Cargill invests in Aleph Farms

(Posted on 20/05/19)

The demand for protein is expected to grow 70% over the next 30 years as the global population increases significantly. With an eye to complementing its focus on animal protein, Cargill has announced it will invest in Aleph Farms, a cultured meat company focused on growing complex meat varieties like steak.

Cargill is participating in a Series A investment round led by VisVires New Protein and joined by several other investors looking to move Aleph Farms’ product from prototype to the commercial marketplace. Aleph Farms grows meat directly from beef cells using a 3D tissue engineering platform. In December 2018, it achieved a world-first by demonstrating it could grow a steak directly from bovine cells.

“Cargill is committed to innovation and we are delighted to be a part of Aleph’s accelerated growth,” said Sonya Roberts, managing director of growth ventures and strategic pricing for Cargill Protein North America. “This partnership connects new frontiers in cell-based technology with insights in the global food system and supply chains to meet future customer and consumer needs.”

While cultured proteins represent a relatively small portion of Cargill’s portfolio, the company sees value in investments in innovators like Aleph Farms.

“Consumer demand for protein continues to be very strong. That means there’s an opportunity for plant and cultured protein growth to complement our traditional animal protein portfolio,” said Roberts.

Aleph Farms plans to begin building bio-farms and move toward a limited consumer product launch with steak grown under controlled conditions within three-to-five years. https://www.aleph-farms.com/#RD.

The investment in Aleph Farms builds on Cargill’s other partnerships in alternative protein. In 2017, Cargill was an early investor in Memphis Meats, a company leading the way in development of cultured meat. Cargill also is an investor in plant-based protein through Puris, a firm that has launched a new pea-based protein that is non-GMO, organic and allergen-friendly. These investments complement the company’s investment in its traditional animal protein portfolio, which has totaled more than $1.5 billion over the several years.

“We all need to work together to address the increasing global need for protein in the coming years, especially as more consumers move into the middle-class and the demand for protein increases. We have a responsibility to look at all innovations that can help us feed the world,” said Jon Nash, president, Cargill Protein-North America.

The company’s commitment to investing in animal protein remains unwavering.

“We believe in the power of protein and the critical role animal protein will continue to play in nourishing the world for the long-term,’ said Nash.

Latest News

GSC launches mining advisory division, strengthening global investment capabilities

GSC (Global Strategic Commodities) has announced the launch of its dedicated mining advisory division... Read more

SSAB issues first green bonds amounting to SEK2,800m

SSAB AB has successfully issued its inaugural green bonds under its EUR 2 billion EMTN programme, dated... Read more

Anglo American publishes shareholder circular for merger with Teck

On 9 September 2025, Anglo American plc and Teck Resources Limited announced that they had reached an... Read more

Bunge closes agreement to acquire NWT grain elevator assets

Bunge has successfully closed its purchase agreement for the grain elevator assets of North West Terminal... Read more

NGFA applauds Senate committee for advancing Grain Standards Act reauthorisation

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) in the USA has applauded the Senate Agriculture Committee... Read more

Rio Tinto announces board changes.

As Rio Tinto previously reported, the size of its Board peaked at 14 Directors during a transitional... Read more

ADM advances quality capabilities with new central milling laboratory

ADM , a global leader in human and animal nutrition, has celebrated the opening of its new Central Milling... Read more

Bunge announces reporting segment changes and recast outlook

Bunge Global SA has announced that it has changed its segment and volume reporting to align with the... Read more

Open Trade Coalition calls for bold and open EU trade policy

As the European Parliament prepares for the confirmation hearings of the new Commissioners, the Open... Read more

Rio Tinto Q3 results show strong production across the portfolio

Multinational mining company, Rio Tinto, has releases its third quarter 2025 production results showing... Read more