BPP Partnership Impact Series: Scaling climate-friendly cricket protein production in Vietnam

Since its launch, the Business Partnerships Platform (BPP) has worked with ambitious partners to deliver meaningful, lasting change in communities across the world. The BPP Partnership Impact Series celebrates the outcomes and lessons from our partnerships, highlighting their contributions to inclusive economic growth, resilience and sustainable development.

Our Green Recovery partnerships in Vietnam were established to accelerate a green and inclusive recovery in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This partnership, which concluded in 2024, tackled the need for low-emissions protein by enabling small-scale farms and businesses to raise and process crickets for food and animal feed, creating a model that is profitable, resource-efficient and scalable.

Rethinking protein for people and planet

Cricket One, in partnership with Entoverse (formerly known as Entomo Ventures) and the Australian Government, has been growing Vietnam’s insect farming sector and developing cricket-based food as a climate-smart protein source. Crickets offer a more sustainable alternative to conventional livestock rearing, requiring significantly less water, feed and land, while providing high nutritional value.

Throughout the partnership, the team introduced innovative farming systems, launched a new processing facility and expanded its access to new markets. Four new products were developed, including cricket crackers and textured protein, which quickly gained popularity in Vietnam and overseas. Strong branding, consumer engagement and export partnerships supported the commercial growth of the industry. With its lower environmental footprint and strong market appeal, cricket protein is helping shape a more sustainable and resilient food system in Vietnam.

About the partnership

This BPP partnership ran from 2021 to 2024, supporting the expansion of Vietnam’s cricket farming industry through improved technology, market access and inclusive business development. Cricket One’s revenue grew sixfold during the partnership period, supported by the launch of a new consumer brand, Rec Rec, and strong demand from both domestic and international buyers.

The partnership created 14 new jobs and supported sales through more than 800 retail outlets across the country. It also unlocked AUD 2.4 million in private investment to support further growth, including a capital injection of USD600,000 in 2024 for its subsidiary, Rec Rec. Farmers were supported through a contract farming model, with access to feed, training and guaranteed prices. The partnership helped strengthen Vietnam’s capacity to produce alternative protein at scale, while supporting innovation, jobs and sustainable business growth.

Impact

During the BPP partnership period, the impact included:

• Saving water: More than 8.9 million m³ conserved compared to conventional livestock
• Reducing emissions: Over 55,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent avoided
• Boosting farmers’ incomes: Nine contracted households (including two women-led and six couple-led farms) produced an average of 1,450 kg/month, generating stable monthly profits of VND 21.75 million each
• Building new skills: 128 farmers trained in cricket farming, with women making up 63% of participants
• Creating an inclusive workforce: New jobs created for ethnic minorities and older farmers often excluded from factory work, alongside female leadership opportunities at Rec Rec

Advancing workplace equity: At Cricket One, 19 of 32 employees were women, supported through on-the-job training and wellness initiatives, with three women in leadership roles at Rec Rec.

Spotlight on success: Rec Rec

During the partnership, a standout initiative was the rise of Rec Rec, Vietnam’s first cricket snack brand. Spinning out as an independent company in 2023, Rec Rec rapidly expanded to more than 800 retail outlets across Vietnam, secured export deals in Singapore and China, and achieved revenues of VND 7 billion in 2024.

In late 2023, Rec Rec gained national attention with a winning pitch on Shark Tank Vietnam, securing a USD $100,000 investment. Over the course of the partnership, the team built a strong go-to-market playbook, refined its brand position, and laid the foundations for future growth by testing smaller pack sizes, innovating product formats focused on health and affordability, and strengthening links between marketing and distribution. These steps positioned Rec Rec to scale sustainable protein snacks across Vietnam’s vast general trade market and into international outlets.

View the full partnership impact story below or download here.