The APAC Society for Cellular Agriculture (APAC-SCA) has conducted a market study examining consumer perceptions and acceptance of cellular agriculture products across four Tier 1 cities in China — Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.
Only 9.7% of respondents were aware of cultivated meat and seafood, but 76.7% said they would be willing to sample these products at least once, mostly due to the appeal of trying new things. However, many consumers expressed concerns about the naturalness, safety, and health impacts of cultivated meat. They placed great importance on government laws, regulations, and safety standards, which are set to heavily influence consumer perceptions of cultivated products in China.
APAC-SCA has previously compiled similar research in South Korea and Japan, and all three reports are now available to purchase. Sales proceeds will go directly to the organization, which is a non-profit, to support cellular agriculture research, educational initiatives, and industry development efforts across the Asia-Pacific region.
“Asia-Pacific is at the forefront of food innovation. Our latest study underscores the most important factors in driving consumer awareness across China and highlights the opportunities for companies to build trust, communicate benefits, and scale responsibly,” said Peter Yu, Program Director of APAC-SCA. “These findings will be invaluable for businesses and policymakers shaping the future of sustainable protein in the region.”
Investment forum and events
APAC-SCA has also recently launched the Cell Ag Investment Forum, a new platform designed to connect investors with cellular agriculture startups. It is free to join and provides access to a range of features, including:
- Early access to curated startup presentations and potential investment deals;
- A centralized platform to curate the next level of investment opportunities in the cell ag space, including tailored features, connectivity, corporate portfolio management, and other curated services;
- Direct engagement with founders, researchers, and industry leaders.
The forum is open to all interested investors, corporates, cell ag companies, and innovators.
Additionally, APAC-SCA is preparing to host the Cell Ag Conference in Penang, Malaysia, in conjunction with Cell AgriTech, on September 9. Registration for the event is now open, with early bird rates and exhibition or booth space available. The organization will also be present in the Cell Ag Pavilion at Singapore International Agri-Food Week from November 4-6.
