China’s Plant-Based Pork Faces Funding and Quality Bottlenecks, Study Finds

A study published in the journal Agriculture found that the main obstacles to developing a plant-based pork supply chain in China are related to research funding and quality control, rather than consumer demand. Insufficient research and development funding, deficiencies in quality control, and high infrastructure investment were identified as the primary drivers hindering the growth of plant-based pork in the country. The study, which surveyed experts from academia, industry, government, and regulatory practice, suggests that early investment in foundational structural capabilities, operational coordination, and market-facing measures is essential for building a successful plant-based pork supply chain in China.

With China being the largest pork market in the world, companies looking to enter the plant-based pork sector should focus on addressing the structural, operational, and market-level conditions outlined in the study. The research highlights the importance of tackling barriers in a sequenced approach, starting with foundational capabilities before moving on to operational coordination and market-facing measures. The study emphasizes that addressing production and distribution weaknesses is crucial for the long-term success of plant-based pork in China, shifting the focus from consumer-facing tactics to building a strong supply chain.