Plant-based eggs: views of industry practitioners and experts

Rondoni, A., Millan, E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2421-2855 and Asioli, D. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2274-8450 (2022) Plant-based eggs: views of industry practitioners and experts. Journal of International Food and Agribusiness Marketing, 34 (5). pp. 564-587. ISSN 0897-4438 doi: 10.1080/08974438.2021.1915222

Abstract/Summary

Plant-based eggs have been recently developed by food practitioners as an alternative to conventional eggs. However, there is uncertainty on how the current egg market will react to plant-based eggs, as well as lack of knowledge about product development and regulations. In this manuscript, we explored this issue by conducting in-depth interviews with egg industries and retailers, as well as with plant-based egg manufacturers. Results show that despite egg manufacturers are struggling to provide an alternative to people who do not consume eggs, they are sceptical that plant-based eggs can replicate all eggs’ nutrients and functionalities. Furthermore, egg industries do not see plant-based eggs as potential competitors to their products, while plant-based egg manufactures argue that they will directly compete with eggs. Also, there is uncertainty on how to label and name plant-based eggs, which has important implications in terms of marketing and policy labelling of these new products.