Insect Protein Market By Insect Type (Crickets, Mealworms, Black Soldier Fly (BSF), Grasshoppers, Locusts, Beetles, Caterpillars, Bees, Wasps and Ants, Others), By Product Type (Insect flour, Insect burgers, Insect fitness bars, Insect Fertilizer, Insect Oil, Others), By Application (Food & Beverage, Animal Feed, Agricultural Fertilizers, Industrial, Others), By Source of Raw Material (Farming, Wild Harvesting), By Distribution Channel (Online, Offline {Supermarkets, Health Food Stores, Animal Feed Retailers, Others}), Global Market Size, Segmental analysis, Regional Overview, Company share analysis, Leading Company Profiles And Market Forecast, 2025 – 2035

Industry Outlook

The Insect Protein market accounted for USD 0.76 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 10.26 Billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of around 26.7% between 2025 and 2035. The insect protein market is expanding to use insects as a sustainable source of protein for humans and animals, among other things. Moreover, common edible insects such as crickets, mealworms, and black soldier flies are abundant in nutrients like protein, fat, and vitamins.

Consumers' changing consumption habits, which challenge traditional protein sources, particularly meat sourced from animals, make insect-based proteins more acceptable. This development is revolutionizing the market by increasing insect farming technology, receiving government approvals, and changing consumer preferences for alternative proteins. Insects are considered the better option as they require less water, land, and feed than conventional meat production.

Report Scope:

Market Dynamics

Insects require less land, water, and feed than livestock.

The insect protein market is driven by the increased need for protein sources that are sustainable, efficient, have a minimum environmental impact, and use limited resources. Insects consume far fewer of these inputs than typical cattle, making them more environmentally benign in terms of feed conversion. Furthermore, insects have high feed conversion ratios, allowing them to develop quickly with limited requirements. The growing global population and the resulting demand for protein sources add to the ever-increasing demand for protein sources other than animal protein. Insects also hold a variety of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.

It is internationally recognized, with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) encouraging the use of insect protein to feed the world's expanding population. In 2020, the FAO claimed that insects produce up to 2000 times more protein per hectare than cattle, indicating their role in future food systems.

Increased food demand drives the need for scalable protein alternatives.

The insect protein market is driven by the increasing global population, which implies a need for safe, nutritious, and ecologically acceptable protein sources. Land usage, water scarcity, and high levels of greenhouse gas emissions are all ongoing issues in traditional livestock raising. Insects require less land, water, and feed than meat produced by cattle, sheep, and pigs, making them the finest protein source. The continued emphasis on food safety and the need for several protein sources are driving the expansion of predicted pulses. Hodgson further stated that when people learn more about the nutritional value of insect protein, including important amino acids and minerals, their consumption increases.

Innovation in fly farming and usage methods is boosting prospects for economies of scale, lowering production costs, and increasing customer attractiveness for insects. Further, there is growing regulatory support in some markets for the establishment of acceptable market conditions. Trends such as the adoption of plant-based diets and nutritious meals and the openness to explore new foods are key drivers of insect protein market growth. Because of growing worldwide concern about the sustainability of food and protein supplies, insects are gradually establishing themselves as an important source of protein in the future.

Strict regulations hinder insect protein adoption and commercialization globally.

Global regulations limit the use and marketing of insect protein products. However, regulatory regimes usually require insect protein makers to undertake further testing and certification, which is both costly and time-consuming. The ubiquity of expectations across different areas creates problems for trade and insect protein market expansion. There is also a cultural issue to consider, as the bulk of the populace in many Western countries lacks experience and comfort with eating bugs.

Entomophagy is rarely included in a country's regulatory framework, making it more difficult to gain a yes from the regulatory lens. Moreover, the environmental impact of insect farming operations, which are frequently portrayed as eco-friendly, is weighed against the regulators' environmental concerns. Scale complicates the challenge of employing insect proteins in food production, particularly in terms of technical aspects and logistics.

Combining insect protein with plant-based foods targets the flexitarian market

The insect protein market has considerable potential when paired with plant-based foods to meet the needs of a growing flexitarian clientele. As more people choose plant-based diets yet occasionally consume animal products, mixing insect protein and plant-based protein naturally delivers a healthy, green, sustainable, high-protein diet. Insects are a good source of protein, especially vital vitamins and amino acids, and are projected to justify and supplement existing recession-tattered plant proteins such as soy and pea protein. Furthermore, they require less space and water and feed more efficiently than animals, resulting in environmental benefits.

As there is a growing demand for sustainable food alternatives, insect protein is projected to be increasingly used as an ingredient in protein bars, snacks, and meat substitutes. Given the busy customers who want to fulfill a healthy and environmental concern with a variety of ethical proteins, such a dual demand for nutrition and sustainability is even more pronounced. With growing awareness and acceptance, insect protein products are well-positioned to answer the flexitarian's demand for novel and creative food that is environmentally friendly.

Food manufacturers can expand insect protein adoption through collaborations.

Food manufacturer takes advantage of the insect protein market's potential in their search for healthy and sustainable meat alternatives. This is accomplished through collaboration with insect farming firms, which is becoming popular. Consumers want these products from the manufacturers who already supply them. Insects are more efficiently farmed than animals since they need less land, water, and feed. Efforts can also be directed toward the creation of new products, such as insect protein snacks, plant-based meat alternatives, and even insect-based pet food.

Moreover, such strategic alliances can help alleviate legal difficulties while also persuading individuals to accept them. Insect protein production enables food producers to keep up with seasonal fluctuations. Production technology is projected to improve, lowering costs. Furthermore, such collaborations provide extra functionality, which is critical in the manufacture and dissemination of insect protein, making it a viable ingredient. There is tremendous growth potential, particularly in countries with large populations who desire to consume environmentally friendly protein sources and encourage food security programs.

Industry Experts Opinion

"Insect protein offers a viable solution to the global protein deficit. Its production requires significantly less land and water compared to conventional livestock, making it an environmentally friendly option."

• Dr. Maxine Sharps, Food Scientist at University of Cambridge.

"Insects are rich in essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Incorporating insect protein into diets can address nutritional deficiencies, especially in regions facing food scarcity."

• Dr. Lauren McGale, Nutritionist at Harvard School of Public Health.

Segment Analysis

Based on the insect type, the Insect Protein Market is classified into Crickets, Mealworms, Black Soldier Fly (BSF), Grasshoppers, Locusts, Beetles, Caterpillars, Bees, Wasps and Ants, and Others. The black soldier fly (BSF) is the most important segment of the insect protein market. The larvae of BSF are becoming well known on account of their rapid growth, high protein content, and ability to feed on organic waste, which makes their use in animal-source protein sustainable and easier to make economically feasible. This area is critical in animal feed production since BSF protein is used in aquaculture, poultry feed, and pet food. The increasing concern about food production efficiency and BSF's effective utilization of organic waste in protein production has seen increased growth in the insect protein market.

Based on the product type, the Insect Protein Market is classified into Insect flour, Insect burgers, Insect fitness bars, Insect Fertilizer, Insect Oil, and Others. Insect flour is the largest segment in the insect protein market. Insect flour is best recognized as an environmentally friendly protein-enriched ingredient used in animal feeds and pet foods, but it is also becoming more popular in human food products such as baked goods and protein-laced snacks. Its diversity in application, availability, and nutritional content make it the most popular product on the market today.

Insect powder obtained from primarily mealworms, crickets, and black soldier flies is also on the rise in the food sector because of the increase in people looking for alternative protein sources. With concerns about sustainability developing, the demand for insect mass stems is expected to rise further, solidifying its dominant position in the insect protein market.

Regional Analysis

The European insect protein market is expanding due to the demand for sustainable protein sources and alternatives to address environmental concerns and the current vegetarian trend. Consumer attitudes regarding edible insects are shifting in Europe, with powdered proteins, snacks, and animal feeds among the items aligned with the region's environmental goals. The edible insect market is expanding in countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, where more new and existing businesses are involved in insect breeding, processing, and marketing.

The market has profited from the incorporation of insect proteins into diets because of the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) regulatory push, which permitted the sale of a variety of bug species for human consumption. The harsh realities of the food security problem or the environmental sustainability of animal husbandry in general, are fueling the increase of insect protein in Europe's story.

The North American insect protein market is growing, owing to rising consumer concern about animal-friendly protein sources, increased protein detestation, and the negative impacts of conventional animal husbandry. The United States and Canada have the greatest markets, and demand for insect-derived protein is increasing in various areas, including animal feed, food items, and nutritional goods.

Crickets and mealworms stand out as they are high in protein and have a minimal carbon impact. Furthermore, the advent of alternative protein sources for pets and animals, such as those generated from insects, has piqued the interest of welfare-conscious consumers. The regulations also include provisions that improve food safety and, in some cases, support market expansion. There is an investment in this industry that encourages additional firms to enter the insect protein market, adding value through diverse food products that employ insect protein.

Competitive Landscape

The insect protein market is expanding as people seek environmentally friendly protein sources for use in livestock, marine farming, and human diets. The most charismatic players are Ynsect, Protix, and AgriProtein, which have achieved substantial progress in large-scale insect production, particularly Black Soldier Fly larvae and mealworms. Ynsect, an insect protein maker, has expanded its production facilities in France, making it one of the world's largest producers.

Protix has also secured significant funding to expand its operations and increase manufacturing efficiency. Aspire Food Group and Exo Protein are revolutionizing the human food market by including crickets in their products in response to consumer interest in protein snacks. With sustainability at the forefront, more businesses are increasing their insect farming, waste to protein, and supply chain operations to solve food security challenges.

Insect Protein Market, Company Shares Analysis, 2024

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Recent Developments:

• In October 2023, Tyson Foods, a major meat producer in the United States, announced an investment in Protix, a Dutch company that specializes in insect additives. The collaboration included the creation of a plant in the United States that used animal waste to breed black soldier flies. These insects were processed into food for pets, poultry, and fish.

Report Coverage:

By Insect Type

• Crickets
• Mealworms
• Black Soldier Fly (BSF)
• Grasshoppers
• Locusts
• Beetles
• Caterpillars
• Bees
• Wasps and Ants
• Others

By Product Type

• Insect Flour
• Insect Burgers
• Insect Fitness Bars
• Insect Fertilizer
• Insect Oil
• Others

By Application

• Food & Beverage
• Animal Feed
• Agricultural Fertilizers
• Industrial
• Others

By Source of Raw Material

• Farming
• Wild Harvesting

By Distribution Channel

• Online
• Offline
  • Supermarkets
  • Health Food Stores
  • Animal Feed Retailers
  • Others

By Region

North America

• U.S.
• Canada

Europe

• U.K.
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• Australia
• South Korea
• Singapore
• Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Mexico
• Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

• GCC Countries
• South Africa
• Rest of Middle East & Africa

List of Companies:

• Ynsect
• Protix
• AgriProtein
• Enterra Feed Corporation
• Fair Insects
• Insectta
• Tegus
• Protenga
• Exo Protein
• Cricket One
• Beta Hatch
• NextProtein
• Aspire Food Group
• Jimini’s
• Six Foods

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)