Finnish vegetable proteins

Problem

Food production takes up a considerable proportion of the planet’s land area and water resources. On a kilogram to kilogram basis, animal protein requires significantly more land compared with vegetable proteins. The meat production chain also consumes other resources such as fertilisers and energy.

Meat consumption rates are high in Western countries. High meat consumption is unhealthy and bad for the environment. In developing economies such as China, economic development has led to people favouring animal protein over vegetable protein. One consequence of this is the high price of soya bean animal feed.

Solution: Finnish vegetable proteins

Verso Food Oy manufactures Härkis® and Beanit, animal protein substitutes, from whole broad beans. Broad beans have been grown in Finland since the 13th century. The root nodules of broad beans produce nitrogen, which means that the use of nitrogen fertilisers can be reduced.

Revenue logic and benefits to Verso Food

Verso Food gets its revenue from the sale of Härkis® and Beanit products. The products are produced from dried broad beans at Verso Food’s own factory in Kauhava. The retailer finalizes and packs the end products which also makes it possible to export the products efficiently and sustainable abroad.

Benefits to customers and end users

Bean-based products are an easy climate decision for consumers to make in their everyday life. In addition, retail chains have for a long time been interested in increasing the sales of vegetable-based products, and Härkis® and Beanit have proven to be a good seller. For consumers, substituting vegetable protein for meat offers health benefits. Härkis® and Beanit are versatile products, easy to use and highly affordable compared to animal protein.