Veganism is a philosophy, lifestyle and socio-economic commitment that seeks to exclude all forms of animal exploitation for food or any other product such as clothing, leather or make-up.
The movement is growing rapidly in developed nations, where socially conscious consumers have the luxury of being selective in their sources of nutrition and clothing. It is further driven by concerns about the environmental impact of the meat industry.
Strictly speaking, the philosophy should also apply to a vegan’s investment portfolio, which means no meat or dairy commodities and only the stocks of animal-free companies. However, investors do not have to be a vegan to cash in on this fast-growing industry.
The rise of veganism has resulted in the proliferation of animal-free alternatives to all kinds of products, which is now a multi billion-dollar industry. The global vegan food market was valued at $15.4 billion in 2020 and is projected to grow by 9.6 per cent from 2019 to 2025, according to market research.
North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific have the largest percentage of vegan populations. From 2012 to 2017, the demand for meat-free food jumped by 987 per cent as global awareness of animal and environmental issues increased, according to the Vegan Society.
So it is safe to say that the trend remains bullish and new innovations in the production of plant-based alternatives to meat are likely to keep coming.
The vegan food products market is divided into egg and dairy alternatives, meat alternatives, vegan bakery and plant-based snacks.
While the Middle East market is still lagging behind other regions, it is gradually catching up, with growth likely to increase by 4 per cent to 5 per cent over the next five years. In 2019, the Middle East vegan market accounted for $176 million of the almost $16bn industry globally.
One option is to invest in start-ups with potential as an angel investor, taking on more risk for the opportunity of bigger rewards
Chaddy Kirbaj,
Swissquote Bank
Investors should consider exposure to this market as part of their diversification and sustainable investment strategies, with a broad portfolio encompassing different products and stocks from various meat substitute companies, dairy alternative manufacturers and plant-based snack producers.
In general, investors could consider two options. The easy option includes buying publicly listed stocks and equities in China, Europe and the US. A good example would be the California-based meat substitute company Beyond Meat, which has a market cap of $8.4bn after its shares jumped 35 per cent in a single year.
Another example is UK-based vegan food products company Nomad Foods, with revenues of $3bn in 2020. One of the best-performing stocks, Nomad’s shares surged 41.5 per cent in a year.
The second option is to invest in start-ups with potential as an angel investor, taking on more risk for the opportunity of bigger rewards.
Investors could also consider focusing on the distribution channels of vegan food products that include speciality stores and online shops. For a broader exposure, there are many thematic exchange-traded funds (ETFs) focused on animal-free products.
A good place to start would be the Vegan Climate ETF that specialises in investments in environmentally friendly and cruelty-free companies, with $18m in assets.
On the other hand, there are many ETFs that focus on a broader environmental, social and governance (ESG) theme that usually includes ethical treatment of animals, among other elements such as green tech and fair trade. Fidelity, Vanguard and BlackRock have ESG-themed ETFs to choose from.
As usual, due diligence is key. Thorough research will enable you to choose companies that translate growth potential into share price performance and avoid ones that speak the language of ESG but are unable to materialise their commitments.
Chaddy Kirbaj is vice director at Swissquote Bank’s Dubai representative office
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match info
Union Berlin 0
Bayern Munich 1 (Lewandowski 40' pen, Pavard 80')
Man of the Match: Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich)
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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heading
Iran has sent five planeloads of food to Qatar, which is suffering shortages amid a regional blockade.
A number of nations, including Iran's major rival Saudi Arabia, last week cut ties with Qatar, accusing it of funding terrorism, charges it denies.
The land border with Saudi Arabia, through which 40% of Qatar's food comes, has been closed.
Meanwhile, mediators Kuwait said that Qatar was ready to listen to the "qualms" of its neighbours.
RESULTS
%3Cp%3E5pm%3A%20Wathba%20Stallions%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh70%2C000%20(Turf)%202%2C200m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20RB%20Sarab%2C%20Allaia%20Tiar%20(jockey)%2C%20Khalifa%20Al%20Neyadi%20(trainer)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E5.30pm%3A%20Mamsha%20Alkhair%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Mutaqadim%2C%20Ray%20Dawson%2C%20Ibrahim%20Al%20Hadhrami%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E6pm%3A%20Emirates%20Fillies%20Classic%20%E2%80%93%20Prestige%20(PA)%20Dh100%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Almotajalliah%2C%20Ray%20Dawson%2C%20Ibrahim%20Al%20Hadhrami%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E6.30pm%3A%20Emirates%20Colts%20Classic%20%E2%80%93%20Prestige%20(PA)%20Dh100%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Fadwaan%2C%20Antonio%20Fresu%2C%20Ahmed%20Al%20Mehairbi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E7pm%3A%20The%20President%E2%80%99s%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Group%201%20(PA)%20Dh2%2C500%2C000%20(T)%202%2C200m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Mujeeb%2C%20Richard%20Mullen%2C%20Salem%20Al%20Ketbi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E7.30pm%3A%20The%20President%E2%80%99s%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Listed%20(TB)%20Dh380%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Western%20Writer%2C%20Richard%20Mullen%2C%20Bhupat%20Seemar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
JAPAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Masaaki Higashiguchi, Shuichi Gonda, Daniel Schmidt
Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo, Tomoaki Makino, Maya Yoshida, Sho Sasaki, Hiroki Sakai, Sei Muroya, Genta Miura, Takehiro Tomiyasu
Midfielders: Toshihiro Aoyama, Genki Haraguchi, Gaku Shibasaki, Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Shoya Nakajima, Takumi Minamino, Hidemasa Morita, Ritsu Doan
Forwards: Yuya Osako, Takuma Asano, Koya Kitagawa
TERMINAL HIGH ALTITUDE AREA DEFENCE (THAAD)
What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US's most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out ballistic missiles as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
THAAD can target projectiles inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 150 kilometres above the Earth's surface.
Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then stationed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
MATCH INFO
CAF Champions League semi-finals first-leg fixtures
Tuesday:
Primeiro Agosto (ANG) v Esperance (TUN) (8pm UAE)
Al Ahly (EGY) v Entente Setif (ALG) (11PM)
Second legs:
October 23
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The biog
Name: Mariam Ketait
Emirate: Dubai
Hobbies: I enjoy travelling, experiencing new things, painting, reading, flying, and the French language
Favourite quote: "Be the change you wish to see" - unknown
Favourite activity: Connecting with different cultures
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Wednesday and the pair embraced but he failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
