Believer Meats and AGWA Join Forces to Revolutionize Cultivated Meat in the MENA Region

Biotech company Believer Meats has partnered with Abu Dhabi's AGWA (AgriFood Growth & Water Abundance) to enhance its cultivated meat capabilities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Believer Meats plans to set up a regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi to support commercial operations, product manufacturing, and research and development (R&D). This initiative will create new job opportunities in the region and support AGWA's objectives of improving food security and addressing water scarcity.

The partnership will help Believer Meats achieve its goal of creating a global platform, demonstrating that its model can be scaled and replicated in new markets. Additionally, the two organizations will explore the establishment of a Believer Meats Innovation Academy to develop talent in sustainable food technologies through collaborations with Abu Dhabi universities and research centers.

AGWA will also assist Believer Meats in establishing a regulatory pathway for cultivated meat in Abu Dhabi.

© BELIEVER Meats

Believer Meats is currently building what is claimed to be the world's largest cultivated meat production facility in Wilson, North Carolina. The facility will produce at least 10,000 metric tonnes of cultivated meat per year when fully operational and will feature a state-of-the-art innovation center and tasting kitchen.

Last year, Believer Meats announced groundbreaking findings that enable the production of non-tumorigenic cell lines for cultivated chicken without genetic engineering. The company stated that this process could be 17 times more efficient than industry standards. A few months later, Believer Meats signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with agribusiness leader ADM to collaborate on advancing the development and commercialization of cultivated meat products.

Gustavo Burger, CEO of Believer Meats, stated that partnering with AGWA is a significant step forward in their mission to create a global powerhouse of cultivated meat solutions and bring products to new strategic markets. This collaboration will enable them to expand operations and aligns with their vision of creating a sustainable and resilient global food system. By leveraging AGWA's innovative framework and support, they are confident in addressing food security challenges and bringing their safe, healthy, and delicious cultivated meat products to the MENA region and beyond.