Animal Feed Insect Protein Market Size

Animal Feed Insect Protein Market Size

Animal Feed Insect Protein Market size achieved USD 587.56 million in 2023 and will grow at 7.3% CAGR from 2024 to 2032. The use of insect proteins in animal feed has gained traction as a sustainable and high-quality alternative to traditional protein sources such as soy and fishmeal. Insects, particularly black soldier fly larvae and mealworms, are rich in protein, essential amino acids, and other nutrients crucial for animal nutrition.

To get key market trends

  Download Free Sample

The animal feed insect protein market is primarily driven by the growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly protein sources. Insects present a high-protein, resource-efficient alternative to conventional animal feeds, directly addressing concerns over resource depletion and greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional livestock farming. Their rapid growth rates, minimal land requirements, and efficient feed conversion ratios further bolster their attractiveness. Moreover, with regulatory backing and technological strides in insect farming, production and adoption rates are surging. This positions insect protein as a compelling solution to fulfill livestock nutritional needs while lessening the ecological impact of animal agriculture.
 

For instance, as per the OECD/FAO projection, global pork demand is set to rise from 110.5 million metric tons during 2019-2021 to 128.9 million metric tons in 2031. This increase in pork demand drives the growing need for high-quality animal feed, pushing the animal feed insect protein market forward. As traditional protein sources face sustainability challenges, alternative proteins such as insect meal, are becoming crucial to meet the nutritional requirements of swine efficiently.
 

Innovation and technological strides are propelling the market forward. Researchers are crafting optimized insect farming systems, incorporating technologies for automated feeding and harvesting. Genetic selection advancements are yielding insect strains with enhanced growth rates and nutritional benefits. Processing techniques have seen improvements, such as bioengineering methods that boost protein extraction and quality, making insect protein increasingly appealing for feed uses. Furthermore, innovations in waste-to-feed technologies champion sustainable practices, turning organic waste into premium insect protein and bolstering circular economy principles in agriculture.
 

For instance, in February 2022, aquafeed insect producer InnovaFeed announced strategic partnership with ADM Petfood to pioneer large scale commercialization of insect protein in pet food in the U.S..This partnership followed the introduction of the U.S. regulation allowing the adoption of black soldier flies in foods for dogs, pioneering the commercialization of quality insect ingredients in the U.S. market. This initiative will enable the company to develop a strong footprint in the global market.
 

High production costs and limited technology and infrastructure pose significant challenges in the market. Insect farming requires specialized facilities, such as climate-controlled environments and advanced waste management systems, which are expensive to establish and maintain. Additionally, current technology for efficient large-scale insect cultivation and processing is still developing, leading to higher costs and inefficiencies compared to traditional feed sources. Limited infrastructure, such as inadequate supply chains and processing capabilities, further exacerbates these issues, hindering the widespread adoption of insect protein. These factors contribute to higher prices and slow market growth, limiting its competitiveness against conventional feed ingredients.