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Simmons: industry shouldn’t be concerned about plant-based protein

Sales continue to grow for plant-based protein, but Elanco CEO Jeff Simmons says the agriculture industry should not be concerned.

“We will consume more meat and animal-based protein- meat, milk, and eggs- this year than anytime ever in the United States,” he says. “It’s up 20 pounds per person in the last five years.”

He says, if anything, plant-based alternatives increase the conversation around animal protein and its benefits.

“I think it increases the protein noise which I think will increase the size of the pie,” he says. “…There’s a tremendous amount of opportunity and I think it’s an opportunity to be more relevant to get into a more important conversation and then play a little defense.”

Simmons spoke at the Forbes Ag Tech summit.