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Cale & Daughters, the parent company of Made With Plants, PlantAsia, and Get Plant’d, has announced plans to open a new manufacturing facility in Brisbane as part of a joint venture with Vgarden – one of Israel’s largest agricultural co-operatives.
The partnership has established Vgarden Australia, which will operate in the south-western suburb of Darra and manufacture vegan mozzarella, cheddar and parmesan, along with vegan deli meats such as pepperoni and chicken.
Cale & Daughters will also use the site to manufacture their own in-house products, including dairy-free thickened cream and sour cream. Full-scale production is expected by the end of 2023 and the site will employ over 50 staff.
Cale & Daughters co-founder Cale Drouin said the partnership would minimise international supply chain disruptions and provide greater control over internal and external variables.
“The joint venture between Cale & Daughters and Vgarden will bring together the innovative capabilities of our two companies, by enabling the rapid exchange of resources and IP,” Drouin said.
“Ultimately, local manufacturing means we’ll be able to maintain price competitiveness and product accessibility, while being positioned to rapidly respond to the needs of our market Down Under.
“We’ll also be able to offer Australian customers quality plant-based products that have a smaller carbon footprint, which is very exciting.”
Founded in 2019, Sydney-based Cale & Daughters teamed up with Vgarden only a year after inception to supply Woolworths (ASX: WOW) stores nationally with vegan mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan.
The company notes the latest joint venture will offer greater capacity to cater to the food service industry – including restaurants, caterers, hospitals, educational institutions, and other organisations looking to tap into Australia’s growing demand for plant-based food.
Data collected by Vegan Australia shows the number of vegan products listed on Woolworths' website has increased from 550 in 2019 to roughly 1,800 this year.
Research conducted by the supermarket giant in 2021 found 88 per cent of Woolworths shoppers who purchased plant-based proteins also bought meat rather than dedicated vegetarians and vegans.
“Aussie tastes are changing. Whether it’s due to specific dietary requirements or a change in lifestyle preferences, there are more people choosing to eat plant-based foods than ever before. This creates compelling opportunities for the right businesses,” said Drouin.
Globally, the market for plant-based alternatives is valued at $9.9 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 41 per cent until 2030. The global market for plant-based cheese alternatives sits at $2.4 billion, with a project CAGR of 13 per cent until 2030.
Vgarden CEO Ilan Adut said it’s extremely rewarding to see the collaboration come to fruition.
“We are extremely proud of the partnership we have forged with Cale & Daughters, as we share the same values and vision for the future,” Adut said.
“We believe it will have a real impact on Australia’s high-growth vegan market.”
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