The north Yorkshire-based manufacturer is forecasting £10m first year sales for its new Quorn Food Cupboard products after seeing demand for meat-free options soar especially among families and consumers looking for on-the-go alternatives.
Development of the new process for Quorn’s mycoprotein took three years and the flavoured grains, chickpea and lentil bowls and spicy stir fry strips (from £2 -£3) come with a nine-month shelf life, marking both expansion into a new category for the company and a departure from its established chilled and frozen ranges.
Earlier this month the business, which also makes the veggie-mainstay Cauldron brand and is part of Marlow Foods group owned since 2015 by Philippines-based conglomerate Monde Nissin, announced £123 million of new borrowing to refinance existing debt and fund future growth.
“More than half of all UK consumers are reducing their meat consumption, coupled with awareness about the environmental impact of their dietary choices,” said Quorn Foods marketing director Alex Glen.
“To meet highest ever levels of demand, meat free options need to be more readily available. Today’s meat free category is largely centred around planned shopping and evening meals at home, but today’s time-poor shoppers want easy food solutions whatever the occasion.”
The new range of eight products, from £2 to £3, will be backed by a £3m advertising campaign.
www.quorn.co.uk