News in brief:
– Vegan Food Group has secured exclusive rights to produce and distribute Eat Just’s mung bean-based JUST Egg across Europe.
– Backed by a £11.25 million investment, the partnership will expand plant-based egg production starting in late 2025.
The Vegan Food Group (VFG) has announced a major partnership with United States food tech pioneer Eat Just, Inc. Under the new agreement, VFG will have exclusive rights to manufacture and distribute Eat Just’s mung bean-based egg products across Europe.
A mung bean-based egg is a plant-based egg alternative made primarily from mung beans, a type of legume commonly grown in Asia. When processed, mung beans can mimic the texture, appearance, and protein content of chicken eggs, making them a popular base for vegan egg products.
Eat Just makes JUST Egg, which is known for its versatility and nutritional benefits. It has sold over 500 million egg equivalents since launching in the US in 2019, a report reveals. This deal marks a significant step in expanding its reach to the European market.
To support the venture, VFG is investing £5 million in a fully automated production line at its Lüneburg facility, one of the continent’s largest plant-based manufacturing sites. It will inject an additional £6.25 million to enhance automation and innovation at its UK and German sites.
“This partnership with Eat Just is a major milestone in our mission to revolutionise plant-based food in Europe,” said VFG Group CEO Dave Sparrow. “With our state-of-the-art facilities, we’re ready to meet growing demand and lead the future of sustainable food.”
“European consumers are looking for innovative, eco-friendly alternatives. Collaborating with VFG allows us to deliver that with scale and impact,” Eat Just CEO Josh Tetrick said, echoing the enthusiasm.
Commercial production of the plant-based egg range is set to begin in the second half of 2025, with product launch details to follow. The partnership aims to offer a high-quality, sustainable egg alternative to both retailers and food service sectors across Europe.
