Nestlé to launch plant-based seafood alternatives in China this year

Nestlé, the world’s largest food company, is planning to introduce plant-based seafood alternatives in China by the end of 2021.

Speaking at the Youth Culinary Competition, hosted annually by Nestle in Changsha, China, Nestle China Vice President Ge Wen said the firm is accelerating the roll-out of its Vruna and Vrimp products – which are plant-based alternatives to shrimp and tuna, respectively.

Ge, who heads the professional catering side of the company’s business, said China is Nestlé’s second-largest market and the company hopes to tap into potential demand for plant-based seafood analogs in the world’s top seafood-consuming nation.

“Our plant-based products are developing and improving,” Ge said. “We hope to adjust them further to the tastes of the Chinese consumer.”

Another major player in the alt-seafood market is Hong Kong-based Green Monday Group, whose OmniSeafood products include OmniTuna and OmniSalmon, some of which are also manufactured in China.

Photo courtesy of Nestlé