Why is fake meat more expensive than real meat?

Answer 1

It is easier to grow plants than raise livestock, and less costly per pound of food produced. There are also higher processing costs per pound of meat. However, meat is easier to digest so it takes more pounds of veggies for the same energy. To get the real picture, you would need to calculate the difference in the cost per unit of energy in meat and a specific fruit or vegetable.

Another thing to consider is that cattle and hogs may convert plants that humans can't really eat, like grasses and leaves, into meat which we can eat.

Answer 2

FALSE: Because, fake meat has to be processed, more money has to be spent on manufacturing the fake meat than the real meat.

TRUE: Meat from animals is heavily subsidized by the federal government.

In addition, the cost of a piece of meat from an animal doesn't take into account the true cost associated with producing that piece of meat - the negative environmental and human health impacts.

Here is some more information on the topic:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/weekinreview/27bittman.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/meat/interviews/pollan.html

http://www.pcrm.org/magazine/gm07autumn/health_pork.html

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1917458,00.html

Answer 3

There is scientific reasons to go with the economic ones. The meat comes from animals, which are consumers, and the vegetables, when alive, were producers. Following the 10% rule many scientists observe, the producers have more biomass, or, in simpler words, there are more of them. Because there are more producers than consumers, then obviously the less populated consumers(or meat) are more expensive, because of their rarity.

Answer 4

Plant food is easier to grow. It involves less work so there is therefore a cheaper price to pay. However, in order to get meat, you must raise the animal and pay to feed it. This involves years and years of care, so therefore, meat is more expensive.

Answer 5

Yes. Veggie meat contains little to no cholesterol, and usually has much lower levels of fat.