GREENEST exports India’s first plant-based meat shipment to USA

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has announced that GREENEST, India’s pioneering plant protein food brand has shipped India’s first plant-based meat export consignment to the USA from Gujarat in India. The 5,000 Kg consignment consists of GREENEST products (Plant-based Mini Samosas, Hot and Spicy Strips, Momos, Spring Rolls, Nuggets, Grilled patty, and other Vegan products).

India's GREENEST is a pioneer in plant-based protein products and is backed by investors like Better Bite Ventures (a New Zealand based dedicated Alt Protein VC fund), Magnetic, and Sachid Madan (the former Chief Executive of ITC’s frozen snacks business).

“We at APEDA are delighted to facilitate the export of GREENEST’s plant-based vegan products made in India to global markets. This is just a beginning, and we hope that India with its rich vegetarian heritage will become a hub for the growing global demand for plant-based Vegan products,” said Dr M Angamuthu, IAS, chairman, APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority).

Harpreet Singh, regional head, APEDA Gujarat said, “APEDA provides assistance to exporters under various components of its schemes such as Infrastructure, quality, and market development. In addition, APEDA also conducts international Buyer Seller Meets (BSM), Virtual trade fairs with importing countries to promote export of agricultural & processed food products. Plant-based vegan food is a burgeoning category with a strong international potential and we see it as one of the key contributors to our packed foods export portfolio from Gujarat.”

Gaurav Sharma, founder and chief executive officer, GREENEST said, “We are honoured to flag off India’s first export of plant-based meat to the US in collaboration with Wholesome Foods and express our wholehearted gratitude to APEDA for its support. We have been receiving a large interest from foreign markets for high quality and healthy plant-based foods and GREENEST is happy to take the lead in this endeavour from India. We are confident that on the back of our strong product quality and unique value proposition, these volumes will grow significantly in the months to come. We hope that this opens new opportunities for our friends in India’s plant-based industry.”

“The team at Wholesome Foods is delighted to partner with GREENEST to open up international markets for their unique array of products. We believe Indian plant-based foods are primed to be a popular category in the global markets and are witnessing a high number of enquiries for ethnic and value added plant-based meals both from food service operators and retailers. The consignment to US is the first of many more to follow and we are confident that with APEDA’s continuous involvement and support, we will see many more flag offs happening in the times to come,” said Jeet Hirpara, Managing Partner of Wholesome Foods.

GREENEST is known for its authentic, Indianized and well-priced range of plant-based alternatives and is the first in the country to have executed an array of B2B partnerships with leading food service players like Burgrill, Wat a Burger, Chocolate Room, Biggies Burger, Freshmenu, Eatfit et al. GREENEST’s restaurant partnerships currently covers around 200 stores with plans for rapid expansion. Last year, the startup made waves when it launched the country’s first plant-based meat burger, The Green Meat Pounder in collaboration with Burgrill across multiple cities.

Varun Deshpande, managing director at expert nonprofit the Good Food Institute India, said, "GFI India and Deloitte India analysis indicates that with the right support, the Indian smart protein sector is poised to capture a sizable share of a multi-billion dollar global market by 2030, leading to major job creation and export income opportunities. Plant-based meat brands like Greenest are at the forefront of this smart protein transformation, and this milestone is an exciting indication that we are on the right track. Armed with the proactive support from partners like APEDA in promoting plant-based exports from India, the country is well positioned to become a key piece of the global supply chain for this sunrise industry. GFI India is supporting APEDA in formulating and promoting policy pathways for the export of plant-based foods, while also working with the stakeholders within the sector to ensure that products being exported are competitive with the products available in other markets. GREENEST’s achievement is an excellent example of how that partnership translates on the ground. We are deeply excited for GREENEST, and confident that this is the first of many other International collaborations that will come their way."

According to GFI India and Deloitte India analysis on “Smart Protein Market Size & Export Potential in India by 2030", the Indian plant-based market has the potential to reach US$2.2 Billion by the year 2030, with an export potential of up to US$1.1 Billion, in a high growth scenario. India is a leading producer of crops rich in protein and is well positioned to service both the national and international plant-based foods sector.