Marfrig Global Foods has signed an agreement with Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) to produce and sell vegetable protein-based products in Brazil.
As per the terms of the agreement, Marfrig and ADM will jointly develop plant-based products.
ADM will be responsible for supplying the primary raw material required for plant-based products, while Marfrig will be responsible for the production and distribution of the products to the foodservice and retail channels.
ADM Nutrition Latin America CEO Roberto Ciciliano said: “We offer an advanced R&D structure, natural ingredients and technological solutions, including the advantage of local manufacturing, to anticipate industry trends and meet our clients’ needs with customised service.
“We are the ideal partner to support and foster the sustainable development of the food, specialities and healthy nutrition industry. And our agreement with Marfrig further strengthens that proposition.”
Marfrig’s manufacturing unit in Várzea Grande, Mato Grosso will be used for the production of the plant-based burgers, and ADM will be part of plant-based raw materials directly from its plant in Campo Grande to Marfrig’s site.
The first plant-based burgers will be reaching the Brazilian market by the end of this year, with exports following later.
Initially, products will be supplied to foodservice clients and sold to retail channels at a later stage. Marfrig also plans to launch a specific brand for its plant-based products.
Marfrig Global Foods CEO Eduardo Miron said: “Together, Marfrig and ADM will produce 100% vegetable protein-based burgers with the same taste and texture of beef. We want to give consumers the power of choice. They are the ones who decide.
“The plant-based burgers will complement Marfrig’s product portfolio and be distributed through all our market channels.”
