Report: Alternative Proteins Could Significantly Impact Farming in New Zealand

A report published as part of the Protein Futures NZ project has found that alternative proteins could have a significant impact on farming in New Zealand. The report outlines four scenarios, with the most optimistic scenario being one where all barriers to the success of alternative proteins are removed, leading to improved taste and texture, price parity, increased production scale, and positive environmental outcomes.

Each scenario would have a different impact on land use in New Zealand, with changes ranging from little to no change in scenario 1 to significant reductions in dairy, sheep, and beef areas in scenarios 3 and 4. Employment and total economic output would be boosted in the arable and forestry sectors, while emissions, nutrient loss, and phosphate loss would be significantly reduced. However, the report also warns that the increased ability for countries to produce their own alternative proteins could decrease the demand for New Zealand exports, affecting countries that rely on food imports from New Zealand.