Meat sales have increased rapidly during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, a new report from the North American Meat Institute (NAMI) shows.

As the world’s population grows, sustainably generated protein sources for livestock are becoming a more important aspect of food production. To that end, food and feed industry provider Bühler and insect production company Protix have founded Bühler Insect Technology Solutions, a Liyang, China-based joint venture that will develop industrial solutions for the rearing and processing of insects to provide protein for animal feed and food.

A growing segment of consumers are relying less on animal proteins such as beef, poultry, pork or seafood when it comes to meeting their nutrition needs.

A new study says highlights within the protein trend include nuts, yogurt and exotic meats.