Why eating crickets is the next protein revolution
From “yucky” to “yummy” – that’s what the Vietnamese start-up has successfully achieve with their food products, all made from crickets.
Vietnamese start-up CricketOne powder protein. Photo: CricketOne
Don’t be deceived by what your eyes see; these creepy crawlers are a great source of high-quality protein, vitamin B, healthy fatty acids, and essential micronutrients like calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. Additionally, unlike conventional meat, crickets are also a good source of fibre.
However, let’s be real – it can be hard to enjoy food that doesn’t look or seem appealing. That’s why CricketOne, a start-up from Vietnam, came up with a clever solution, turning these insects into protein powder and tasty snacks – you’d never guess they’re made from bugs.
Located in Binh Phuoc, north of Saigon, a new facility will initially process 1,000 tons of crickets per year, with plans to increase this to 10,000 tons in five years. CricketOne, founded in 2016 by Nam Dang and Bicky Ngueyn, started selling cricket products in late 2017. They began by sourcing crickets from local farmers and using old shipping containers for processing but have since improved their methods.
Unlike most insect companies that focus on animal feed, CricketOne makes products for both people and pets, including cricket protein powders, textured meat, snacks, and health supplements.
In an interview with the company's co-founder Bicky Nguyen, she noted that while eating insects is more accepted in Asian countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, these products are not widely available in stores.
“Crickets are familiar to Vietnamese people, but they aren't commonly found in stores or on the streets yet. You’d need to visit specific restaurants to find them. Although we have a history of cricket farming, it’s usually basic and traditional household farming rather than anything modern or commercial,” she explained.
CricketOne expanded by introducing cricket snacks like Rec Rec in Vietnam and offering products such as chips and coated crickets to help clients launch new items quickly. They saw the potential in the pet food market but stressed the need for research and cost management.
The company aimed to become a leader in sustainable and affordable cricket production, offering a variety of products for both humans and pets. Today, their products are sold in 27 countries around the world.
Bicky Nguyen, co-founder of CricketOne
Bicky was invited to New Zealand as a keynote speaker at the ASEAN Forum, where she discussed their alternative protein products with a Kiwi audience in a country renowned for its production and export of traditional meats like beef.
Addressing Western audiences still skeptical about insect-based products is nothing new for Bicky. She said, “The most common question is how to overcome consumer acceptance, especially here in New Zealand. Considering insect protein as an alternative to conventional meat production can be quite intimidating for those in the industry.”
Recently, Singapore's government approved 16 types of edible insects for human consumption, including crickets, mealworms, moths, grasshoppers, locusts, honeybees, grubs, and moth larvae. Should New Zealand follow suit and embrace insect consumption?
Entomologist Neil Birrell believes we should.
In an interview on Breakfast, he explained that insects have a much smaller feed conversion ratio, meaning they can be farmed in a very small space with minimal land use. “They convert feed into protein much more efficiently, which helps reduce greenhouse gases,” he added.
Cricket farming is more environmentally friendly than traditional meat farming, but it's still uncommon in New Zealand. However, eating insects isn't unfamiliar to Kiwis. In the South Island, Malcolm Diack’s locust farm in Otago is the first in the country to be approved for human consumption.
Like Diack, Bicky understands the challenges of introducing insect-based products to Western markets. “People are aware of alternative proteins, but they may not fully believe in them. Changing consumer behaviour and habits is not something that happens overnight,” she said.
CricketOne’s mission, like other alternative diets, is inspire people to try new protein sources, without pushing crickets as the ultimate solution. Just like any diet, relying on a single option is not sustainable.
New podcast episode on Asia Insight, hosted by Lingy Au with Bicky Nguyen.
To learn more about CricketOne, listen to our Asia Insight podcast, featuring Bicky Nguyen in conversation with Asia New Zealand Foundation’s Senior Adviser for Entrepreneurship, Lingy Au (click here).
This article was first published on the Foundation's Asia Media Centre.
The Foundation's Entrepreneurship Programme supports emerging New Zealand entrepreneurs to build connections and facilitate business relationships in Asia, and supports Asian entrepreneurs to build connections in New Zealand.
