The climate impact and land use of cultivated meat: Evaluating agricultural feedstock production

employed a case study approach to compute land use and carbon opportunity costs for CM production in southern Germany, using on-site generated feed, local yields and nutrient contents. 2.3. Economic viability and impacts on the meat industry and farming communities The economic viability of cultured meat (CM) is critical for its scalability and market adoption. Advances in large-scale CM production are closely tied to developments in the biomedical field, particularly in tissue engineering. Key innovations include the development of special- ized cell lines, plant-based cell media, advanced scaffolding materials, and efficient bioreactors. These innovations are foundational to the growth and competitiveness of the CM sector, and their ongoing development is essential for reducing production costs and improving product quality [71, 72]. Projected production costs vary significantly depending on the process, rang- ing from estimates of $5.50/kg [40] to $25/kg [37]. However, numerous assumptions make these values approximate and subject to considerable uncertainty. These scenarios require much of the necessary infrastructure that does not yet exist. Furthermore, the successful inte- gration of CM into the global value chain requires not only technological advancements but also strong business structuring, market positioning capabilities, and robust relationships with stakeholders. Addressing these multifaceted challenges and opportunities is crucial for the widespread adoption of CM, particularly in emerging countries where supportive policies and

infrastructure can play a pivotal role in fostering industry growth [73]. Historically, the meat industry and farming communities have been central to the global food system, impacting cultural, economic, and societal frameworks. Their contribution tran- scends direct agricultural activities, providing economic stability to many communities [19]. The emergence of CM could redefine these traditional roles, potentially diminishing the cen- trality of conventional livestock farming as technological advancements in CM become more pronounced [32, 71]. However, the integration of CM into existing agricultural frameworks might offer new opportunities. For instance, CM production could become decentralized, with potential for implementation at the farm level, thereby including traditional farmers in the emerging CM industry [73]. Also new and higher-skilled jobs are expected to be created [74]. The economic landscape may shift as CM becomes more established. Traditional meat pro- ducers may face challenges in maintaining revenue [74], whereas CM offers new economic avenues, particularly for those willing to diversify into this new area [75]. For example, farmers could utilize their expertise to contribute to the CM supply chain, such as in the production of cell media, demonstrating the adaptability and resilience of farming communities [45, 74]. Despite these opportunities, there are barriers to the widespread adoption of CM. Many farming communities, steeped in generational traditions, may view CM with skepticism or

resistance, questioning its authenticity and the impact on traditional farming practices. These observations could also be made for veterinarians and animal scientists in Brazil [74]. Integra- tion with CM could require significant investments in new equipment, knowledge, and infra- structure tailored to this innovative industry [30, 76]. While private funds have been used most recently, scientists and other interest groups are calling for additional public funding [49]. Morais-da-Silva et al. (2022) [74] in turn saw from interviews of alternative protein experts more positive reflections and opportunities outlined by the experts. The experts saw the poten- tial to create new, higher-skilled jobs, particularly in technical and management fields. How- ever, the transition may disproportionately affect animal farmers, especially in a rapid change PLOS ONE Evaluating agricultural feedstock for cultivated meat PLOS ONE | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0316480 January 22, 2025 6 / 27