Report: How Australia Could Become a Leader in Plant Protein Ingredients

A new report by Food Frontier highlights the potential for Australia to become a leader in plant protein ingredient manufacturing. Despite strong crop production and existing global influence in wheat protein ingredients, Australia primarily exports raw commodities, missing out on high-value ingredient manufacturing. There is a need for a national strategy to capitalize on shifting dietary patterns and consumer demand for plant-based products, with soy, wheat, and pea driving the industry and emerging diversification in faba bean, lupin, and hemp ingredients.

Australia produces around 59 million tonnes of protein-rich cereals, pulses, and oilseeds annually and has high growth potential for pulses like faba bean, lentil, and chickpea. However, to shift away from bulk exports and create greater domestic economic return, manufacturers face structural barriers like awareness-building, scaling up for cost competitiveness, securing investment, and regulatory hurdles for hemp producers. The report outlines five priorities for national action including establishing a national taskforce, investing in R&D platforms, driving demand, scaling manufacturing, and building workforce and regional supply chains to transform protein-rich crops into high-value ingredients and secure a strong position in the global market.