Looking to localise protein production and reduce dependency on imports, Ghanaian startup Legendary Foods is leveraging palm larvae, a nutritional powerhouse, and resource-efficient protein source.
The food technology startup specialising in insect protein, Legendary Foods Africa, is on a mission to answer the growing global demand for protein with a sustainable solution, palm larvae, the juvenile and wormlike form of a palm weevil, an insect that burrows into palm trees.
The startup targets regions where traditional protein sources are often scarce or expensive, and food security is a pressing concern. Across the markets that Legendary Foods serves – West and Central Africa, Southeast Asia, China, and Latin America – insect protein is culturally accepted and a staple in many people's diets, making it an ideal source and solution to meet the growing protein demand. Shobhita Soor, founder and CEO of Legendary Foods, told Fi Global Insights that because insects are widely consumed in these regions, the company does not need to convince consumers to try something new.
The area that Soor is most excited about, and where Legendary Foods sees the most growth potential is as an ingredient in food manufacturing and food production. It is currently a B2C company – it says its first product, the “protein and zinc-filled” Ako cookies, are the “healthiest shortbread cookies in Ghana” – but it intends to expand to fulfil B2B orders.
“We have put palm larvae into our own flagship products. So, we have a biscuit, [and] we have a condiment that is fortified with the larvae,” she explained, adding that the next phase for the company will be selling palm larvae protein powder to other food production companies.
In many emerging markets, including Ghana, where Legendary Foods is based, livestock and poultry meat comprise 40% of the nation's total animal protein consumption. Ninety-five percent of this poultry is imported from outside the country, according to Amen Africa, a Pan-African market advisory firm.
The alternative, local poultry production, is a goal from a food security, economic growth, self-sufficiency, and sustainability standpoint, but even this relies on imported and often expensive feed.
“When you’re in an economy with a depreciating currency, what happens month over month, when you’re importing feed [is] your operating costs are getting more expensive, [...] and that means, either, your production becomes unsustainable, or your product [becomes unsustainable],” Soor explained.
Insect farming, conversely, does not rely on imported resources and offers a more sustainable and local solution. “Insect protein is extremely resource-efficient,” Soor noted, adding that its production requires less land and feed than traditional livestock farming, and can be grown locally.
Soor added that, compared to poultry or cattle, palm larvae production is more efficient in terms of water and waste conversion. The water palm larvae need to grow is minimal, and because the larvae feed on agricultural waste, there is no need to grow water-intensive crops, thus reducing the water footprint.
Emphasising the importance of localisation, Soor said: “Covid definitely taught us all that localising the supply chain is super important.” She explained that the majority of food manufacturing companies in West Africa import milk, and even fish protein for bouillon cubes, which can be expensive and unreliable.
“We're offering a scalable, sustainable, local, and natural protein solution,” Soor said, adding that Legendary Foods’ insect protein helps manufacturers reduce their reliance and dependence on imported products, while also providing consumers with high-quality and affordable protein.
In addition to cost savings, and sustainable, local production, palm larvae are nutritional powerhouses. “Palm larvae are designed to meet the needs of the population from a nutritional perspective. […] It is rich in zinc, iron, B vitamins, magnesium, and calcium. It has a great fatty acid profile and is a complete protein from an amino acid perspective,” Soor said.
To maximise efficiency, while minimising the resources used, Legendary Foods employs a vertical farming system. Soor explained that in her company’s case, vertical farming means the larvae are housed in bins, stacked on shelves, and kept indoors.
Soor noted that the insect agricultural systems commonly used in Europe and North America tend to be CapEx-heavy and rely on strict climate control: “You're controlling the temperature within a very short range. What that means is that your entire colony becomes extremely dependent on those conditions. So, if you fall outside of those conditions, then […] there could be potential […] lethal consequences.”
Legendary Foods employs a different system. Soor explained that in Africa the most successful vertical farming systems are partially exposed to the elements. Passive climate control systems allow Soor and her team to have some control over the system but do not require such a tight temperature range, which is crucial given the sometimes-unstable energy infrastructure in Africa.
When it comes to waste-to-protein conversion, palm larvae feed on and digest agricultural waste, and use its nutrients to grow, thus efficiently converting waste into body mass, and a rich source of protein for human consumption.
The use of agricultural waste as feed for the palm larvae is another sustainable and cost-efficient aspect of Legendary Foods farming model. By utilising organic by-products, the company can significantly reduce its environmental footprint, while contributing to the circular economy. The waste, which would otherwise go unutilised, becomes a valuable resource for Legendary Foods.
The company uses two forms of agricultural waste: industrial organic waste from the beverage industry and coconut husks.
Typically, the flesh and milk of coconut are seen as the most valuable and useful parts of the fruit, while the husk is often discarded. This byproduct, however, is full of nutrients and makes an excellent feed source. Soor shared that Legendary Foods has “catalysed” the launch of a few “green entrepreneurs”, who collect the coconut shells for the company and then receive a collection fee. This process helps eliminate waste while encouraging local entrepreneurship and creating jobs within the region.
At the moment, the company sells its products and primarily services the West African market, for example in the convenience stores attached to gas stations and in local open-air markets.
Looking to the future, Legendary Foods has ambitious plans. Soor explained that the company is especially interested in reintroducing consumers to insect-based food products, which have been present in the human diet for centuries. “For us, expansion to other markets is something we're really excited about,” Soor noted, both within West and Central Africa, but also in South American and Asian markets too.
Beyond these markets, Soor does see potential in the European and North American markets but acknowledges that entry would be more difficult. For example, regulatory hurdles in the EU may delay the introduction of palm larvae to the market.The US, on the other hand, is one of the “ultimate biohacking markets” according to Soor, and palm larvae, she explained, could appeal to this market given their nutritionally rich profile and promising insulin sensitivity properties, which is a growing area of interest in health and wellness circles.
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