China has emerged as a dominant player in the global cultivated meat sector, with recent analysis revealing that it leads the world in patent applications for the technology. According to the Good Food Institute Asia Pacific (GFI APAC), China accounts for eight of the top 20 all-time patent applicants in the cultivated meat field, surpassing Israel, South Korea, and the United States.
The patents cover a wide range of innovations in animal cell cultivation for food, including advancements in cell line development, cell culture media, and cell scaffolding, all of which are vital for creating lab-grown meat products. China’s government is backing this growth through its five-year agricultural plan, which prioritises research into alternative proteins. President Xi Jinping’s bio-economy strategy includes promoting plant-based and microbial protein sources, alongside cultivated meat, as part of the country’s broader food diversification goals.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) has set its sights on the safety and nutritional aspects of alternative proteins, making them a key area of focus. The government’s actions include an $11 million investment in China’s first alternative protein innovation centre and a new policy for advancing green economies in Beijing. China is also collaborating with international counterparts to streamline regulatory processes for cultivated meat, which could accelerate its global market entry. These developments position China to significantly influence the future of food production worldwide.