Foodservice Australia kicked off this week at the ICC Sydney, where it is running from 19 to 21 May and showcasing a variety of plant-based offerings.
This year’s show is featuring over 350 exhibitors and special events including the Chef of the Year, National Restaurant Conference, Aged Care Catering Summit, Café School and Sweet Spot Theatre.
Among the plant-based brands exhibiting on the showfloor this year are:
- Love Buds
- ProForm Foods
- MILKLAB
- Purabon
- Flora Professional
- King International
- Epicurean Food Group
- Made by Kade
- Sweet William Chocolate
Prominent local brand The Aussie Plant-based Co. said on its LinkedIn that it is showcasing its products daily at the Cafe School stage as well as at the Chef of the Year arena, where competing chefs are all using the company’s Love Buds products in their rounds.
Founder & CEO of market research firm Alternative Proteins Global (APG), Nicholas Dahl, observed that there were roughly 50% less plant-based meat and dairy companies exhibiting compared to the previous show. However, he emphasised that there were still many delicious products showcased by Australian companies, such as Love Buds’ plant-based chicken tenders and burgers, ProForm Foods’ plant-based butter chicken and meatballs, and falafel burgers by Made by Kade.
Dahl also noted that there are several international delegations attending this year’s show — the largest of which were from Vietnam and Malaysia — with many companies exhibiting ingredients and manufacturing for plant-based meat and dairy companies.
“Overall, it was a fantastic opportunity to meet with stakeholders across the plant-based food ecosystem including companies, manufacturers, ingredient providers and distributors,” Dahl said.
Food Frontier’s recently published 2023 State of the Industry report showed a major surge in plant-based meat sales in Australia’s foodservice sector of 59% CAGR since 2020, indicating strong potential for plant-based meat manufacturers in the segment.
Those wanting to visit the show can learn more here.
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