BRF Invests $2.5 Million in Startup to Produce ‘Cultivated Meat’

BRF Invested in Israeli Startup Aleph Farms to Have Great Innovation and Technology to Meet New Consumer Habits

Yesterday, BRF announced that it is the only Brazilian food company participating in the second international investment round of Aleph Farms, an Israeli startup and one of the leading global players in cultivated meat, developed from non-genetically modified bovine cells. BRF made investments of US$ 2.5 million in this operation, joining other corporations and individuals, since the goal is to develop protein in the lab from animal cells. Check out: BRF will invest R$ 670 million in two factories in Mato Grosso, aiming to expand production capacity

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New Objectives of BRF in Investing in the Israeli Startup

With this move, BRF states that it is taking another step in its plan to meet the growing consumer demand for new and alternative sources of protein, bringing innovative technologies to Brazil. Unlike other partnerships and acquisitions, this is the first time the company has made a venture capital transaction.

Lorival Luz, Global CEO of BRF, states that “We understand our role in this transformation of the food industry, and that is why we are investing in Aleph Farms, a company that shares our goal of providing quality food, made with disruptive technology, to all people. Innovation is in BRF’s DNA, and we know how to reinvent ourselves to bring solutions to feed the future.”

BRF Growth Strategy

In a statement issued by BRF, the investments are also part of an important milestone for BRF towards the growth strategy presented in Vision 2030, a strategic plan that will lead the company to achieve revenue exceeding R$ 100 billion in the next decade, establishing itself as one of the leaders in the global food sector.

In March of this year, BRF had already announced a partnership with Aleph Farms when it became the first Brazilian company to advance its portfolio with products made from cultivated animal cells. The novelty arose with the development of biotechnology in food production, bringing benefits to the production chain and advantages for the environment, in addition to catering to diverse consumer profiles.

Marcel Sacco, Vice President of New Business at BRF, states that it is a rapidly expanding market, and they aim to lead this transformation in how proteins are consumed. According to him, they believe that this investment and the strategic partnership with Aleph Farms represent the future of the relationship with the food industry and help to empower startups that are at the forefront of the transformation.

Details About “Cultivated Meat”

All meat is composed of cells, even the smallest living beings in nature. The production of cultivated meat begins with the collection of high-quality cells from animals, but without slaughter. The cells are cultivated outside the animal’s body with the supply of nutrients and a suitable environment for their development. The automated process and sterile environment eliminate the need for antibiotics and significantly reduce the risk of pathogens or contaminants. This entire process takes a fraction of the time required to cultivate conventional meat with a fraction of the resources it demands.