Our Approach

Leading pan-Asia food private equity fund manager with deep relationships throughout the sector.

Track record of supporting entrepreneurs and management teams with more than capital, leveraging our unique skillset as experts across the entire food value chain, ranging from production to processing and distribution.

By 2030

  • Nearly half of the incremental 1 billion global population increase between 2020-2030 will be in Asia.1
  • 65% of the global middle class will reside in Asia.2
  • Food is often the largest component of private consumption spend in most Asian markets3

Annual spend on food in Asia is expected to double from $4 trillion (2020) to $8 trillion.4

In 2019, Asia’s urban population overtook its rural population for the first time. More than one quarter of Asia’s population is comprised of millennials, consumers who are independent, socially minded, shrewd and digitally savvy.5

Growing middle class leads to increasing preference for the premiumization of food. Asian consumers demand safe, high-quality food products with attributes that meet their desire for health, nutrition, social impact and sustainability, and are willing to pay for it. Consumers have never been more educated, savvy and demanding in their food purchases.

We believe that investing in the Asian food industry offers a compelling return opportunity.

Sources:
United Nations, World Population Prospects (2019).
Brookings, “The unprecedented expansion of the global middle class” (Feb 2017).
OECD (2020), other than China data which is based on estimates by Bloomberg (2019). Estimated based on CPI mix.​
PWC/Rabobank/Temasek, The Asia Food Challenge (2019).​
United Nations ESCAP, “The future of Asian & Pacific cities” (2019).

INVESTMENT THEMES

Emphasis on investment prospects positioned in fast-growing categories where supply chains, distribution channels and consumer preferences are undergoing dynamic change.

  • Products and positionings that are responsive to emerging consumer preferences, ethics, social awareness, and personal impact.

  • Alternative proteins, plant-based products—foods whose production is friendly to the environment and which use sustainable agricultural technology practices (e.g., controlled environment production).

  • Food safety and nutrition is often taken for granted in developed economies but is not always widely practiced or readily available in many parts of Asia. Part of the challenge is to increase protein availability across Asia, utilizing best in class technology and operating best practices to produce food efficiently while ensuring high standards of food safety and quality.

  • Packaged, ready-to-eat, foodservice, online availability.

  • Pan-Asia

WORK WITH US

Proterra looks to partner with highly capable entrepreneurs and management teams. We spend considerable effort in sharing and implementing best-in-class management practices, accelerating technology transfer and implementing high standards for environment, social and governance (ESG) impact.