Experts said that while lab-grown chocolates may be an option, they might not be able replace the real deal or solve supply-chain challenges.
The cocoa production has dropped dramatically in recent years, raising fears that chocolates may soon be out of stock.
Recent talk has centered on the possibility of chocolates grown in labs or chocolates made with fava beans and sunflower seeds to fill the gap.
Chocolate demand is on the rise
The US chocolate sector is currently experiencing a purple phase.
According to the National Confectioners Association, sales in this industry will surpass $25 billion by 2023.
Entrepreneurs have been able to meet this growing demand by creating lab-grown chocolates, and new substitutes based on oats or carob.
Companies are rushing to find alternatives due to the recent loss of production in West Africa, and the falling supply of cacao.
The majority of chocolates produced around the world are made in West Africa. However, the US and Europe continue to be the largest consumers.
In a report published by Food Navigator Asia, Felicia Kristanti, Innova Market Insights’ Customer Success Manager for APAC was quoted saying: “Lab-grown chocolate is a solution to some of the challenges we face, given that it would be deforestation-free. And, as 25% of Asians have expressed a favorable perception of cell-based products.”
Chocolates made from Swiss cellulose
Cocoa prices will soar in 2024 as the market experiences increased volatility.
Since the beginning of this year, the price of US cocoa has risen by more than 170%.
This increase has been greater than Bitcoin’s 130% gain in this year.
Cocoa prices started to rise early in the year due to concerns about tight global supply caused by drought and disease among West African producers.
Food Brewer, a Swiss start-up, has been developing and testing lab-grown cocoa.
Christian Schaub, CEO of Food Brewer, told SWI swissinfo.ch a Swiss-based international news agency that “many producers” have contacted them recently.
This technology is attractive to them because it does not depend on weather conditions or pests, factors that could compromise the quality and quantity of crops.
According to the SWI Report, Food Brewer began testing in 2022.
Max Felchlin AG is one of Switzerland’s largest chocolate manufacturers and a major partner of Food Brewer.
SWI reports that Food Brewer will bring cell-based Chocolate to the market by 2026.
Food Brewer also wants to submit its application to the US Food and Drug Administration before the beginning of next year, according to the report.
By 2035, the company also hopes to produce 10,000 tons of cocoa per year.
In the SWI report, Schaub said that locally produced zero-kilometre cocoa would be able to satisfy 20% of a chocolate maker like Ferrero.
Our cocoa powder is no longer a niche product but will become a vital component in the food industry.
Obstacles
The initiatives are facing challenges due to approvals and solutions that will last a long time.
Experts say that the approval process for novel foods could take years.
The approval process of novel foods is lengthy in both the US and Europe.
Some worry that the global food industry may be dominated by a small number of large corporations, which could lead to new forms of food insecurity and inequality.
There is also some skepticism about whether these new technologies can provide long-term solution to fundamental problems.
Tobias Garritt, Junglegold Bali’s Founder and CEO was quoted by the Food Navigator as saying: “Lab-grown is an amazing solution. It might solve the issue of market in terms of the end products-but it won’t address the fundamental problems facing farmers or deforestation.” Junglegold was the first plant-based factory in the world.
He said that real lovers of chocolate may prefer the authentic taste and flavour, not the lab-grown versions.
According to Renee Tay ofi’s regional marketing manager for APAC, food ingredients supplier ofi, chocolate lovers expect that the product will taste the same as real chocolate.
She told Food Navigator that:
The cocoa alternatives will cater to a certain segment, but not the chocolate connoisseur.
This post Can lab-grown chocolate match real chocolate? This post may be updated as new information becomes available
