Meat-free firms in sales boom thanks to horsemeat scandal

Damien Threadgold, European commercial director at Amy’s Kitchen, backed up claims made last week by Asda chief executive Andy Clarke who reported soaring sales of vegetarian ready-meals and meat substitutes.

Amy’s Kitchen, which has its UK base in Corby, produces about 40 vegetarian and vegan ready meals and other meat-free products.

In this exclusive podcast for FoodManufacture.co.uk,​ Threadgold discusses if the sales boom is sustainable in the long term and the opportunities the horsemeat outcry has offered firms like his.

He also answers the question: what is driving growth in the meat-free and vegetarian sector, amid an increase in its value of almost 8% in the past year?

Increase sales​

Threadgold outlines how he hopes to increase sales, even though the number of people who classify themselves as vegetarian has remained static over the past decade.

Finally, listen to the podcast to find out what Threadgold believes are the three key factors that meat-free firms need to focus on to tap into the burgeoning growth potential in the sector.

Don't miss the Big Interview feature with Threadgold in the May edition of our sister publication Food Manufacture​​.