Insect Protein Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Ants, Crickets, Silkworms, Cicadas, Mealworms, Grasshoppers & Black Soldier Flies), By Application (Human Consumption, Animal Nutrition & Cosmetics and Pharmaceutical), and Regional Insight and Forecast to 2032

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INSECT PROTEIN MARKET OVERVIEW

The global Insect Protein market size was USD 0.12 billion was 2024 and will touch USD 0.75 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 25.2% during the forecast period.

The insect protein market is a growing global market that has gained demand due to the increasing need for healthy protein sources for nutrition. Insect protein, also known as entomoprotein, obtained from species such as crickets, grasshoppers, and mealworms, is a highly nutritious protein source containing amino and fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Compared to the norm, livestock production of this product consumes much more resources, hence making it better for the environment. They extend across food and feeds, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. The uptick in the consciousness of environmental stewardship and global food security concerns is driving its usage. The market is expected to grow at a healthy pace of growth because more and more people are accepting this market across the world.

COVID-19 IMPACT

"Insect Protein Industry Initially Had a Negative Effect but Eventually Accelerated Due to Increased Interest in Sustainable Protein Alternatives during COVID-19 Pandemic"

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the market experiencing higher-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden market growth reflected by the rise in CAGR is attributable to the market’s growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels.

The effect of COVID-19 on the insect protein market wasn’t entirely negative. Despite the existence of the supply chain disruptions and production constraints that impacted the availability of insect-based products, the pandemic enhanced the consumer awareness of sustainable and novel protein sources. The sophistication of innovative environmental or medical advantages supported the market advancement in this period. Numerous industries devised and developed newer products to meet this rising consumer pull. Opportunities Such opportunities as mobility allowed by e-commerce platforms made accessibility to insect protein products better. Nevertheless, the preliminary analysis of market development showed its capability and readiness for future expansion.

LATEST TREND

"Market growth is driven by pet food demand, specialization, and improved insect farming"

Several emerging trends are currently observed in the insect protein market; this includes the utilization of insect protein in pet food products. The key force behind it is the increasing interest in vegan and healthy food, which is better than animal products. Specialization is another trend that is being witnessed in the market by companies innovating insect-based commercial pet foods with certain specialties in their recommended nutritional requirements. Also, development in the practices used for rearing insects for human consumption and ways of processing them has improved on the standard and affected the possibility of scaling up production. The use of insect protein in snacks and functional foods is also on the rise, but with pet food acting as the key growth stimulator.

INSECT PROTEIN MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type

Based on Type, the global market can be categorized into Ants, Crickets, Silkworms, Cicadas, Mealworms, Grasshoppers & Black Soldier Flies

• Ants: A sustainable source of protein, ants are well known for their potent nutritional value. It is found in specialty food products like protein bars, snacks, and gourmet foods and beverages. Its cultivating is environmentally suitable, or rather, it has less effect on the environment as compared to other livestock. Special interest in the consumption of exotic foods and environmentally friendly protein sources has seen consumers develop interest and demand for ants.

• Crickets: Crickets take positions among the topmost favorite bugs in the protein market due to their protein and essential amino acid content. Cricket powder is added to protein bars, shakes, and biscuits, and it is utilized extensively as a protein-rich supplement in other foods. They are very friendly to both water and space, hence a better option as a protein source than the traditional ones. The growth of this market is attributed to increasing consumer preference towards products based on cricket across the world.

• Silkworms: Silkworms are proving to be a flexible protein option in terms of demand, especially in the Asian region. They’re packed with protein and good fat and are consumed in the form of powders or directly in the form of whole insects. The products that are derived from this family include silk protein, which is used extensively in cosmetics and functional foods. New studies on the appropriate amount of nutrients they contain are growing their popularity within the international market.

• Cicadas: Cicadas are considered special, seasonal insects used as a food source, which serves as protein to many cultures. Nutritionally, they are good products for the health-conscious market because they contain proteins and very little fat. This has made it possible to process cicadas into snacks as well as meal ingredients because of the advancement in the food industry. Thus, the awareness of the sustainability advantages has potential for further development even if their use is limited to special niches.

• Mealworms: Mealworms are perhaps one of the most commonly used insect proteins, especially in the making of flours and powders. Due to their bland profile and balance of protein, they can be used in all food sectors, such as in bakery and pet food. Actually, farming of mealworms is one of the most efficient in terms of water, feed, and land practices. The increase in regulatory clearances in areas such as Europe is actually propelling their market access.

• Grasshoppers: Locusts have been food from the ancient Egyptians to the present day, and these insects are being noticed worldwide today as a sustainable source of protein. It is usually marketed as a roasted commodity for snacking or in the form of protein products. Organic and low in cholesterol but having a good amount of protein, grasshoppers can be marketed to healthy and conscious consumers. Technological advancements in farming are promoting their standard production and availability in the markets.

• Black Soldier Flies: Black soldier flies are commonly used in animal feed and pet food but are recently increasingly used in human diets. Its larvae are chock-full of protein, fats, and minerals, making them a truly renewable source of protein. BSFs are also used for waste recycling to enhance their environmentally friendly characteristics. As more capital is invested in the development of the BSF farming, so their market opportunities are growing ceaselessly.

By Application

Based on application, the global market can be categorized into Human Consumption, Animal Nutrition & Cosmetics and Pharmaceutical

• Human Consumption: Edible insect protein is slowly becoming popular, as the food source is nutritionally dense and environmentally friendly. Biotic products like protein bars, snacks, and flours are adding insect ingredients to allure health-conscious customers. Its production hence uses far less water, land, and feed than normal livestock of similar farming type. As consumers adopt more innovative protein sources, the insect-based food products are likely to increase in consumption across the world.

• Animal Nutrition: Insect protein has a lot of applications in animal feeds, especially in fish feed, poultry feeds, and nutritious pet foods. Due to its well-digested nature and good amino acid composition, it can be used as a substitute for fishmeal and processed soybean meal. The aquaculture sector is steadily expanding, and producers seek insect-based feed sources. Yet, cost efficiency and sustainability make this approach even more appealing for the animal feed segment.

• Cosmetics and Pharmaceutical: Protein extracted from insects is being used in cosmetics and in the pharmaceutical industries to treat diseases resulting from the bioactive insect compounds and proteinaceous characteristics. Currently, it is applied in creams for handling skin aging, moisturizers, and shampoos due to the promotion of collagen synthesis and skin nutrients. Furthermore, it has pronounced antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, which are utilized in the pharmaceutical industry. This research also indicates that the desire to achieve sustainability and create new products is forcing its implementation in these industries.

MARKET DYNAMICS

Market dynamics include driving and restraining factors, opportunities and challenges stating the market conditions.

Driving Factor

"Market growth is driven by eco-friendly food alternatives"

With the growth of population all over the world, people look for the sources of food that will replace traditional animal farming, which is not very environmentally friendly, which in turn benefits Insect Protein Market Growth. There are advantages of using insect protein due to its efficiency, as it sparingly demands land, water, and feed. In addition, it also emits fewer greenhouse gases than livestock do. Thus, insect protein is an attractive offer for customers who are eco-friendly and companies with concerns for the adverse impact on the environment.

"Market growth is driven by health-conscious consumers seeking nutrition"

Plenty of essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals can be obtained from this insect protein; hence, it is considered to be very nutritional. It is stated that it is easily digested and also contains better nutritional properties than some plant protein. The consumer’s increased concern about their health and physique due to the popularization of a healthy diet is pushing people to look for a protein-based substitute such as insects. This trend is seen most sharply among athletes, bodybuilders, those interested in their health, and the public in general looking for more natural sources of proteins.

Restraining Factor

"Cultural resistance to insect consumption poses a challenge for market growth"

A major threat for the insect protein market is the general attitude crisis of the society regarding the consumption of insects. However, the idea of consuming insects turns off many people in the Western markets or even creates culture shock among them. It does so because the subject exhibits considerable hesitance to the adoption of new types of foods and food sources. This is a culture that can only be greatly addressed by public sensitization, enhancement of awareness, and development of new products from insect proteins.

Opportunity

"Market growth is driven by sustainability, technology, and adoption"

The insect protein market has significant growth prospects primarily due to the growing requirement of protected compound protein. It is crucial to mention that while concern over the effect of a traditional model of animal farming on the environment grows, insects’ protein has a more sustainable approach. Adoption may, however, be boosted by increased uptake of plant-based foods and culturally transformed methods of sourcing for food. Also, expansion in the technologies used in insect protein food items for human and livestock consumption will help boost the market more. This trend is expected to gain more momentum, especially in the future years across the different emerging economies.

Challenge

"Customer acceptance and regulatory hurdles hinder market growth"

The major factor hindering the insect protein market is called customer acceptance. In spite of this, the public gives a wide berth to insect-based products in their diets because of cultural values and the concept of “yuck.” However, regulatory hurdles that are still present concerning the approval of insects as human food are sure to hinder the growth of the market. Resolving the above problem is not easy, but the market also experiences challenges in ascertaining increased production to correspond with demand. These challenges have to be overcome if insect protein is to become the next generation mainstream protein food source.

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INSECT PROTEIN MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

• North America

"North America leads market growth with investment and innovation"

North America holds the largest Insect Protein Market Share as it has started adopting insects as a protein source in foods and also has cutting-edge infrastructure, meaning improved technology. The region offers a strong academic research base and high purchase frequency. A lot of input is provided by the USA, which invests significantly in market growth through startups and developments in insect-based food and feed production. The United States insect protein market is backed up by the consistent efforts towards investing in environmentally friendly proteins. All these factors make North America dominate the market and provide further opportunities for development.

• Europe

"Europe’s market growth is driven by regulatory support and sustainability"

Europe holds considerable potential in the insect protein market because of its favorable regulatory landscape for novel protein sources and sustainable food innovation. Thanks to its willingness to accept new tastes, Europe represents a strong ally of the insect protein market. Previously, insect proteins were not considered market-approved, but the approval of the European Union made it legal to use them for animal feed. Also, insect protein fits well into the European consumer’s demand for sustainable proteins, with insects being the new food trend product that consumers are ready to buy. It is also inhabited by several essential insect protein industries specializing in food development and commercialization. These factors make Europe an influential market for insect protein in the global market.

• Asia

"Asia's market growth driven by cultural practices and awareness"

Asia is seen to have a particularly important position in the insect protein market because selective residents of the continent have been using insects in their diet for a long time, such as the Thais, Chinese, and Indians. An increase in consumer awareness of environmentally friendly products has created market momentum for insect protein in the region, especially for human and animal consumption. As Latin America, Asia is also a significant market with a large population, and the emphasis on food security will propel insect protein production to the next level. Second, there are several different startups from Asia experimenting with insect farming and protein extraction. This trend proves the international development of insect-based protein.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

"New technologies and product diversification are driving market growth"

Some of the major industry market players operating in the global insect protein market, including Protix, Ynsect, and Aspire Food Group, are going a long way in the deployment of new and sustainable technologies for farming and also the diversification of their product offerings. These firms are aiming at developing good-quality protein for human and animal consumption, hence encouraging the marketization of insect protein. Moreover, they are informing the leading food manufacturers, researchers, and agricultural firms on the need to scale up the use of insect protein. Many of the initiatives aimed at enhancing productivity and increasing the size of production are defining the development of the insect protein market.

List of Top Insect Protein Companies

• Proti-Farm (Netherlands)
• Entomo Farms (U.S.)
• JR Unique Foods (Thailand)
• Enviro Flight (U.S.)
• Aspire Food Group (U.S.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

November, 2023: Aspire Food Group, one of the key market players, teamed up with a large food producer, Maple Leaf Foods in order to increase its output of insect protein. That means the partnership is designed to help to address a constantly rising demand for more and more sustainable protein sources in the food and beverage market. From this partnership, new complex and specialized facilities for insect farming and protein extraction to serve both humans and animals are developed with the accent on production enhancement. The deal should help drive high growth for the insect protein market, especially in the North American region.

REPORT COVERAGE

The study encompasses a comprehensive SWOT analysis and provides insights into future developments within the market. It examines various factors that contribute to the growth of the market, exploring a wide range of market categories and potential applications that may impact its trajectory in the coming years. The analysis takes into account both current trends and historical turning points, providing a holistic understanding of the market's components and identifying potential areas for growth.

This research report examines the segmentation of the market by using both quantitative and qualitative methods to provide a thorough analysis that also evaluates the influence of strategic and financial perspectives on the market. Additionally, the report's regional assessments consider the dominant supply and demand forces that impact market growth. The competitive landscape is detailed meticulously, including shares of significant market competitors. The report incorporates unconventional research techniques, methodologies and key strategies tailored for the anticipated frame of time. Overall, it offers valuable and comprehensive insights into the market dynamics professionally and understandably.