Savory Ingredients Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast Segmented By Type (Yeast Extracts, Hydrolyzed Animal Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Monosodium Glutamate and Others), By Application (Food and Feed), By Origin (Natural and Synthetic), By Form (Liquid, Powder and Others) and By Region 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 9.73 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.54%
Fastest Growing Segment	Powder
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 13.45 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Savory Ingredients Market will grow from USD 9.73 Billion in 2025 to USD 13.45 Billion by 2031 at a 5.54% CAGR. Savory ingredients, comprising agents such as yeast extracts, hydrolyzed vegetable proteins, nucleotides, and monosodium glutamate, are flavor enhancers used to impart umami or salty profiles to food products. The market is primarily propelled by the escalating global consumption of processed and convenience foods which require robust flavor solutions to maintain palatability. This consumption trend is particularly evident in the ready-to-eat sector where these additives are essential for ensuring consistency and taste. According to the World Instant Noodles Association, in 2024, the global consumption of instant noodles reached more than 123 billion servings, reflecting the immense scale of demand for savory flavor applications.

However, the market faces a significant challenge due to rising consumer health consciousness and the clean label movement. Widespread scrutiny regarding synthetic additives and high sodium intake is driving demand for natural alternatives, which often present higher production costs and formulation difficulties. Consequently, the inability to effectively replace traditional enhancers with healthier, recognizable ingredients could impede market expansion as regulatory bodies and consumers increasingly reject artificial components in their diets.

Key Market Drivers

Rapid Expansion of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives is a primary catalyst propelling the market. Manufacturers are increasingly relying on savory ingredients such as yeast extracts and hydrolyzed vegetable proteins to replicate the umami depth and meaty mouthfeel of animal-derived products. This trend is necessitating the development of specialized flavor solutions that mask off-notes inherent in plant proteins while delivering an authentic savory profile. The sector's influence is evident in recent market valuations. According to The Good Food Institute, May 2025, in the '2024 State of the Industry Report', global retail sales of plant-based foods reached $28.6 billion in 2024, underscoring the substantial opportunity for savory ingredient suppliers to innovate within this expanding category.

Simultaneously, the Rising Focus on Sodium Reduction and Healthier Formulations is reshaping product development strategies. Regulatory pressures and consumer health awareness are forcing food brands to reformulate products with lower salt content without compromising taste, creating a surge in demand for natural flavor enhancers that boost salt perception. Savory ingredients like nucleotide-rich yeast extracts are critical in maintaining the flavor intensity of low-sodium snacks and soups. This shift toward functional, health-conscious flavor solutions is translating into robust financial performance for key industry players. According to Symrise, August 2024, in the 'Half Year Results 2024', the company's Food & Beverage division delivered double-digit organic growth in savory products, driven by strong demand for taste balancing solutions. Furthermore, reflecting the broader scale of the sector, according to Ajinomoto, May 2025, the company recorded consolidated sales of ¥1,530.5 billion in the fiscal year 2024, highlighting the continued global reliance on savory and umami applications.

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Key Market Challenges

The clean label movement and escalating consumer health consciousness serve as a substantial impediment to the growth of the global savory ingredients market. As scrutiny regarding synthetic additives intensifies, manufacturers face mounting pressure to eliminate highly effective but artificial flavor enhancers like monosodium glutamate in favor of natural alternatives. This shift necessitates complex and costly reformulation processes, as natural substitutes often command higher prices while offering lower flavor potency and stability. The resulting increase in production costs and potential inconsistency in taste profiles can diminish product competitiveness, thereby restricting the widespread adoption of savory ingredients in price-sensitive segments.

This challenge directly erodes market volume by dampening the demand for the processed food categories that traditionally drive savory ingredient consumption. The scale of this consumer pushback is significant and measurable. According to the International Food Information Council, in 2024, 63% of consumers reported actively avoiding processed foods at least some of the time. This widespread rejection of processed formulations forces food producers to reduce their reliance on conventional savory additives, directly slowing market expansion and complicating revenue growth for ingredient suppliers.

Key Market Trends

The Emergence of Sweet-Savory "Swicy" and Fusion Flavor Trends is rapidly altering the global savory ingredients market as consumers increasingly seek complex, multi-sensory experiences that transcend traditional taste boundaries. This trend involves the strategic pairing of heat-inducing ingredients, such as chili peppers or hot sauces, with sweet elements like honey, fruit, or glazes to create dynamic flavor profiles for snacks, sauces, and ready meals. This shift is expanding the application of savory ingredients beyond conventional savory categories into hybrid formulations that offer novel sensory engagement. The commercial viability of this trend is substantial; according to NACS, June 2024, in the article 'The Hottest Food Trend This Summer: Swicy', dollar sales for food and beverages featuring "spicy" descriptors increased by 9% year-over-year, driven by a growing consumer appetite for these bold, contrasting flavor combinations.

Simultaneously, the Acceleration of Fermentation-Derived Natural Umami Solutions is reshaping ingredient sourcing as manufacturers utilize advanced biosolutions to deliver clean-label flavor depth. Beyond simple yeast extracts, this trend focuses on precision fermentation and enzymatic processes to produce high-fidelity savory notes that satisfy demand for transparency without relying on synthetic additives. This transition towards sophisticated biological ingredients allows producers to maintain rich umami profiles in reformulated products while adhering to strict natural standards. The industrial adoption of these technologies is generating significant growth for key suppliers. According to Novonesis, November 2024, in the 'Interim report 9M 2024', the company's Food & Beverages division achieved 9% organic pro forma sales growth in the first nine months of the year, reflecting the escalating reliance on enzymatic and microbial flavor solutions.

Segmental Insights

The Powder segment currently represents the fastest-growing category within the Global Savory Ingredients Market, primarily driven by its superior shelf stability and logistical efficiency. Manufacturers increasingly prioritize powdered formats for their versatility and ability to ensure uniform flavor distribution in processed snacks, seasonings, and ready-to-eat meals. This expansion is further fueled by the industry-wide shift toward clean-label formulations, as dry ingredients typically require fewer artificial preservatives than liquid alternatives to maintain quality. Consequently, the operational advantages of reduced storage costs and ease of handling continue to accelerate the adoption of powdered savory ingredients across the global food processing sector.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific stands as the dominant region in the Global Savory Ingredients Market, primarily driven by rapid urbanization and rising disposable incomes in key economies like China, India, and Japan. The region’s leadership is underpinned by a significant shift in consumer dietary habits toward convenience and processed foods, such as ready-to-eat meals and savory snacks, which necessitate robust flavor enhancement. Furthermore, deep-rooted culinary traditions favoring rich, umami-based profiles create a sustained demand for seasoning agents. The expanding food processing sector and a growing middle class seeking diverse flavor experiences further solidify the region's market supremacy.

Recent Developments

• In November 2024, Angel Yeast showcased a diverse array of sustainable yeast-based ingredients at the Food Ingredients Europe exhibition in Frankfurt. The company presented its latest innovations, including high-umami yeast extracts and novel yeast proteins, designed to meet the evolving demands for clean-label and nutritious food options. These solutions were highlighted for their ability to significantly enhance flavor profiles in savory applications while addressing critical industry trends such as salt reduction and sugar modulation. By focusing on redefining yeast applications, the company demonstrated its commitment to co-creating value with customers through functional ingredients that cater to health-conscious consumers and the plant-based food sector.
• In June 2024, Lesaffre announced a strategic agreement to acquire the yeast extract business of DSM-Firmenich, a move designed to strengthen its footprint in the global savory ingredients market. This transaction involved the transfer of commercial organizations, technical know-how, and processing technologies to Lesaffre’s Biospringer business unit, enhancing its capacity to serve customers in the savory and fermentation sectors. The collaboration aimed to combine the fermentation expertise of both entities to develop tailored solutions that fit local cultures and consumer tastes. This acquisition was described as a transformative step for Biospringer, enabling it to broaden its range of natural-origin solutions for taste and texture improvement.
• In May 2024, Ohly launched the NEIVA range of health-focused ingredients, significantly expanding its portfolio beyond traditional savory applications. The new collection features specialized yeast extracts and dried lipids formulated to support immune function, cardiovascular health, and overall well-being. These powdered ingredients were produced using advanced fermentation and drying technologies to ensure consistent texture and flavor profiles for use in functional foods, sports nutrition, and dietary supplements. This strategic launch leveraged the company’s deep expertise in yeast derivatives to provide scientifically validated solutions for the growing health and nutrition sector, offering versatile options for product formulators.
• In April 2024, Kerry Group introduced Tastesense Salt, a novel sodium reduction solution specifically designed for the global savory snack market. This innovative ingredient allows manufacturers to lower sodium content by more than 60% in products such as potato chips and pretzels without compromising the desired salty impact or texture. The solution utilizes a proprietary blend of botanical extracts, peptides, and ferments to replicate the sensory profile of sodium chloride, addressing consumer demand for healthier options. By retaining the essential flavor properties and linger of salt, this launch supports the development of clean-label savory snacks that align with nutritional guidelines.

Key Market Players

• Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
• Symrise AG
• Tate & Lyle PLC
• Kerry Group PLC
• Koninklijke DSM N.V.
• Vedan International Holdings Limited
• Sensient Technologies Corporation
• Givaudan SA
• Lesaffre Group
• Angel Yeast Co., Ltd.

By Type	By Application	By Origin	By Form	By Region
Yeast Extracts Hydrolyzed Animal Protein Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Monosodium Glutamate and Others	Food and Feed	Natural and Synthetic	Liquid Powder and Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Savory Ingredients Market, By Type:

• Yeast Extracts
• Hydrolyzed Animal Protein
• Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
• Monosodium Glutamate and Others

• Savory Ingredients Market, By Application:

• Food and Feed

• Savory Ingredients Market, By Origin:

• Natural and Synthetic

• Savory Ingredients Market, By Form:

• Liquid
• Powder and Others

• Savory Ingredients Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE