A survey by EATcoFriendly, a Hong Kong-based youth environmental group, found that an overwhelming majority (86%) of people in the region want to see more plant-based foods in public places; 79% of Hong Kongers want the government to set emission reduction targets and low-carbon food production strategies , while 70% felt that Hong Kong restaurants did not offer enough meat-free options.

EATcoFriendly notes that cities such as Paris and Seoul have set targets for 50 percent of food sold in public places, such as hospitals and government buildings, to be plant-based. The group is now calling on the Hong Kong government to do the same.

In addition, EATcoFriendly has proposed changes such as incorporating carbon emissions from imported food into a carbon-neutral policy and revising dietary guidelines. Experts support the latter, arguing that the current food pyramid fails to take sustainability and local culture into account.

High potential market
There has been a growing interest in plant-based foods in Hong Kong for some time. In 2020, 83% of citizens said they planned to reduce their meat consumption, while Deliveroo Hong Kong saw a 104% increase in plant-based food options.

Last year, research also found that 40 percent of people in China are actively reducing their meat consumption, while almost all of those surveyed (99.8 percent) would be willing to buy locally produced plant-based burgers.

“The Asian plant-based market has great potential: limited land space, food safety concerns, consumers’ more proactive attitudes towards health and growing focus on sustainable production will continue to pose challenges to the food industry, which in turn will This presents great challenges and opportunities for new proteins,” said Didier Chanove, Business Development Director, Plant Alternatives, Kerry APMEA.