastern European countries are playing an increasing role, according to a new report from specialist think tank the Good Food Institute.
Countries in the region have invested over €17 million in alternative protein research and innovation, which includes plant-based products, fermentation techniques and meat cultivated from animal cells.
The trend is largely driven by Poland, where the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR) was the seventh largest public investor in cultivated meat in Europe last year, but Croatia, Czechia, Estonia and Serbia have also made funds available.
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