Innovations in cell culture and media cost reduction bring cultivated chicken to market at competitive prices

SuperMeat, a leader in the cultivated meat sector, has achieved a significant milestone in making cultivated chicken more affordable and accessible. The company, which specializes in producing chicken composed of muscle and fat directly from animal cells, has developed a breakthrough process that allows it to produce chicken at scale for US$11.79 per pound. This cost is on par with pasture-raised premium chicken in the USA, a key step toward making cultivated chicken commercially viable.

One of the company’s major innovations lies in its ability to produce high cell densities, reaching up to 80 million cells per milliliter in just nine days. This achievement is made possible by a robust cell line that grows without the need for genetic modifications or animal components, ensuring a more sustainable process. The result is a fast-growing, high-density culture that supports consistent, high yields over extended periods, making the production process more efficient.

In addition, SuperMeat has tackled one of the major cost barriers in cultivated meat production: cell feed. Traditionally, animal-based ingredients such as serum and albumin have been used in cell media, contributing to high costs. However, SuperMeat has reduced its media costs to under US$0.50 per liter by replacing these ingredients with animal-free alternatives. Furthermore, after just six days in culture, SuperMeat’s cells produce their own essential growth factors, allowing the company to reduce feeding requirements and improve cost efficiency.

SuperMeat’s approach to tissue differentiation is another key factor in its ability to lower production costs. By using embryonic stem cells, the company produces both muscle and fat tissues directly from animal cells. This allows for faster growth cycles, with fat produced in just 24 hours and muscle in four days. Additionally, the muscle and fat cells produced are nearly double the size of conventional cells, resulting in a 50% reduction in production costs. This innovation also ensures the end product delivers the familiar texture, taste, and nutrition of traditional chicken, appealing to consumers seeking familiar meat alternatives.

The process begins with a nine-day cell growth phase to reach the desired high cell densities, followed by a 45-day period in which meat mass is harvested daily while the remaining cells continue to grow. In a compact 10-liter bioreactor, SuperMeat can produce 66 pounds of cultivated chicken, demonstrating the high efficiency of its system. The company’s continuous process allows for 3 lbs of edible meat—equivalent to the amount of meat harvested from one chicken—to be produced in just 2 days. In contrast, conventional chicken farming takes 42 days to achieve the same result.

Furthermore, SuperMeat’s process is significantly more resource-efficient than traditional chicken farming. Cultivating 1kg of chicken requires 80% less land compared to conventional methods. When scaled to an industrial plant, SuperMeat’s system could produce up to 3 million kilograms (approximately 6.7 million pounds) of cultivated chicken per year, equivalent to 2.7 million chickens. Achieving this with traditional farming would require substantial land, infrastructure, and resources.

Ido Savir, CEO and Co-Founder of SuperMeat, expressed confidence in the company’s breakthrough, highlighting the growing skepticism surrounding cultivated meat. “Current sentiment around cultivated meat includes skepticism regarding its scalability and market readiness, with concerns that cultivated meat may be more hype than a viable alternative,” said Savir. “Our new report provides proof that with the right technology, there is a commercially viable path to market.” Savir emphasized the potential for cultivated chicken to meet consumer demand for affordable, sustainable, and nutritious meat alternatives, while supporting long-term market adoption.

SuperMeat’s transparent approach aims to educate consumers and businesses about the potential of cultivated meat. Currently, 64% of US consumers remain unfamiliar with cultivated meat, making education a key part of the company’s strategy. By showcasing its progress, SuperMeat is working to build trust and support for a more sustainable and animal-friendly food system.