Global Insect Protein Market – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2031

Global Insect Protein Market, By Source (Coleoptera and Orthoptera), Insect Type (Beetles, Caterpillars, Bees, Wasps and Ants, Grasshoppers, Locusts, Crickets, True Bugs, Black Soldier Flies, Cicadas, Leafhoppers, Plant Hoppers, Scale Insects, Termites, Dragonflies, Flies, Mealworms, and Others), Application (Food and Beverage, Feed, and Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics), Distribution Channels (Direct and Indirect) – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2031.

Insect Protein Market Analysis and Size

The insect protein market experiences remarkable growth due to its eco-friendly profile and nutritional richness. Innovations in processing techniques have diversified product offerings, such as insect protein powder and bars, attracting health-conscious consumers. In addition, insects' sustainability advantage, requiring less land and water than traditional livestock, underscores their potential as an efficient and ethical protein source in the market.

For instance, in November 2020, Innova Feed partnered with Archer Daniels Midland Company, a major player in agribusiness, to bolster its insect protein venture. They plan to establish a new facility in Illinois, U.S., with a projected annual production capacity of 60,000 tons, aiming to meet the growing demand for sustainable protein sources.

Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the global insect protein market size was valued at USD 845.41 million in 2023, is projected to reach USD 4,943.11 million by 2031, with a CAGR of 24.7% during the forecast period 2024 to 2031. In addition to the insights on market scenarios such as market value, growth rate, segmentation, geographical coverage, and major players, the market reports curated by the Data Bridge Market Research also include in-depth expert analysis, geographically represented company-wise production and capacity, network layouts of distributors and partners, detailed and updated price trend analysis and deficit analysis of supply chain and demand.

Report Scope and Market Segmentation       

Market Definition

Insect protein is derived from insects, such as crickets, mealworms, and grasshoppers, which are rich sources of essential amino acids. Recognized for its sustainability and nutritional value, insect protein offers a viable alternative to traditional protein sources. It is increasingly embraced in various food products, contributing to eco-friendly and innovative dietary choices worldwide.

Insect Protein Market Dynamics

Drivers

• Nutritional Benefits of Insect Protein

Insects offer rich nutritional benefits, packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals essential for human health. They provide vital amino and fatty acids, contributing to a balanced diet. Processed into powders or bars, they become convenient and accessible sources of nutrition, offering versatility in meeting dietary needs and preferences.

For instance, bug protein offers a high-quality complete protein source, rich in essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. As an alternative to traditional protein sources, it promotes sustainability and environmental conservation, driving growth in the insect protein market as consumers seek nutritious and eco-friendly dietary options.

• Increasing Population and Food Demand

With the increasing global population, the demand for protein-rich food rises. Insect protein emerges as a viable solution due to its nutritional value and efficient production methods, offering a sustainable solution to food security challenges. With high protein content and minimal resource requirements, insects offer a sustainable alternative to traditional livestock farming, meeting the rising demand for protein in a resource-constrained world.

Opportunities

• Growing Acceptance and Awareness among Consumer

Increasing awareness of insect protein's nutritional and environmental advantages fosters greater consumer acceptance. This trend is bolstered by the availability of insect-based food items in mainstream markets, fueling market expansion. As consumers become more informed about the benefits, the demand for insect protein products continues to rise, driving growth in the market.

For instance, food companies are incorporating insect-based ingredients into their products, offering consumers nutritious and eco-friendly alternatives, thereby driving the expansion of the insect protein market worldwide.

• Growing Animal Welfare Concerns

Growing awareness of animal welfare issues prompts consumers to seek cruelty-free protein sources. Insect protein emerges as an ethical alternative to traditional livestock farming, aligning with consumers' values. This trend drives demand for insect protein as a sustainable and humane option, meeting the needs of ethically conscious consumers in the market.

Restraints/Challenges

• Cultural Resistance Impact Growth

Cultural resistance poses a significant barrier to the insect protein market. In many societies, insects are not culturally accepted as food, leading to deep-seated taboos and aversions. Convincing people to incorporate insect protein into their diets challenges deeply ingrained cultural norms, hindering widespread market adoption and growth.   

• Growing Allergy Concerns among Consumer

Allergen concerns pose a significant challenge for the insect protein market. Common allergies to insects necessitate meticulous labeling and risk management to ensure consumer safety and market acceptance. Unresolved issues may impede insect protein acceptance as a sustainable food option.

This market report provides details of new recent developments, trade regulations, import-export analysis, production analysis, value chain optimization, market share, impact of domestic and localized market players, analyses opportunities in terms of emerging revenue pockets, changes in market regulations, strategic market growth analysis, market size, category market growths, application niches and dominance, product approvals, product launches, geographic expansions, technological innovations in the market. To gain more info on the market contact Data Bridge Market Research for an Analyst Brief, our team will help you take an informed market decision to achieve market growth.

Recent Development

• In April 2022, Global Bugs formed a strategic alliance with Innovative Natural Solutions to jointly promote, support, manufacture, and distribute nutritious food items integrating plant-based components and crickets
• In February 2022, marked Innovafeed's collaboration with ADM, offering black soldier fly protein to develop high-quality, nutritious pet food with a reduced carbon footprint
• In December 2021, Neo Bites launched the first line of functional dog food toppers crafted from insect protein, aiming to enhance dog health and foster environmental sustainability in the pet food industry
• In November 2021, Ÿnsect debuted Bernie’s, an ultra-premium dog feed luxury brand in the U.S. market, in partnership with Pure Simple True LLC

Impact and Current Market Scenario of Raw Material Shortage and Shipping Delays

Data Bridge Market Research offers a high-level analysis of the market and delivers information by keeping in account the impact and current market environment of raw material shortage and shipping delays. This translates into assessing strategic possibilities, creating effective action plans, and assisting businesses in making important decisions.

Apart from the standard report, we also offer in-depth analysis of the procurement level from forecasted shipping delays, distributor mapping by region, commodity analysis, production analysis, price mapping trends, sourcing, category performance analysis, supply chain risk management solutions, advanced benchmarking, and other services for procurement and strategic support.

Expected Impact of Economic Slowdown on the Pricing and Availability of Products

When economic activity slows, industries begin to suffer. The forecasted effects of the economic downturn on the pricing and accessibility of the products are taken into account in the market insight reports and intelligence services provided by DBMR. With this, our clients can typically keep one step ahead of their competitors, project their sales and revenue, and estimate their profit and loss expenditures.

Insect Protein Market Scope

The market is segmented on the basis of source, insect type, application, and distribution channel. The growth amongst these segments will help you analyze meagre growth segments in the industries and provide the users with a valuable market overview and market insights to help them make strategic decisions for identifying core market applications.

Source

• Coleoptera
• Orthoptera

 Insect Type

• Beetles
• Caterpillars
• Bees
• Wasps and Ants
• Grasshoppers
• Locusts
• Crickets
• True Bugs
• Black Soldier Flies
• Cicadas
• Leafhoppers
• Plant Hoppers
• Scale Insects
• Termites
• Dragonflies
• Flies
• Mealworms
• Others

 Application

• Food and Beverage
• Feed
• Pharmaceuticals
• Cosmetics

 Distribution Channels

• Direct
• Indirect

Insect Protein Market Regional Analysis/Insights

The market is analysed and market size insights and trends are provided by country, source, insect type, application, and distribution channel as referenced above.

The countries covered in the market report are U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Denmark, Italy, U.K., France, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, New Zealand, Vietnam, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, South Africa, Rest of Middle East and Africa.

Asia-Pacific region is expected to dominate the insect protein market, maintaining supremacy due to increased beer demand and rising disposable income. This trend is anticipated to persist throughout the forecast period, driving growth in the region's insect protein sector.

North America is expected to grow rapidly in the insect protein market due to increasing popularity of new flavors and the region's growing number of microbreweries with large volumetric production.

The country section of the report also provides individual market impacting factors and changes in regulation in the market domestically that impacts the current and future trends of the market. Data points like down-stream and upstream value chain analysis, technical trends and 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 global brands and their challenges faced due to large or scarce competition from local and domestic brands, impact of domestic tariffs and trade routes are considered while providing forecast analysis of the country data.

Competitive Landscape and Insect Protein Market Share Analysis

The market competitive landscape provides details by competitor. Details included are company overview, company financials, revenue generated, market potential, investment in research and development, new market initiatives, global presence, production sites and facilities, production capacities, company strengths and weaknesses, product launch, product width and breadth, application dominance. The above data points provided are only related to the companies' focus related to market.

Some of the major players operating in the market are:

• Aspire Food Group (U.S.)
•  EntomoFarms (Canada)
•  Protifarm (Netherlands)
•  Jimini’s (U.K.)
•  Chapul Cricket Protein (U.S.)
•  Swarm Nutrition GmbH (Germany)
•  AgriProtein Holdings Ltd. (South Africa)
•  EnviroFlight LLC (U.S.)
•  Innovafeed (France)
•  Ÿnsect (France)
•  Hexafly (Ireland)
•  Protix (Netherlands)
• All Things Bugs, LLC (U.S.)