(Yicai Global) Sept. 8 -- Beyond Meat, a US producer of meat alternatives, will build a production base in China's eastern Zhejiang province to serve the growing appetite for meat substitutes in nearby Shanghai and other major metropolises, the firm said today.

Beyond will partner with the Jiaxing Economic and Technological Development Zone to develop two plants, one of which will be the world's largest and most technologically advanced plant-based meat factory, the Los Angeles-based firm said.

The move makes Beyond the first foreign plant protein producer to set up a large production facility in China. The new factories should start operating next year, it added.

"China is one of the world's largest markets for animal-based meat products, and potentially for plant-based meat," said founder and Chief Executive Officer Ethan Brown.

Beyond’s vegetarian meat products were being sold in 112,000 retail and restaurant outlets across 84 countries as of June 27 this year.

In April, US coffeehouse chain Starbucks said it would introduce a series of plant-based foods and drinks in China. Rival Californian vegan meat maker Impossible Foods has also announced its intention to enter the China market.

Editor: Kim Taylor