Protein Market Size, Share and Growth Analysis Report - Forecast Trends and Outlook (2025-2034)

The global protein market size reached around USD 28.40 Billion in 2024. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.10% between 2025 and 2034 to reach nearly USD 46.70 Billion by 2034.

Global Protein Market Growth

The consumption of fresh dairy products worldwide is expected to increase by 1% annually by 2029. India is the world’s largest producer of milk (192 million tons), followed by the European Union (137 million tons), the USA (101 million tons), and New Zealand (22 million tons). Australia (9 million tons) and Argentina (11 million tons) are other major milk producing countries in the world. With growing awareness of health benefits of fresh food consumption, the consumption of milk and dairy-based products is expected to rise significantly, thereby driving the protein market value.

Furthermore, as per the USA’s Dietary Reference Intake (DRI), 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body must be consumed by an average adult to prevent protein deficiency. However, the region of Africa recorded only a 31% increase in protein consumption between 1961 and 2013, which is substantially lower than the growth recorded in other regions, such as in the Caribbean (46%) and Asia (64%). This can be attributed to the low protein supply in the region (69.10 g/capita/day). Today, around 30% of the African population is food insecure and nearly 234 million people are chronically undernourished. This is expected to present exciting protein market opportunities for protein food manufacturers in the region, thereby facilitating market expansion over the forecast period.

Key Trends and Developments

Growth of poultry farming in Africa; increasing demand for microbial proteins; soaring appeal for insect protein; and the rising demand for protein in the USA is expected to drive the protein market value over the forecast period.

October 2024

Chobani, a next-generation company engaged in manufacturing food products and beverages launched a range of high protein Greek yogurt cups formulated with natural ingredients to cater to the rising demand for portable protein.

February 2024

Cargill decided to strengthen its strategic partnership with ENOUGH, a food technology company which specialises in the production of ABUNDA® mycoprotein, to expand its portfolio of plant-based protein rich foods.

October 2023

Cargill inaugurated the European Protein Innovation hub in France to co-create novel protein-rich menus with customers. This is a part of EUR 50 million investment into the production facility in Orleans, which is expected to be renovated by 2025.

January 2020

Memphis Meats (USA) and Aleph Farms (Israel) developed cultured protein-based products from investments made by Cargill, which favourably influenced the protein market development.

Growth of poultry farming in Africa

The growth of Africa’s middle-class population, coupled with its shift towards protein-rich diets has boosted the consumption of eggs among people. This is expected to drive the development of poultry farming industry and contribute to protein market expansion.

Soaring appeal for insect protein

As the demand for alternative and sustainable forms of proteins rises the demand for insect proteins is expected to favourably impact the market growth over the forecast period.

Increasing demand for microbial proteins

As per the protein market analysis, by substituting 20% of ruminant meat consumption with microbial protein, global annual deforestation rates can be reduced by 50%. Moreover, microbial proteins do not require excessive land and water resources, which makes them a sustainable option.

Rising demand for protein in the USA

In 2020, the retail sales of protein supplements in the United States reached USD 9 billion. This can be attributed to the increasing awareness of the health impacts of protein consumption.

Global Protein Market Trends

The continent of Africa accounts for 17.2% of the world’s population and 4.1% of worldwide egg consumption, with average per capita consumption being 44 eggs annually. However, rising awareness of enhancing protein intake is leading to a change in people’s dietary habits. For instance, between 2010 and 2020, the total consumption of eggs in Rwanda surged by 67%. Besides, in 2020, Ghana witnessed a record-high increase in egg production, which reached 51.5 kilotons. By 2029, the demand for eggs is expected to record a double-digit growth, thereby favouring the protein market outlook.

Global Protein Industry Segmentation

The EMR’s report titled “Global Protein Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Source:

• Animal

  

Casein and Caseinates

  

Collagen

  

Gelatin

  

Insect Protein

  

Milk Protein

  

Whey Protein

  

Egg Protein

  

Others

• Plant

  

Hemp Protein

  

Pea Protein

  

Rice Protein

  

Soy Protein

  

Wheat Protein

  

Others

• Microbial

  

Algae Protein

  

Mycoprotein

Market Breakup by End User:

• Animal Feed
• Food and Beverages
• Personal Care and Cosmetics
• Supplements

  

Baby Food and Infant Formula

  

Elderly Nutrition and Medical Nutrition

  

Sport/Performance Nutrition

Market Breakup by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

Global Protein Market Share

Based on region, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. Over the forecast period of 2024-32, the Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% because of rapid urbanisation and increasing rate of population growth in countries such as India. Moreover, the introduction of plant-based protein snacking options is expected to fuel the market growth over the forecast period.

Leading Companies in the Protein Market

Major players are entering into a strategic partnership with small start ups engaged in developing novel protein sources to cater to the increasing demand for cultured protein. This is expected to favour the protein market revenue over the forecast period.

Wilmar International Ltd.

Wilmar International Ltd. was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Singapore. It specialises in the production of grains and oilseeds, consumer products, fertilisers, and specialty fats, among others.

Glanbia Plc

Glanbia Plc was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Kilkenny, Ireland. It specialises in the production of whey proteins, dairy ingredients, milk protein isolates, bio actives, and micronutrient premix solutions, among other products.

Ingredion Inc.

Ingredion Inc. was founded in 1906 and is headquartered in Westchester, Illinois. As per protein market analysis, it specialises in the production of food sweeteners, starches, and animal nutrition products, among others.

Bunge Global SA

Bunge Global SA was founded in 1818 and is headquartered in Missouri, United States. It is engaged in the sustainable production of various food and beverage solutions.

Other major players included in the protein market report are Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., Arla Foods AmbA, Cargill Inc., Kerry Group Plc, Royal FrieslandCampina NV, and Südzucker AG, among others.