Middle East and Africa Edible Insects Market – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2030

Middle East and Africa Edible Insects Market Analysis and Insights

Middle East and Africa edible insects market is driven by the factors such as rising inclination towards the consumption of protein-rich food as well as the commercial benefit of insect farming leading to the market growth.

One of the primary factors driving the growth of the edible insects market is the rising inclination toward the consumption of protein-rich food. The continuing clinical trial research conducted by several food safety businesses to better edible meat choices and the potential of edible insects as a new source of bioactive compounds is leading to market expansion. The market is also influenced by increased human foodborne pathogen prevalence in insects. However, ethical barriers associated with tradition and culture, lack of awareness amongst the population, especially in developing countries, and a prolonged time for regulatory framework may act as restraining factors for the Middle East and Africa edible insects market in the forecast period.

The demand for edible insects is expected to increase in Middle East and Africa owing to the rising malnutrition population.

The Middle East and Africa edible insects market is supportive and aims to reduce the risk of transmitting zoonotic diseases with the consumption of edible insects. Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the Middle East and Africa edible insects market will grow at a CAGR of 24.0% during the forecast period of 2023 to 2030.

Market Definition

Edible insects constitute high-quality food for humans, livestock, poultry, and fish. As insects are cold-blooded, they have a high food conversion rate. Some insects are a source of complete protein and provide similar essential proteins to the vegetarian diet.

The usage of edible insects for animal feed is being considered for rapid and quick nutritional deficiency among animals. This potential utilization also helps in the mass distribution and scalability of animal feed in a short span of time. The edible insects' animal feed is also sustainable as they play a major role in making the food chain circular.

Middle East and Africa Edible Insects Market Dynamics

Drivers

• Commercial benefit of insect farming

Most edible insects are harvested in the wild, but a few insect species have been domesticated because of their commercially valuable products. Silkworms and bees are the best-known examples. Sericulture, the practice of rearing silkworms for the production of raw silk, has its origin in China.

Insects are also reared in agriculture to either combat insect pests or for pollination. In biological control, large rearing companies mass produce beneficial insects such as predators and parasitoids. These insects are often sold to fruit, vegetable, and flower farmers to combat insect pests and are also used in large estate crops, for instance, egg parasitoids (Trichogramma spp.) and larval parasitoids (Cotesia flavipes) to combat sugarcane borers. Bumblebees (Bombus spp.) and honeybees (Apis spp.) are reared worldwide to help farmers pollinate crops and fruit orchards.

Hence, it can be concluded that the commercial benefits of insect farming are propelling the growth of the Middle East and Africa edible insects market.

• Suitable alternative to high-cost conventional protein sources

The nutritional values of edible insects are highly variable, not least because of the wide variety of species. Like most foods, preparation and processing methods (for instance, drying, boiling, or frying) applied before consumption will also influence the nutritional composition. Nevertheless, because of their nutritional value, they are still a highly significant food source for human populations. Protein content also depends on the feed (for instance, vegetables, grains, or waste).

Grasshoppers in Nigeria that are fed with bran, which contains high levels of essential fatty acids, have almost double the protein content of those fed on maize. The protein content of insects also depends on the metamorphosis stage. Adults usually have higher protein content than instars.

Hence, the use of insect-based proteins as an alternative to high-cost plant and animal-based proteins is anticipated to propel the market's growth in the forecast period.

Opportunities

• Rising awareness regarding nutritional benefits

A nutritionally balanced diet is essential for the growth, development, and performance of animals; therefore, edible insects are turning out to be a potential nutritional option for a balanced diet. Insect ingredients act as an important source of nutrition for animals, with numerous potential health benefits

The usage of edible insects for animal feed is being considered for rapid and quick nutritional deficiency among animals. This potential utilization also helps in the mass distribution and scalability of animal feed in a short span of time. The edible insects animal feed is also sustainable as they play a major role in making the food chain circular.

However, edible insects are regulated in the same manner as any other food per the FDA informal policy, as insects are subject to food additive regulations which are managed by Generally Recognition of Safety.

Restraints/Challenges

• Increasing major food safety hazards and guidelines

Food safety hazards play an important role in the edible insects market. These stringent rules and regulations are necessary for government approval to ensure the security and safety of humans and the environment. The various or rising food safety hazards from edible insects could be biological, chemical, or physical hazards, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, mycotoxins, pesticides, parasites, and antimicrobials.

Major subsystem participants may favor or be less responsive to stringent guidelines and regulations of the industry when profit levels decrease, as stringent regulation will raise investment and production costs and potentially reduce margins for all farmers or insects cultivators and end users.

However, carrying along issues of safety and the need to establish a new legal framework are set to be ruled among various countries.

Recent Development

• In January 2023, Yensect expanded its Middle East and Africa presence and completed the construction of Ynfarm, the world's biggest insect farm, accelerating its delivery to clients.
• In June 2022, Aspire supported the advancement of insect agriculture through its sponsorship of the Educational Leadership Chair in the Production and Primary Processing of Edible Insects at Université Laval. The company believes this will help them spread awareness regarding edible insects.

Middle East and Africa Edible Insects Market Segmentation

The Middle East and Africa edible insects market is categorized into four notable segments based on insect type, insect category, application, and distribution channel. The growth among segments helps you analyze niche pockets of growth and strategies to approach the market and determine your core application areas and the difference in your target markets.

Insect Type

• Crickets
• Mealworms
• Grasshoppers
• Cicadas
• Black soldier flies
• Silkworms
• Ants
• Buffalo's
• Others

On the basis of insect type, the Middle East and Africa edible insects market is segmented into crickets, mealworms, black soldier flies, buffalo's, grasshoppers, ants, silkworms, cicadas, and others.

Insect category

• Regular Insects
• Premium Diet Fed Insects

On the basis of insect category, the Middle East and Africa edible insects market is segmented into regular insects and premium diet fed insects.

Application

• Human Consumption Products
• Animal Nutrition
• Insect Oil
• Pharmaceuticals
• Cosmetics
• Personal Care
• Others

On the basis of application, the Middle East and Africa edible insects market is segmented into human consumption products, animal nutrition, insect oil, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and personal care, others.

Distribution Channel

• Direct
• Indirect

On the basis of distribution channel, the Middle East and Africa edible insects market is segmented into direct and indirect.

Edible Insects Market Regional Analysis/Insights

The edible insects market is analyzed, and market size insights and trends are provided by insect type, insect category, application, and distribution channel as referenced above.

The countries covered in the Middle East and Africa edible insects market report are South Africa, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, Ethiopia, Qatar, Kuwait, Rest of the Middle East and Africa

In 2023, South Africa is expected to dominate the Middle East and Africa edible insects market due to increasing technological advancement in developing areas.

The country section of the report also provides individual market impacting factors and changes in market regulation that impact the current and future trends of the market. Data points such as downstream and upstream value chain analysis, technical trends, porter's five forces analysis, case studies are some of the pointers used to forecast the market scenario for individual countries. Also, the presence and availability of Middle East and Africa brands and their challenges faced due to large or scarce competition from local and domestic brands, the impact of domestic tariffs, and trade routes are considered while providing forecast analysis of the country data.

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