Plant proteins from hemp

Manitoba Harvest, the world’s largest manufacturer of hemp food products, is going after a share of the rapidly growing market for plant-based proteins with the launch of Hemp Yeah! through major retailers across Canada this month.

With a global market already worth more than US$8 billion, demand for proteins developed from plant sources is expected to continue to surge. A recent report by the Canada West Foundation says the market is expected to reach US$14.8 billion by 2023 with a compound annual growth rate of nearly six per cent.

By 2054, plant -based protein is expected to be one-third of the global protein market. Human consumption is expected to double by 2023.

That’s good news for Prairie farmers, already among the world’s leading exporters of protein sources such as pulse crops and canola. It’s also a great opportunity for home-grown processors such as Manitoba Harvest crushing and processing seed purchased from producers.

Manitoba Harvest says Hemp Yeah! has several advantages over other plant-sourced proteins.

• It contains four to eight ingredients, depending on the flavour, including hemp and pea protein. The two combined produce a complete amino acid profile while offering a smooth taste and texture.

• It is Certified Organic, kosher, vegan, stevia- and dairy-free, and Non-GMO Project Verified.

• It offers 20 grams of protein per serving, 3.4 grams of Omega 3 and Omega 6 Fatty Acids and is a rare source of gamma linolenic acid.

Plant-based proteins offer the added advantage of containing fibre, which isn’t a component of animal proteins. “Hemp is an especially great source of plant-based protein as it has twice the amount of protein and omegas than chia or flax seed, but is lower in carbohydrates,” the company says in a statement.