Protein Ingredients Market

According to MarketsandMarkets, the protein ingredients market is projected to reach USD 85.6 billion by 2028 from USD 61.0 billion in 2023, at a CAGR of 7.0% during the forecast period.

Rising health and wellness awareness has prompted consumers to seek protein-rich and functional foods, leading to increased consumption of protein supplements and fortified products. According to the International Food Information Council's 2024 survey, the percentage of consumers actively trying to consume more protein has grown from 59% in 2022 to 71% in 2024. High-protein diets are becoming more and more popular as a means of supporting muscle growth and recovery due to the growing trends in fitness and sports nutrition. Additionally, the growing prevalence of health-conscious lifestyles and the expanding market for plant-based and functional foods has also significantly boosted its demand. Fitness trends, higher disposable incomes, and a growing preference for healthier dietary choices, further accelerates this growth.

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Market Dynamics

Driver: Increasing demand for proteins as nutritional and functional ingredient

In response to rising consumer demand for ingredients that are both functional and nutritious, the global protein market has grown significantly. As consumers prioritize health and wellness, protein has emerged as a key component in their diets due to its benefits for muscle maintenance, weight management, and overall vitality. Proteins, especially from plant and dairy sources, have become popular due to their versatile uses, from improving plant-based meats to providing convenient protein snacks and sports nutrition products. According to Glanbia's December 2021 report, this demand spans a variety of products, from innovative plant-based proteins that address dietary preferences and sustainability issues to bioactive dairy proteins aimed at enhancing athletic performance. As consumers increasingly prioritize their health, sustainability, and convenience aspects, the protein market is adapting to provide a diverse array of functional and nutritious options.

Restraint: Allergies associated with plant-based protein sources

The market expansion for protein ingredients has been severely hampered by allergies to plant-based protein sources like soy, peas, and certain nuts. These allergies pose a serious risk to one's health as they can cause reactions ranging from minor symptoms like hives and itching to severe anaphylaxis. For instance, as per an article by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), soy allergy affects around 0.4% of infants in the US and is more common in newborns and early childhood. These allergies restrict the market growth and make it difficult for producers to develop substitutes free of allergens. This restriction prevents businesses from expanding their market reach as they have to deal with regulatory obstacles as well as invest money on research to ensure the safety of their products. This results in increased production costs and less innovation in the market for protein ingredients.

Opportunity : Demand for plant-based protein from growing vegan population

Vegan population has grown globally due to growing environmental awareness, animal welfare, and health consciousness. Demand for plant-based proteins has increased dramatically due to the growing vegan population. This shift in dietary preferences presents a substantial opportunity for the protein ingredients market. There's a growing need for plant-based protein substitutes as more and more individuals embrace vegan lifestyles. Plant-based proteins, which cater to these dietary choices, are becoming mainstream, leading to innovation and expansion in the protein ingredients market. A 2022 report by the Good Food Institute states that sales of vegan foods—such as dairy and meat substitutes—grew by 54% between 2018 and 2021. This surge reflects the broader trend toward plant-based diets, highlighting the growing market potential for protein ingredients tailored to vegan consumers.

Challenge: Concerns over quality of food & beverages due to adulteration of GM ingredients

Concerns over quality of food & beverages due to the adulteration of genetically modified ingredients pose challenge in the protein ingredients market. Consumers are aware of GM ingredients, fearing potential health risks and environmental impacts. Food and beverage products that contain genetically modified proteins may lose their integrity and lose the trust and demand of consumers. dynamics. This shift has created challenges for manufacturers in sourcing non-GM protein ingredients and maintaining product purity. Production has become more expensive and complex as a result of increased regulatory scrutiny of GM labelling and ingredient traceability. Companies have been compelled to make investments in strict quality controls in order to ensure transparency and maintain consumer trust, which has further complicated the dynamics of the protein ingredients market.

Protein Ingredients Market Ecosystem

Key players within this market consist of reputable and financially robust protein ingredient product manufacturers. These entities boast extensive industry tenure, offering diversified product portfolios, cutting-edge technologies, and robust global sales and marketing networks.

Plant, By source, is the fastest growing segment among protein ingredient source segment during the study period.

The plant segment within the protein ingredients market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR, driven by increasing consumer demand for sustainable and health-conscious alternatives. People are increasingly turning to plant proteins as they are seen as more environmentally friendly and ethical compared to animal-based proteins. Concerns about animal welfare and the desire for vegan or flexitarian diets are also driving this shift. Additionally, the fact that these proteins are free of cholesterol and have fewer saturated fats makes them preferred for other health reasons. According to the Good Food Institute, sales of plant-based protein powders and liquids in the US has grown by 29% from 2018 to 2021, reflecting this trend. Compared to animal and insect sources, plant proteins are perceived as more versatile and acceptable option, further boosting their growth prospects in the protein ingredients market.

Pharmaceuticals, by application, is the fastest growing segment among application segment during the study period.

The growing emphasis on personalized medicine and advanced treatments is boosting the demand for high-quality protein ingredients in both drug formulations and supplements. Proteins, such as peptides and amino acids, are essential for creating treatments for chronic illnesses, improving muscle recovery, and supporting overall health. They are also important in biopharmaceuticals and injectable therapies, where their stability and effectiveness are crucial. Pharmaceuticals require highly specialized and pure protein ingredients, due to which they are growing at a significantly faster rate than food and beverage, feed, and cosmetics. Additional growth in this field is being driven by the rise in health issues and preventive healthcare.

South America is the fastest growing market for protein ingredient among the regions.

South America's protein ingredients market is expected to grow the fastest due to its important role in global protein production and export. Brazil, a major player, is one of the top producers of soybeans and beef worldwide, offering a large supply of protein-rich ingredients. A USDA article from May 2024 states Argentina as the world's top exporter of soymeal, which further increases the region's influence in the protein ingredient market. Growth in the South American protein ingredient market is fueled by these countries strong production capacities as well as growing domestic and international demand. This robust supply chain and export strength make South America a key area of growth in the global protein ingredients market.

Key Market Players

The key players in the protein ingredients market include DuPont (US), ADM (US), Cargill, Incorporated (US), Kerry Group plc (Ireland), Arla Foods amba (Denmark), BRF Global (Brazil), The Scoular Company (US), Roquette Freres (France), AMCO Proteins (US), and Puris (US). These market participants are emphasizing the expansion of their footprint via agreements and partnerships. They maintain a robust presence in North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, South America, and RoW, and they are supported by manufacturing facilities and well-established distribution networks spanning these regions.

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Scope of the Report

Target Audience

• Protein raw material (ingredients) suppliers
• Protein based product manufacturers
• Intermediate suppliers, such as traders and distributors of protein ingredients based food & beverages, feed, cosmetics & personal care products, and pharmaceuticals
• Protein ingredients based food & beverages, feed, cosmetics and pharmaceutical companies
• Government and protein research organizations
• Associations, regulatory bodies, and other industry-related bodies:
  • Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
  • European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
  • The Association of American Feed Control Officials
  • Food Standards Australia New Zealand
  • US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (US)
  • World Health Organization (WHO)

Protein Ingredients Market:

By Source

• Animal Source
  • Dairy Protein Ingredients
    • Milk Protein
      • MPC
      • Milk Protein Isolates
      • Milk Protein Hydrolysates
    • Whey Protein
      • Whey Protein Concentrate
      • Whey Protein Isolates
    • Casein & Caseinates
  • Egg Protein
  • Collagen
• Plant Source
  • Soy
  • Wheat
  • Pea
  • Other Sources
• Insect Source
• Microbial Source

By Form

• Dry
• Liquid

By Application

• Food & Beverages
  • Meat & Meat Alternatives
  • Dairy & Dairy Alternatives
  • Bakery Products
  • Performance Nutrition
  • Convenience Foods
  • Other Food Applications
• Feed
• Cosmetics & Personal Care Products
• Pharmaceuticals

By Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• South America
• Rest of the World (RoW)

Recent Developments

• In April 2024, Arla Foods amba (Denmark) announced an agreement to acquire Volac’s (UK) Whey Nutrition business, including Volac Whey Nutrition Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries. The deal, pending regulatory approval, was set to close later this year. The acquisition aimed to establish the Felinfach site as a global production hub, enhancing Arla Foods Ingredients' offerings in sports nutrition, health, and food sectors.
• In September 2023, Cargill, Incorporated (US) announced the opening of its first European Protein Innovation Hub at its Saint-Cyr en Val facility in France, part of a USD 54.1 million investment. The new hub, which included a test kitchen and pilot plant, aimed to support customers in co-creating and testing protein-rich products. This expansion increased the site's output capacity by 10% and enhanced its sustainability efforts.
• In May 2023, Arla Foods amba (Denmark) launched Lacprodan Alpha-50, a new alpha-lactalbumin-rich ingredient for low-protein infant formulas. This product meets the rising demand for reduced protein content due to obesity concerns and regulatory changes. With 90% of its protein as alpha-lactalbumin, Lacprodan Alpha-50 allows manufacturers to match human milk protein levels with smaller doses.

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