Protein Ingredients Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Product (Plant Proteins, Animal/Dairy Proteins, Microbe-based Protein, Insect Protein), By Application (Food & Beverages, Infant Formulations, Clinical Nutrition, Animal Feed, Others), By Region and Competition, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

The Global Protein Ingredients Market, valued at USD 90.14 Billion in 2024, is projected to experience a CAGR of 5.75% to reach USD 126.07 Billion by 2030. Protein ingredients represent concentrated forms of proteins, derived from diverse animal, plant, and microbial sources, engineered to enhance the nutritional value, functional properties, and textural characteristics of various food, beverage, and supplementary products. The market's expansion is fundamentally driven by increasing global health and wellness awareness, promoting demand for protein-rich diets, alongside the growth of the aging population requiring adequate protein intake for physiological maintenance and the burgeoning sports nutrition sector. Furthermore, a significant driver is the rising consumer preference for sustainable and ethically sourced plant-based protein alternatives, influencing product innovation across the industry.

Supporting these market dynamics, according to the International Food Information Council's 2024 survey, the percentage of consumers actively seeking to increase protein consumption rose from 59% in 2022 to 71% in 2024. Despite this robust growth, a notable challenge impeding market expansion is the persistent volatility in raw material pricing and disruptions within the global supply chain, which can affect production costs and product availability for manufacturers.

Key Market Drivers

The increasing emphasis on consumer health and wellness stands as a primary catalyst for the expansion of the global protein ingredients market. Consumers are exhibiting a pronounced dietary shift towards functional foods and beverages that support various health objectives, including weight management, muscle maintenance, and general vitality. This trend is evident in sustained efforts by individuals to enhance their protein intake through a diverse range of products, from fortified cereals to high-protein snacks. According to Cargill's 2025 Protein Profile, in April 2025, 61% of consumers reported increasing their protein intake in 2024, signifying a substantial rise from 48% in 2019. This heightened consumer awareness directly stimulates demand for protein isolates, concentrates, and hydrolysates across the food and beverage industry, prompting manufacturers to innovate and expand their protein-enriched product portfolios to meet evolving preferences.

Concurrently, the accelerated shift to plant-based protein sources is profoundly influencing the market landscape, driven by growing environmental consciousness, ethical considerations, and perceived health benefits. This societal movement encourages product developers to integrate plant-derived proteins such as soy, pea, and rice proteins into a wider array of consumer goods, moving beyond traditional meat alternatives to include dairy-free beverages, yogurts, and confectionery. According to the Good Food Institute's 2024 State of the Industry reports, in April 2025, global sales of plant-based meat and dairy alternatives reached $28.6 billion in 2024, reflecting a 5% increase from the previous year. This robust growth in plant-based consumption underscores significant investment and innovation in the sector. Addressing the broader market, a research article in PMC, published March 2, 2024, in "Meeting the global protein supply requirements of a growing and ageing population," highlighted that vegetal sources of protein already dominated the global protein supply at approximately 60%, reflecting the foundational role of plant-derived inputs in meeting overall protein requirements.

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Key Market Challenges

The Global Protein Ingredients Market faces a significant challenge from the persistent volatility in raw material pricing and disruptions within the global supply chain. This unpredictability directly increases production costs for manufacturers and compromises product availability. Unstable raw material prices impede effective budgeting and forecasting, eroding profit margins and potentially necessitating higher end-product prices, which can dampen consumer demand.

Moreover, global supply chain disruptions, frequently caused by geopolitical events or environmental factors, lead to procurement delays and material shortages. This prevents manufacturers from consistently meeting market demand, resulting in lost sales and operational inefficiencies. For instance, according to Vesper's 2024 analysis, whey protein isolate prices surged by nearly 25% year-over-year in 2024, directly elevating input costs for the sports nutrition sector. Such fluctuations and logistical challenges constrain market growth by increasing operational complexities and reducing market stability for ingredient producers.

Key Market Trends

The global protein ingredients market increasingly emphasizes sustainable and upcycled protein sourcing, driven by the need to minimize waste and enhance resource efficiency. This trend, fueled by consumer demand for ethically produced ingredients and corporate environmental responsibility, prompts companies to transform food byproducts into valuable protein sources. The Good Food Institute reported global funding for the alternative protein sector, influenced by sustainability, reached $1.1 billion in 2024, demonstrating substantial investment in eco-conscious options. Misfits Market's 2023 Impact Report further highlighted its partnership with the Upcycled Food Association, detailing the sale of 60 Upcycled Certified products and the co-creation of three new items that year. This market shift towards circular economy principles directly influences ingredient innovation and procurement for a reduced environmental footprint.

Technological innovation in protein processing profoundly reshapes the global protein ingredients market, enabling more efficient extraction, improved functionality, and the development of novel protein forms. These advancements include precision fermentation, advanced membrane filtration, and enzymatic hydrolysis, which enhance protein purity, digestibility, and sensory attributes. The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization projects technology can boost global protein production by 15 to 20 percent by 2030, highlighting its critical role in meeting future demand. Companies are actively pursuing these breakthroughs; in January 2024, the Israeli start-up Meala announced it was utilizing naturally occurring biocatalysts with plant proteins to create meat-like textures and juices, aiming to replace conventional additives. Such developments yield more versatile and high-quality protein ingredients for a wider array of food and beverage applications.

Segmental Insights

The Food & Beverages segment stands as the fastest-growing application within the global protein ingredients market, driven primarily by evolving consumer health awareness. Consumers are increasingly prioritizing high-protein diets for weight management, muscle development, and overall wellness, fueling demand for protein-fortified snacks, ready-to-drink beverages, and meal replacements. This growth is further propelled by a significant shift towards plant-based protein sources, catering to rising vegan and vegetarian trends alongside sustainability concerns. Manufacturers are actively innovating to incorporate diverse protein types into a wide array of convenient and appealing food and beverage products, extending protein's appeal beyond traditional sports nutrition to a broader demographic seeking functional and nutritious options.

Regional Insights

North America holds a leading position in the global protein ingredients market, primarily due to heightened consumer awareness regarding health and the nutritional benefits of protein consumption. A robust sports nutrition culture and increasingly active lifestyles across the region significantly drive the demand for protein-fortified food and beverage products. The presence of a sophisticated food and beverage industry actively incorporates diverse protein sources to meet this demand, including a growing preference for functional, clean-label, and plant-based ingredients. Furthermore, regulatory guidelines, notably from entities such as the U. S. Food and Drug Administration regarding protein content claims, contribute to a structured market environment and foster consumer confidence.

Recent Developments

• In November 2024, Arla Foods Ingredients introduced Lacprodan DI-3092, a novel whey protein hydrolysate specifically developed for peptide-based medical nutrition. This new ingredient was formulated to deliver a higher protein concentration, providing 10g of protein per 100ml, which significantly exceeds the typical market standard. The company aimed to minimize the inherent bitterness often associated with such hydrolysates, addressing a key challenge in patient compliance for medical nutrition products. This innovation is poised to enhance the palatability and nutritional efficacy of specialized dietary solutions within the global protein ingredients market.

• In July 2024, Kerry introduced ProDiem, a new plant-based protein solution. This product was developed to address growing consumer demand for functional nutrition while overcoming traditional formulation challenges associated with plant proteins, such as taste and texture issues. ProDiem incorporates complementary combinations of plant proteins, including pea, rice, and oats, aiming to deliver an amino acid profile closer to that of animal protein. This launch by Kerry represented a strategic move to provide high-quality plant-based options for various health and wellness applications within the global protein ingredients market.

• In the second half of 2024, ADM and Marel, a provider of food processing solutions, finalized a joint venture agreement to establish a new innovation center in the Netherlands. This collaborative space was designed to accelerate advancements in alternative protein capabilities, supporting the development of next-generation, protein-forward foods from initial concept to commercialization. The center allowed food manufacturers to work with food scientists and extrusion experts to prototype new products and leverage novel processing techniques. This partnership underscores a focus on expanding innovation in the alternative protein segment of the global protein ingredients market.

• In the second quarter of 2025, Beneo's new €50 million faba bean processing facility in Germany is expected to commence significant commercial operations. Announced previously in 2022, this facility will enable Beneo to further expand its offerings of faba bean protein ingredients. The company has developed various applications for faba bean protein, particularly for the meat and dairy alternatives segments, where it serves as a versatile and sustainable plant-based protein source. This development positions Beneo to capitalize on the increasing consumer interest in plant-based and hybrid food products within the global protein ingredients market.

Key Market Players

• Archer Daniels Midland Company
• Tessenderlo Group nv
• Kewpie Corporation
• Roquette Belgium NV
• The Scoular Company
• CHS, Inc.
• Mead Johnson & Company, LLC
• CropEnergies AG
• Cargill, Incorporated
• Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Protein Ingredients Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Protein Ingredients Market, By Product:

o   Plant Proteins

o   Animal/Dairy Proteins

o   Microbe-based Protein

o   Insect Protein

• Protein Ingredients Market, By Application:

o   Food & Beverages

o   Infant Formulations

o   Clinical Nutrition

o   Animal Feed

o   Others

• Protein Ingredients Market, By Region:

o   North America

§  United States

§  Canada

§  Mexico

o   Europe

§  France

§  United Kingdom

§  Italy

§  Germany

§  Spain

o   Asia Pacific

§  China

§  India

§  Japan

§  Australia

§  South Korea

o   South America

§  Brazil

§  Argentina

§  Colombia

o   Middle East & Africa

§  South Africa

§  Saudi Arabia

§  UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies presents in the Global Protein Ingredients Market.

Available Customizations:

Global Protein Ingredients Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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