EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Dec. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With a mission to positively impact human health, climate change, constraints on natural resources and animal welfare, Beyond Meat, Inc. (NASDAQ: BYND), a leader in plant-based meat, today released its 2024 Corporate Responsibility Report and its Beyond Burger IV Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study, and announced its first-time submission to CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project). As part of its approach to corporate responsibility, the company conti ...

Core Insights - The AgTech and Food Innovation landscape is evolving due to technology, sustainability requirements, and changing consumer behavior, impacting food growth, processing, and distribution [1] - The industry is shifting towards smarter, resource-efficient systems to enhance long-term resilience amid climate pressures and evolving global diets [2] Trends in AgTech & Food Innovation - Modernization of growing environments, including indoor farms and hydroponics, is enabling consistent yields with fewer inputs, exemplified by Hydrofarm Holdings Group, Inc. (HYFM) [3] - Ingredient innovation is driven by clean-label preferences and sustainable sourcing, with Ingredion Incorporated (INGR) providing plant-based proteins and specialty formulations [4] - The supply chain is transforming through digital traceability and automation, enhancing efficiency and transparency from farm to shelf [5] Key Companies in AgTech & Food Innovation - Beyond Meat, Inc. (BYND) focuses on plant-based innovation, aiming to replicate animal meat's taste and texture, with ongoing product reformulation to enhance flavor and nutritional profiles [7][8] - GrowGeneration Corp. (GRWG) is a major supplier of hydroponic and indoor-growing equipment, supporting growers with a comprehensive ecosystem of commercial solutions [11][12][13] - Tyson Foods, Inc. (TSN) is emphasizing protein innovation and sustainability, with initiatives like developing an insect-ingredient facility to convert byproducts into sustainable feed inputs [14][16]

Core Insights - Beyond Meat Inc. has regained its status as a popular meme stock, leading to a significant increase in retail trading activity and lifting the company's stock from record lows [1][3][6] Retail Trading Activity - Retail investors accounted for 16% of total single-stock trading volume on a recent Tuesday, marking the highest level recorded since 2018, with approximately $1.3 billion traded that day [2][4] - Non-professional traders invested $895 million in stocks and ETFs by 11 a.m. on Thursday, placing them in the top 14th percentile of trading activity over the past year, with a strong preference for single stocks [5] Market Trends - The resurgence of Beyond Meat as a meme stock has contributed to a broader trend of elevated retail trading volumes in October, driven by interests in sectors such as crypto, AI, and gold [4][5] - Beyond Meat's stock experienced a dramatic rally, surging over 1,300% within four days after hitting record lows due to a debt swap that led to substantial shareholder dilution [6]

Core Viewpoint - Beyond Meat is experiencing a volatile stock performance, with a recent meme-fueled rally followed by significant declines, raising concerns about its underlying business fundamentals and long-term viability [2][3][4]. Company Performance - Beyond Meat shares traded below $1 for the first time on October 13, 2025, before surging to an intraday high of $7.69 earlier this week, marking a 364.7% increase for the week [3][4]. - Despite the recent surge, shares were down 8.1% at $3.29, indicating a continuation of a losing streak [3]. - The company has never achieved an annual profit, with sales declining from $464.7 million in 2021 to $326.5 million in 2024 [4][6]. Market Position - Beyond Meat was the first pure-play maker of plant-based meat to go public, initially gaining attention through celebrity endorsements and partnerships with major brands like McDonald's and Yum! Brands [5]. - The company faces stiff competition from both privately owned Impossible Foods and larger players like Tyson Foods, which have introduced their own plant-based options [6]. Stock Dynamics - The recent spike in stock price was attributed to a short squeeze rather than a genuine recovery in demand, as heavily shorted stocks can see rapid price increases when short sellers are forced to buy back shares [7]. - Following the announcement of a debt-swap deal, shares hit an all-time low of 52 cents on October 16, 2025, leading to increased trading volume as retail investors rallied around the stock [8]. Distribution Expansion - Beyond Meat is expanding its distribution to over 2,000 Walmart locations and upscale grocer Erewhon for its Beyond Burger and Beyond Beef products [2][4].

Core Insights - Beyond Meat has launched its latest versions of Beyond Burger and Beyond Beef at Erewhon locations, marking them as the first plant-based meat products certified by the Clean Label Project [1][2] - The new products contain 21g of protein per serving, only 2g of saturated fat from avocado oil, and are free from GMOs, cholesterol, and added antibiotics or hormones [1][11] Company Overview - Beyond Meat, Inc. is a leading plant-based meat company founded in 2009, focusing on creating products that mimic the taste and texture of animal-based meat while being healthier for people and the planet [3] - The company's mission emphasizes the positive impact of shifting from animal-based meat to plant-based protein on human health, climate change, natural resource constraints, and animal welfare [3] Partnership with Erewhon - Erewhon is a family-owned Certified B Corp and Certified Organic Retailer with a commitment to providing organic and ethically-sourced foods, supporting local growers, and promoting environmental sustainability [5] - The collaboration between Beyond Meat and Erewhon reflects shared values in delivering nutritious and sustainable food options to the community [1][2]