KFC to sell plant-based fried chicken in China for limited period

KFC is planning to sell plant-based fried chicken for the first time in China over a limited time period.

The nuggets will be supplied by Cargill Ltd and will be sold at only three outlets in China in Shanghai and the southern cities of Guangzhou and Shenzhen between April 28-30, shared KFC on its official Weibo account.

Customers who would like to try a bite must purchase a pre-sale coupon, the QSR chain mentioned.

One serving comprises of five chicken pieces and will be sold for 1.99 yuan.

The move comes amid growing global interest in China's meat substitute industry, which has been identified by both US players Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat as a key target market.

The coronavirus outbreak is also threatening China's poultry production.

KFC started offering plant-based fried chicken supplied by Beyond Meat in the United States at one of its Atlanta outlets. The two companies said in January that they would expand that tie-up to several KFC stores in Tennessee and North Carolina.