At The Table with Plantagusto’s David Winegar

Established in Finland, Plantagusto is a plant-protein research and development company with a specialty in producing full-cut plant-based meat. The company has been working to develop its technology for the authentic replication of animal proteins using only natural plant-based ingredients since 2019.  At FHA – Food and Beverage this year, attendees had the chance to taste Plantagusto’s premium plant-based ribs and rendang curry.

We talked to David Winegar, CEO of Plantagusto to hear more about his experience at FHA this year, what’s different about their products, their focus for the next 6 months and new products that attendees can expect from Plantagusto at FHA 2024.

David Winegar, CEO of Plantagusto, speaking at FHA – Food and Beverage 2023

Q: How was your experience at FHA – Food and Beverage 2023?

Our experience at FHA 2023 was very positive and rewarding. We had the opportunity to showcase our innovative plant-based meat products to a large and diverse audience of food and beverage professionals from around the world. We received a lot of interest and feedback from potential customers, partners, and investors who were impressed by the quality, taste, and variety of our products. We also enjoyed learning from other exhibitors and speakers who shared their insights and trends on the plant-based industry. We are very grateful to the organizers and sponsors of FHA 2023 for creating such a wonderful platform for us to connect and collaborate with the global food and beverage community.

Q: How have you adjusted your products for different regional markets?

Plantagusto is committed to creating plant-based meat products that cater to the preferences and needs of different regional markets. We understand that each market has its own unique culture, cuisine, and consumer behavior, and we want to offer products that can fit into their existing food habits and expectations.

That is why we use our Flexible Plant Protein Platform (FP³) to customize our products according to the specific tastes, textures, formats, and nutritional values of each market. For example, we can create plant-based deli meat for the European market, plant-based bacon for the North American market, plant-based steak for the South American market, and meats for Asia that can easily be marinated to take on local flavors and spices. We also work closely with local partners who have the expertise and knowledge of the regional markets to help us produce, market, and distribute our products effectively.

Q: How do Plantagusto’s products differ from other plant-based meat in the market?

Plantagusto’s products differ from other plant-based meat in the market in several ways.

First, we use only clean-label ingredients to create our products, without any artificial additives, preservatives, chemical binders, or GMOs.

Second, we use a proprietary technology called the Flexible Plant Protein Platform (FP³) to replicate the authentic texture, flavour, and appearance of animal meat using plant proteins. Our technology allows us to create a wide range of plant-based meat products that authentically replicate full-cuts of meat including deli meat, Italian salami, bacon, steak, ribs, roasts, and more.

Third, we produce products that have excellent nutritional value, with high protein content, low fat content, no cholesterol, and rich in fiber and vitamins.

Fourth, we offer products that are affordable and accessible to consumers who want to enjoy plant-based food without sacrificing quality or taste.

Plantagusto plant-based ribs and salami

Q: Can you share with you the challenges faced in growing your brand in the plant-based industry? How did your team handle these challenges? 

Some of the challenges faced in growing the brand are:

• Raising awareness and educating consumers about the benefits and advantages of plant-based meat over animal meat.
• Competing with other established and emerging players in the plant-based industry who have a bigger presence in Asia.
• Scaling up production and distribution to meet the growing demand and expectations of customers and partners.
• Maintaining product quality and consistency across different markets and regions.
• Innovating and developing new products that can satisfy local preferences and the changing needs of consumers.

Some of the ways we handled these challenges include:

• Participating in trade shows, events, media campaigns, social media platforms, and other channels to promote our brand and products to a wider audience.
• Differentiating our products from others by highlighting our unique technology, ingredients, variety, nutrition, taste and showcasing our commitment to full cuts of meat.
• Collaborating with reliable and reputable partners who can help us produce, market, and distribute our products efficiently and effectively.
• Implementing strict quality control measures and standards to ensure our products meet or exceed customer expectations.
• Conducting continuous research and development to improve our existing products and create new ones that can appeal to new segments and markets.

An attendee trying Plantagusto’s premium plant-based ribs at FHA – Food and Beverage 2023.

What is your brand looking to focus on in the next 6 months?

Building our brand, increasing our business-to-business sales, and growing our presence in new markets are the three primary objectives that our company plans to focus on during the next six months.

To strengthen our brand, one of our primary goals is to increase our visibility among the most successful food brands and industry stakeholders in the plant-based space. Plantagusto is the only company of its kind in the plant-based industry, and it provides food companies with a comprehensive solution for innovating with the growing wave of plant-based alternatives.

Our mission is not to market our own brand; rather, it is to enable other food manufacturers and brands to mass-produce alternatives to the foods that are currently on the market. We do this by providing food manufacturers with a comprehensive solution that can get them up and running in less than two weeks producing high-quality plant-based alternatives to meat products.  We offer the technology, as well as consultation, and we supply the ingredients for the manufacturing process.

We are deeply committed to providing a wider audience with plant-based options that are superior and adaptable, and we believe that partnering with well-established food brands is the most effective way to accomplish this goal.

In order to enter new markets, we want to investigate new avenues of business and broaden our presence in various regions of the world where there is a growing demand for products made from plant-based alternatives to meat. We are looking at locations where there is an undeniable demand for food that is not only risk-free and nutritious but also supports a way of life that prioritizes long-term viability and high-level quality of life.  We have reason to believe that Asia will play a leading role in the next food revolution, which will be centered on providing better food for everyone.

Q: What new products can we expect from Plantagusto at FHA 2024?

Plantagusto is on the brink of a significant breakthrough with many innovative products soon to grace the market. As we speak, we’re establishing robust distribution channels in Asia, a region that presents a remarkable opportunity for growth and consumer engagement in the plant-based sector.

Our upcoming product line, set to debut this fall, will focus on the ‘ready-to-eat’ and ‘ready-to-heat’ segment. This isn’t just another product range; it’s a transformative collection that will redefine perceptions of plant-based cuisine. We firmly believe that these offerings will challenge and reshape the prevailing notions about plant-based food, delivering both convenience and health without sacrificing taste.