I agree: it definitely seems unlikely that plant-based alternatives could substitute for something like live shrimp salad. But note that the majority (~19 trillion) of shrimp killed are A. japonicus (akiami paste shrimp). Relative to other products, paste texture is less complex and the animal origin perhaps less culturally salient; I bet many consumers would substitute shrimp paste for plant-based paste.
(I work w/ Daniela and Elisa but wasn’t involved in this report)
Are there folks working on plant based shrimp paste alternatives, and/or other ways of working on reducing demand for shrimp paste?
This seems like potentially a very neglected area of intervention for animal motivated entrepreneurs (i.e. a gap I wouldn’t expect the market to organically fill):
My guess is the consumers are generally less wealthy than the average plant-based alternative consumer in Western countries
Doesn’t feel as much of a ‘fancy’ ingredient vs beef or other expensive meats
Shrimp are less sympathetic animals :(
I’d be really excited for folks to work on this! I’m not sure if you think there are a few people on the ball already, or if basically no one is owning this right now?
I agree: this seems like a potentially high-impact entrepreneurial opportunity and, although I’m not absolutely certain that nobody owns this project right now, I’m confident it’s under-explored/under-actioned.
I agree: it definitely seems unlikely that plant-based alternatives could substitute for something like live shrimp salad. But note that the majority (~19 trillion) of shrimp killed are A. japonicus (akiami paste shrimp). Relative to other products, paste texture is less complex and the animal origin perhaps less culturally salient; I bet many consumers would substitute shrimp paste for plant-based paste.
(I work w/ Daniela and Elisa but wasn’t involved in this report)
Are there folks working on plant based shrimp paste alternatives, and/or other ways of working on reducing demand for shrimp paste?
This seems like potentially a very neglected area of intervention for animal motivated entrepreneurs (i.e. a gap I wouldn’t expect the market to organically fill):
My guess is the consumers are generally less wealthy than the average plant-based alternative consumer in Western countries
Doesn’t feel as much of a ‘fancy’ ingredient vs beef or other expensive meats
Shrimp are less sympathetic animals :(
I’d be really excited for folks to work on this! I’m not sure if you think there are a few people on the ball already, or if basically no one is owning this right now?
Hi Angelina!
I agree: this seems like a potentially high-impact entrepreneurial opportunity and, although I’m not absolutely certain that nobody owns this project right now, I’m confident it’s under-explored/under-actioned.
Actually Shiok Meats is working on cultivated meat for shrimp. They’re a promising startup.
I feel much better hearing this! And I do actually agree with you. Thank you!
I would add that besides PB paste. Another option is to use CM shrimp tissues to make the pastes.