What are alternative proteins and why are they important?

Alternative proteins refer to proteins derived from sources other than conventional animal agriculture, including plant-based foods (like Beyond Meat products), cellular agriculture (lab-grown meat), and fermentation-derived proteins. They're important because they typically require fewer resources to produce than conventional meat, have a smaller environmental footprint, and can help address growing global protein demands as the world population increases.

What is cellular agriculture?

Cellular agriculture is the production of animal products from cells grown in controlled environments rather than from whole animals. Companies like STKH are developing technologies to grow actual meat tissues from animal cells in laboratory conditions. This process requires significantly less land, water, and feed compared to traditional livestock farming, while potentially eliminating concerns about animal welfare.

How do fertilizer companies fit into the next-gen protein theme?

Fertilizer companies like NTR, MOS, and CF are essential to the future of protein because they provide the nutrients that maximize crop yields. For both traditional agriculture and plant-based protein production, these nutrients are crucial for growing the grains, legumes, and other plants used as feed for animals or as ingredients in plant-based alternatives. Efficient fertilizer use helps ensure food security and more sustainable agricultural practices.

What is Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)?

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) refers to technologies and methods that allow farmers to optimize growing conditions for plants indoors. Companies like VFF and UGRO specialize in this approach, which can include vertical farming, hydroponics, and other techniques that use less land and water than traditional farming while producing higher yields. CEA is valuable for growing ingredients used in plant-based proteins and can operate year-round regardless of outdoor conditions.

What factors might drive growth in this investment theme?

Growth in the next-gen protein sector is likely to be driven by several factors: increasing consumer demand for sustainable and ethical food options, technological advancements that make alternatives more affordable and similar to conventional proteins, supportive government regulations and subsidies, growing venture capital investment, and partnerships between startups and established food companies that expand distribution. Additionally, concerns about food security and environmental impacts of traditional agriculture create long-term tailwinds for this sector.

15 handpicked stocks

Next-Gen Proteins

Looking to invest in the future of food? This carefully selected group of stocks represents companies solving our global protein challenges. From plant-based alternatives to agricultural innovation, these stocks have been thoughtfully chosen by our analysts for their potential in this growing market.

Han Tan | Market Analyst

Published on June 17

Top Picks from This Group

Here are a few of the assets in this group. Create an account to unlock the full list.

Beyond Meat Inc

BYND

Current price

$2.47

A leading pioneer in the plant-based meat industry, offering a range of popular beef, pork, and poultry substitutes.

Oatly Group AB

OTLY

Current price

$15.32

A major player in the dairy-alternative space, specializing in the production and distribution of oat-based milk products.

Mosaic Company, The

MOS

Current price

$34.61

This company is a leading producer of concentrated phosphate and potash, two of the primary crop nutrients vital for modern agriculture.

Zoetis Inc.

ZTS

Current price

$146.95

Elanco Animal Health Inc

ELAN

Current price

$20.80

Darling Ingredients Inc.

DAR

Current price

$31.35

Join Nemo FREE today and unlock every stock.

It only takes 60 seconds.

12 Month Growth Potential

Use the growth calculator to see how much investing in these assets could return over one year, based on aggregated analyst sentiment provided by Refinitive Ltd.

If you invested across these assets:

≈

In 12 months it might be worth:

$1,000.00

+87.03%

≈

About This Group of Stocks

Our Expert Thinking

This collection focuses on the entire protein innovation ecosystem. We've identified companies addressing the sustainable food challenge from multiple angles - creating plant-based alternatives, developing lab-grown meat, and improving traditional agriculture with better fertilizers and animal health solutions.

What You Need to Know

This investment opportunity spans both established agricultural players and emerging food-tech innovators. The theme aims to capture value across the entire protein production chain, from agricultural inputs to finished food products, positioning investors to benefit from long-term shifts in how we produce protein.

Why These Stocks

These companies were selected based on their technological innovation, market position, and growth potential in addressing global food challenges. Our experts identified businesses poised to benefit from increased consumer demand for sustainable protein sources and the regulatory support accelerating this industry.

Group Performance Snapshot

86.76%

Average 12 Month Profit

On average, analysts expect assets in this group to grow 86.76% over the next year.

10 of 15

Stocks Rated Buy by Analysts

10 of 15 assets in this group are rated Buy by professional analysts.

47.2% vs 4%

Group Growth vs Bank interest

This group averaged a 47.2% return last month, beating the typical 4% bank rate.

Source: Analyst sentiment is provided by Refinitiv Ltd, a global leader in financial market data with over 40k business clients. Refinitiv Ltd is an independent third party to Nemo. This is not advice.

Why You'll Want to Watch These Stocks

🌱

The Protein Revolution Is Here

Consumer demand for sustainable proteins is skyrocketing, with plant-based alternatives and cellular agriculture gaining mainstream acceptance faster than most analysts predicted.

💰

Big Money Is Betting On Food Tech

Venture capital investment in alternative proteins hit record levels in recent years, with regulators increasingly supporting innovations that address food security and environmental concerns.

🔬

Breakthrough Technologies Emerging

From lab-grown meat to advanced agricultural systems, these companies are developing the technologies that could transform how we feed 10 billion people by 2050.

Get the full story on this Basket. Read our detailed article on its risks and potential.

Read Full Insight

Why Invest with Nemo Money?

🆓

Zero Commission

Trade stocks, ETFs, and more with zero commission. Keep more of your returns.

🔒

Trusted & Regulated

Part of Exinity Group 2015, serving over a million customers globally.

💰

6% Interest on Cash

Earn 6% AER on uninvested cash with daily interest payments.

Discover More Opportunities

Gold Miners (Record High Rally) Investment Guide

Gold prices have reached a record high as concerns over a U.S. government shutdown and potential interest rate cuts drive investors to seek safe-haven assets. This trend creates a potential investment opportunity in the companies that explore for and produce gold and other precious metals.

Government Shutdown Impact: Defensive Stocks Explained

A U.S. government shutdown has been triggered by a congressional budget impasse, creating economic uncertainty. This theme focuses on companies in defensive sectors that may prove resilient to the resulting market volatility and disruptions in federal spending.

Zillow Redfin Competitors | Market Disruption

The Federal Trade Commission is suing Zillow and Redfin, alleging their rental listing deal violates antitrust laws. This legal challenge could disrupt the online real estate market, creating opportunities for competing platforms to capture market share.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about the product and billing.