Meat production currently increases by about 2-6% per year globally, while plant-based meat alternatives are growing 9-12% per year, though still much smaller in absolute terms for now. If meat alternatives keep dropping in price as production scales and supply chains mature, it might soon have an advantage, especially in emerging markets.

Store brand meat alternatives have already reached the price of their “real” meat counterparts here in Germany in 2025. Some are even a bit cheaper. It will be interesting to see the medium to long term impact of this on the meat market.

That gets difficult when billion dollar industries are involved, especially multiple. Some politicians will oppose the corruption, but the corporations will just fund the campaign of other politicians that are willing to act in their interest.

Transparency and a vigilant civil society with consequences for scandals can mitigate that somewhat, to varying degrees. But ultimately there’s corruption in every government at every level of governance. Capital interests always find a way, unfortunately.

They’re using the money they got from their customers to lobby politicians to keep doing business as usual. They have so much power because people vote with their dollar, for them, and not for sustainable alternatives.

Blaming politicians while continuing to fund these industries won’t lead to anything.