GFI’s 2026 State of the Industry Reports Detail Mixed Year for Alternative Proteins Across All Three Sectors

The Good Food Institute's 2026 State of the Industry reports provide a detailed analysis of the plant-based, fermentation-derived, and cultivated meat sectors in 2025. While private investment declined across all three categories, there was continued technical and commercial progress with cost reductions, regulatory milestones, and cross-sector collaboration. Investors are now focusing on unit economics, profitability, and demand rather than just early-stage potential.

Regulatory progress was seen in the cultivated meat sector with seven companies receiving clearance to sell products globally. However, the US scaled back federal investment in cultivated meat while China committed significant funds to advance biomanufacturing infrastructure. The fermentation sector saw scaling progress with new facilities opening and engineering milestones achieved, but faced setbacks such as the EU banning certain terms for plant-based products. Global sales of plant-based products grew slightly, with consumer demand for protein-forward products shaping innovation and driving acquisitions.