December 23, 2020

Unilever expands Burger King partnership to supply plant-based Whoppers in China, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Unilever said it has expanded its partnership with global fast-food chain Burger King to supply plant-based meat patties for Burger King's signature Whopper burgers at its China, Latin America, and the Caribbean outlets, Reuters reported.

The Whoppers that use plant-based meat are called the "Plant-based Whopper", made using patties produced by Vegetarian Butcher, which was acquired by Unilever last year.

The plant-based Whopper, using Unilever's meat, will be sold in 325 Burger King restaurants in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou in China, and later sold throughout China by the second quarter of next year.

This variation of the Whopper has launched in Mexico on November 30, made using soy, wheat, vegetable oil, herbs, and onion.

Unilever said the plant-based Whopper has been launched steadily in Costa Rica, Colombia, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Suriname, Saint Maarten and Saint Kitts over the past few weeks.

The burger is priced similarly to its real beef counterpart, but prices can differ between franchises.

The deal underscores Unilever's efforts in the booming plant-based food market, which has grown during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysts from Barclays project the alternative meat industry will grow into a US$140 billion market over the next 10 years.

There are several meat-free variations to Burger King's Whopper burger sold elsewhere, such as one using Impossible Meats products in the United States.

- Reuters