Food & Climate
Israel’s meat consumption is among the highest per capita globally, so, it needs to switch to protein alternatives or face food insecurity by 2050, according to a new study.
A new report by the Samuel Neaman Institute for National Policy Research suggests that by 2050, between 60% and 80% of the country’s protein supply must come from alternatives like plant-based, cell-cultivated or fermentation-derived products. This would boost local production, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthen long-term food security.
“In general, Israel is a net importer – meaning it imports most of its food and feed,” Prof Eyal Shimoni, the report’s lead author, said, according to a report seen by “Food & Climate” platform.
“Therefore, to increase food security, we need to produce much more locally, which is challenging due to our geography (many arid lands, climate change, etc.). Replacing animal-derived protein with plant/alternative sources will significantly reduce the reliance on animal feed imports.”
The second in poultry consumption
The research notes that there are immediate risks to the supply of foods like nuts, legumes, cereals, seeds, and fish in Israel. And by 2050, population growth estimates suggest that the demand for food will increase by up to 89%.
“Israel’s meat consumption is among the highest per capita globally, ranking second in poultry consumption and fifth in beef,” says Shiri Heffer, sustainability and food security senior manager at the Good Food Institute (GFI) Israel, an alternative protein think tank that supported the report.
The government’s current dietary guidelines, presented in the form of a “nutritional rainbow”, emphasise a Mediterranean diet rich in plant proteins, with a lower amount of red meat (up to 300g a week). The recommendations are based on the level of processing, rather than the ingredients themselves.
But since animal proteins are highly resource-intensive, and with numerous studies proving the health benefits of a plant-rich diet, the “dietary guidelines should advise the public” to move even further towards alternative proteins, says Shimoni.
Previous research
Previous research by the Samuel Neaman Institute shows that as things stand, animal protein will account for 52% of protein intake in Israel by 2050. But this report outlines that the appropriate target “is a reliance of no more than 40%” of meat and dairy.
It also looks at scenarios that would limit animal protein intake to 30% or even 20%. Between the three options, Israel’s meat consumption would need to be slashed by 23-61%. Shimoni explains that the three ratios don’t differ in their principles. “We proposed that they provide perspectives on different depths of change. The level of uncertainty is extremely high,” he says.
Israel is already home to several alternative protein firms, including cultivated meat players Aleph Farms and SuperMeat, precision fermentation players Remilk and Imagindairy, and plant-based pioneer Redefine Meat. In 2023, the country attracted 10% of all VC funding in the sector, which could create 10,000 more jobs and contribute $2.5B to the national economy by 2030.
“Consumer interest in alternative proteins is strong,” says Heffer. “Currently, Israelis consume approximately 9% of their protein from plant-based sources like tofu and meat alternatives. About 5% of the population identifies as vegan, while there’s a growing segment of flexitarians, particularly in certain demographic groups with higher awareness about meat reduction.”
A majority of Gen Z and millennial consumers say they’re willing to pay more for plant-based meat and dairy. “As these generations come into their buying power, meeting their needs will be a critical part of any CPG, retail, or foodservice strategy. Product development and enhancement opportunities remain, including to improve taste and lower prices in the still-developing plant-based meat category,” she says.
The report recommends allocating at least $2B for manufacturing infrastructure for animal-free proteins, and $100-200M every year for pilot production and public-private partnerships, according to “Green Queen“.