The Tug of War: Cultivated Proteins vs. Traditional Animal Products
May 30, 2025, 10:00 pm
Location: United States, District of Columbia, Washington
Employees: 10001+
Founded date: 1944
Total raised: $530M
The food landscape is shifting. A recent study from The James Hutton Institute and Norway’s Ruralis Institute has cast a spotlight on the competition between traditional animal products and cultivated alternatives. The findings are a wake-up call for the livestock industry. They reveal which products are most vulnerable to disruption. The results are clear: beef, lamb, milk, and eggs are on shaky ground. Chicken and pork, however, stand firm.
Imagine a storm brewing on the horizon. The winds of change are blowing, driven by environmental concerns and technological advancements. The introduction of cultivated proteins is like a new player entering a long-established game. It challenges the status quo. A carbon tax could be the lightning bolt that accelerates this shift.
The study modeled two scenarios: one with a carbon tax and one without. The implications are stark. If the tax is implemented, the cost of animal products will rise. Consumers will feel the pinch. They will seek alternatives. Cultivated proteins, once a niche market, could become mainstream. The research suggests that consumers are willing to treat cultivated and conventional proteins as interchangeable. Price will be the deciding factor.
In many countries, the livestock sector receives support payments. This safety net makes it difficult for cultivated alternatives to compete on price. But the tide is turning. Cultivated products are becoming more viable. Advances in technology are driving down costs. Cell culture media is cheaper. Bioreactors are more efficient. The barriers are crumbling.
The study warns that sheep and cattle farming could face the brunt of this disruption. The implications extend beyond economics. Rural livelihoods are at stake. The traditional farming landscape could be reshaped. Planning is essential. Stakeholders must prepare for the potential fallout.
The findings echo a broader trend. The world is grappling with climate change. The food system is under scrutiny. The push for lower-emission foods is gaining momentum. Organizations like the World Bank advocate for a shift in subsidies. The goal is to redirect support from animal agriculture to more sustainable options.
As the storm gathers strength, the oil and gas industry is also feeling the pressure. The North Sea windfall tax has become a contentious issue. Enquest’s CEO has voiced strong opposition. He claims the tax is causing “irreversible damage” to the industry. Job losses are mounting. The UK Energy Profits Levy, introduced in May 2022, targets the extra profits of oil and gas companies. It was a response to soaring energy prices following geopolitical turmoil.
The tax rate has increased from 25% to 35%. It’s set to remain until March 2030, unless prices plummet. The burden is heavy. Companies like Harbour Energy are feeling the strain. They’ve cut jobs in response to the “punitive fiscal position.” The CEO of Enquest argues that the UK is unique in imposing such a tax on homegrown energy producers. The situation is precarious.
Commodity prices are forecasted to decline. The World Bank predicts a 12% drop in 2025, followed by another 5% in 2026. This could mark the end of the price boom that followed the COVID-19 pandemic. The oil and gas sector is bracing for impact. Enquest plans to pay nearly $100 million in windfall tax in June 2025. Most of its tax payments will be front-loaded. This will affect cash flow in the latter half of the year.
The industry is at a crossroads. Investment plans are being reevaluated. Companies are adopting a “disciplined approach.” The focus is on cost reductions. The landscape is shifting beneath their feet. The competition is fierce.
Both the food and energy sectors are facing a reckoning. The rise of cultivated proteins challenges traditional animal agriculture. The windfall tax on oil and gas firms threatens investment and jobs. The stakes are high. The future is uncertain.
In this tug of war, the players must adapt. The winds of change are relentless. Those who fail to pivot may find themselves left behind. The call for sustainability is louder than ever. The question remains: will traditional industries embrace the change, or will they resist until it’s too late?
As the storm approaches, the need for strategic planning becomes paramount. Stakeholders in both sectors must navigate these turbulent waters. The path forward will require innovation, flexibility, and a willingness to embrace new paradigms. The future of food and energy hangs in the balance. The time to act is now.
Imagine a storm brewing on the horizon. The winds of change are blowing, driven by environmental concerns and technological advancements. The introduction of cultivated proteins is like a new player entering a long-established game. It challenges the status quo. A carbon tax could be the lightning bolt that accelerates this shift.
The study modeled two scenarios: one with a carbon tax and one without. The implications are stark. If the tax is implemented, the cost of animal products will rise. Consumers will feel the pinch. They will seek alternatives. Cultivated proteins, once a niche market, could become mainstream. The research suggests that consumers are willing to treat cultivated and conventional proteins as interchangeable. Price will be the deciding factor.
In many countries, the livestock sector receives support payments. This safety net makes it difficult for cultivated alternatives to compete on price. But the tide is turning. Cultivated products are becoming more viable. Advances in technology are driving down costs. Cell culture media is cheaper. Bioreactors are more efficient. The barriers are crumbling.
The study warns that sheep and cattle farming could face the brunt of this disruption. The implications extend beyond economics. Rural livelihoods are at stake. The traditional farming landscape could be reshaped. Planning is essential. Stakeholders must prepare for the potential fallout.
The findings echo a broader trend. The world is grappling with climate change. The food system is under scrutiny. The push for lower-emission foods is gaining momentum. Organizations like the World Bank advocate for a shift in subsidies. The goal is to redirect support from animal agriculture to more sustainable options.
As the storm gathers strength, the oil and gas industry is also feeling the pressure. The North Sea windfall tax has become a contentious issue. Enquest’s CEO has voiced strong opposition. He claims the tax is causing “irreversible damage” to the industry. Job losses are mounting. The UK Energy Profits Levy, introduced in May 2022, targets the extra profits of oil and gas companies. It was a response to soaring energy prices following geopolitical turmoil.
The tax rate has increased from 25% to 35%. It’s set to remain until March 2030, unless prices plummet. The burden is heavy. Companies like Harbour Energy are feeling the strain. They’ve cut jobs in response to the “punitive fiscal position.” The CEO of Enquest argues that the UK is unique in imposing such a tax on homegrown energy producers. The situation is precarious.
Commodity prices are forecasted to decline. The World Bank predicts a 12% drop in 2025, followed by another 5% in 2026. This could mark the end of the price boom that followed the COVID-19 pandemic. The oil and gas sector is bracing for impact. Enquest plans to pay nearly $100 million in windfall tax in June 2025. Most of its tax payments will be front-loaded. This will affect cash flow in the latter half of the year.
The industry is at a crossroads. Investment plans are being reevaluated. Companies are adopting a “disciplined approach.” The focus is on cost reductions. The landscape is shifting beneath their feet. The competition is fierce.
Both the food and energy sectors are facing a reckoning. The rise of cultivated proteins challenges traditional animal agriculture. The windfall tax on oil and gas firms threatens investment and jobs. The stakes are high. The future is uncertain.
In this tug of war, the players must adapt. The winds of change are relentless. Those who fail to pivot may find themselves left behind. The call for sustainability is louder than ever. The question remains: will traditional industries embrace the change, or will they resist until it’s too late?
As the storm approaches, the need for strategic planning becomes paramount. Stakeholders in both sectors must navigate these turbulent waters. The path forward will require innovation, flexibility, and a willingness to embrace new paradigms. The future of food and energy hangs in the balance. The time to act is now.