Insect-based Ingredients Market Size - By Type, By Application, Forecast, 2025 - 2034

Insect-based Ingredients Market Size

The global insect-based ingredients market size was valued at USD 1.9 billion in 2024, with expectations to reach USD 4.5 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 9.2%. The market has consistently grown over the years due to increase in demand for insect-derived products in food and feed has evolved from an area of minor interest to a burgeoning market opportunity. The consumption of insects was confined to certain cultures, but as ecological concerns highlighted the need for alternative protein sources, it has surged globally.
 

The ecological consequences of animal agriculture, including greenhouse gas emissions, water and land consumption, is being actively scrutinized. Insects as a source of protein is much more economical than other resources since they require minimal feed and yield large amounts of protein.
 

This value proposition is ideal in the context of the food and feed industries, especially with the rising population and protein needs. A positive shift in acceptance of insect-based foods is also attributed to consumers growing interest in well-balanced diets and products marketed as ethically sourced due to the perception of insects as nutritionally dense.
 

There is assistance from governments and food authorities for R&D in this area, thus increasing the innovations in processing and product development. Apart from these, there is growing demand for the use of insects in pet and aquaculture feeds, as well as functional foods, which is broadening the scope of insects in the market.
 

According to reports released by Science Open, various legal regulations around the world govern the production and marketing of edible insects. According to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 of the European Parliament and of the Council, edible insects and their parts were regarded a novel food, since they were “not used for human consumption to a significant degree within the Union before 15 May 1997”. The new regulation, applicable as of January 1, 2018, facilitates the introduction of innovative foods like edible insects to the EU market, while maintaining a high level of food safety.
 

Despite facing challenges like social pushback and regulatory hurdles, the broader movement geared towards sustainable food systems still acknowledges the importance of insect-based food products as essential constituents of contemporary diets.
 

Insect-based Ingredients Market Trends

New technological innovations: The cultivation of the market for insect-derived components is being influenced by a merger of new developments which shifts in technology, policy, and consumer activity or spending. The main driving force in this area is the improvement of insect farming and processing technologies. The development of technologies, such as automated rearing systems and precision feeding modules, alongside more effective drying techniques, is radically improving scalability and consistency of the produced goods, while also decreasing the costs of production.
 

These developments ease the incorporation of insect based ingredients into food, feed, and other functional products by the manufacturers. Moreover, the policies are systematically changing to promote the commercialization of products that are insect based. With several regional food safety authorities issuing guidelines and approvals for certain species of insects to be regarded as food, companies are broadening their offerings.
 

Clarity in such policies enables better trust amongst the consumers and retailers as well. The third trend is the shift in expectations of consumers, more so from the side of the eco-friendly and health-oriented consumers.
 

Rise in consumer awareness: The consumers are becoming more amenable to new sources of raw protein, like insect proteins, that are sustainable and rich in nutrients because of the environmental impacts of traditional animal farming. Another noteworthy shift is that of product innovation and diversification.
 

According to instances from Frontier, there are more than 2,100 species of edible insects, most of which are found in tropical countries. Besides, they cause less environmental impact since they produce lesser greenhouse gases and require lesser amounts of land for their production compared to other sources of animal proteins. Due to its high reproduction rate, the scale production of insect-based foods would not impact biodiversity. Consuming insect-based foods brings several nutritional benefits, such as calcium, vitamins, minerals, fibers, and high levels of proteins and iron, hence resulting in growth of market.
 

Entomophagy encompasses a wide variety of insects which can now be found as ingredients in snack bars, protein powders, and even cosmetics. There has been a notable increase in the acceptance of insect-based ingredients across multiple industries such as aquaculture, pet food, and even fertilizers.
 

Wrapping identity and other concepts as marketing techniques through storytelling have been critical in altering brand perception alongside narratives on sustainability and low processing, which firms leverage to market their products. These shifts have enabled brands to deepen their bonds with consumers. The previously described trends enable the adoption of insect-based ingredients to migrate from novelty to widespread use globally.
 

Tariff Impact

Within the insect-based ingredients market, customs duties and trade restrictions may significantly disrupt the supply chain, regional growth, and foreign investment patterns. For instance, if tariffs were imposed on processed insect protein products such as defatted mealworm powder or black soldier fly oil it would raise the cost of importing essential components like insect farming equipment, bio-reactors, drying and grinding machinery, or specialized packaging needed to meet feed-grade or food-grade standards.
 

Tariffs levied on exports from primary producers in Europe (e.g., Netherlands, France) or Southeast Asia could drive up costs and limit access to affordable insect-based feed and food ingredients in emerging regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa or Latin America, where animal nutrition needs are rising and protein alternatives are essential.
 

If Western regulatory frameworks impose sustainability-based trade restrictions—such as carbon footprint labelling or requirements for traceable insect sourcing—it could lead to a significant drop in exports from Asia-Pacific producers. These suppliers may be forced to pivot to domestic markets, which often require higher marketing efforts and experience lower profit margins due to infrastructural or consumer acceptance limitations.
 

Nonetheless, these short-term trade impacts could incentivize investment in local insect farming ecosystems, pushing countries to enhance their domestic insect protein production capacity. This would involve channelling funds toward technological innovation, sustainable farming practices, and localized feedstock supply chains, fostering long-term self-reliance and economic resilience in the alternative protein space.
 

Insect-based Ingredients Market Analysis

The insect-based ingredients market by type is segmented into insect protein, insect oils, insect powder and insect chitin. The insect protein accounted for 39.5% of the market share in 2024.
 

• The markets are becoming more fragmented according to their evolution and importance relative to their performance advantages and market dynamics as insect protein, insect oils, insect powder, and insect chitin. Among other industries, the most sophisticated and dynamic is that of animal feed, and within its protein segment, the focus of innovation is on insect protein due to its high protein content, fast absorption, and excellent amino acid profile for sports nutrition, pet food, and aquafeed.
   
• Funding is aimed at improvement of flavor, texture, and digestibility to increase acceptance in food applications. There remains a greater requirement to scale as is the case with insect oils and lauric acid scope palm and fish oil replacements for cosmetics and animal feed which drives down market price. Innovation in cold-press and refining insect powders enhances undesired growing volumes of lower quality oil.
   
• In addition to palm and fish oil for livestock and pet cosmetics, insect powders serve as a versatile ingredient for other functional foods, snacks, and protein-enriched bakery products. For this ingredient, its blending ability and long shelf-life are benefits due to its fine texture and mild taste. Still, it has a hard time dealing with allergens and public perception in the food industry. Alongside this, research is being done on chitin and its derivative chitosan for biodegradability and antimicrobial properties in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and even packaging.
   
• The primary scope of concern for these materials is bio-based compounds and natural polymers related to issues at hand such as the high cost of extraction and underdeveloped regulatory frameworks. In general, all products in the market tend to have a unique combination of the degree of innovation needed, cost constraints, the stage of market adoption, and lack of awareness.
   
• Ignoring the visible sector, chitin and its powders, along with oils, serve as the backbone of propelling innovation across industries, while multifunctional applications are the outcome of emerging technologies. Enhanced trust and engagement with consumers will be achieved by protecting the items integrity and safety while efficiently scaling manufacturing, thus improving product value.

The insect-based ingredients market is segmented into food & beverages industry, animal feed industry, cosmetics industry, pharmaceutical industry, agriculture (bioplastics, fertilizers, etc.), others based on application. Food & beverages industry made up 20.2% of the market in 2024 and expected to grow at a faster rate of 9.6% CAGR to reach a wider consumer base.
 

From a single industry to multifunctional agriculture, the insect ingredients market is rapidly evolving. Food and beverages are perhaps one of the most impacted sectors: insect protein powder and flours enriched snack bars, baked goods, and even protein supplements are now more common than ever to keep pace with the new nutritional standards. Increase in demand for alternative proteins and environmentally friendly sources of food are some reasons driven by this trend.
 

With respect to animal feed, insect proteins and oils are being rapidly accepted as sustainable substitutes for fish meal and soy-based feed in aquaculture and pet food, which reduces the impact traditional feed production has on the environment. In cosmetics, chap and anti-inflammatory insect oils, along with chitin, are being incorporated as emollient and film-formers to improve skincare and haircare products.
 

Chitin and chitosan are used in devising drug delivery systems, wound healing and biodegradable medical material, which shows incredible potential in pharmaceuticals as insect-based bio composites. More commonly used in agriculture is the frass-based fertilizers and insect derived bioplastics, constructed out of more sustainable materials that aid in soil health while reducing dependency on harsh chemicals, promoting regenerative agriculture.
 

Moreover, niche areas in textiles and biochemicals are investigating insect compounds for the creation of biodegradable fibers and sustainable chemical processes. Such intra- and inter-industry uses facilitate further diversification in market possibilities for ingredients of entomological origin while simultaneously augmenting their significance as functional and eco-friendly materials. The combination of environmental concerns together with technological advancement and changing consumer attitudes continues to foster the development and integration of insect-based alternatives across such diverse end-use markets.
 

The insect-based ingredients market is dominated by North America, accounting for 34.3% of total revenue in 2024.
 

• Insect-based products are influenced by culture, interests, and laws pertaining to consumption and production. Consumer interest in sustainable protein alternatives, coupled with a strong wellness culture, propels the market in North America. The commercialization catapults with regulatory shifts in the U.S. like the permissive legislation surrounding certain insect species as food and feed for animals. Furthermore, increased funding toward food-tech startups is developing the infrastructure, altering consumer perception of alternative proteins, and educating the public.
   
• Europe is one of the regions with advanced development of insect-based ingredients owing to supportive government policies and strong regulatory framework. The EU approval of some species of insects as food for humans and animals along with the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork strategy are beneficial for scaling up production. The marked amount of consumer expenditure in the region for sustainable diets in comparison to other regions fuels growth in the area. The unique traditional practices of entomophagy combined with a well-established base of feed and food manufacturing industries positions the region.
   
• The insect farms identified in China, Thailand, and Vietnam are transitioning from informal to commercial structures which is set to increase the market in the Asia Pacific region. Moreover, government support for environmentally friendly farming and the high demand for protein-rich feeds in aquaculture dominions such as India and Indonesia sustain growth. In Latin America, Brazil and Mexico are emerging and captivating attention as traditional uses of edible insects blend with modern agriculture using sustainability frameworks.
   
• The Middle East and Africa are at the early stages of market development but have growing concerns regarding food security as well as the arid agricultural conditions facing the region. These factors make efficient resource protein sources more appealing. Self-image, attitude of local consumers toward local markets, government policies about the usage of insect-based ingredients, and business regulations are important to all regions regarding the pace and extent of adopting insect-based ingredients. Currently, Europe and Asia Pacific are leading in governmental support together with production capacity, hence they are regarded as the world’s leaders.
   

Insect-based Ingredients Market Share

Top 5 companies include Ÿnsect, EnviroFlight, Protix, AgriProtein, and Entomo Farms. These are prominent companies within the global insect-based ingredients industry operating in their respective regions. These companies hold strong positions globally due to their extensive experience. Their diverse product portfolios, backed by robust production capabilities and distribution networks, enable them to meet the rising demand for insect-based ingredients across various regions.
 

Insect-based Ingredients Market Companies

Ÿnsect: Ÿnsect, a France-based company, is one of the leaders in mealworm cultivation and automation systems for vertical farming, producing plethora ingredients of proteins and oils for aquaculture and pet food as well as fertilizers. Protix is focused on growing black house fly larvae for animal feed, pet food, and organic fertilizer, selling insect ingredient at the Netherlands. Its food waste-to-feedstock conversion terrestrial system demonstrates closed-loop production.
 

AgriProtein: South African company AgriProtein is also focused on known black soldier fly technology providing MagMeal™ and MagOil™ to aquaculture and livestock. They are the forerunners in the waste-to-value approach innovation. Their counterparts, EnviroFlight, a subsidiary of Darling Ingredients in the US, sustainably farms insects by cultivating black soldier flies for poultry and aquaculture protein-rich feeds. Their low cost and high-volume production set them apart.
 

Entomo Farms: Entomo Farms from Canada is perhaps the leading provider of crickets and cricket powder for the snack, protein bar, and functional food industries. Every one of these companies assists in the development and commercialization of insect protein as a sustainable feed option, as well as a nutritious ingredient for food and agriculture. These innovations are advancing the policies, public understanding, and funding related to the wider market of alternative proteins.
 

Insect-based Ingredients Industry News:

• In 2023, Singapore-based multi-Billion-dollar company Entobel inaugurated its largest insect protein production facility in Vietnam for black soldier fly larvae to “produce functional insect-based ingredients” for animal feed and health.
   
• In October 2023, Tyson Foods, Inc., one of the world’s largest food companies, reached an agreement for a two-fold investment with Protix, the leading global insect ingredients company. The strategic investment will help in supporting the growth of the emerging insect ingredient industry and expand the use of insect ingredient solutions to create more efficient sustainable proteins and lipids for use in the global food system. The agreement combines Tyson Foods’ global scale, experience and network with Protix’s technology and market leadership to meet current market demand and scale production of insect ingredients.
   

The insect-based ingredients mode market research report includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates and forecast in terms of revenue in USD Billion from 2021 – 2034 for the following segments:

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Market, By Type

• Insect Protein
  • Crude protein
  • Insect meal
  • Isolated protein
• Insect Oils
  • Fatty acids
  • Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids
• Insect Powder
  • Dried insect powder
  • Protein powder
• Insect Chitin

Market, By Application

• Food & beverages industry
• Animal feed industry
• Cosmetics Industry
• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Agriculture (bioplastics, fertilizers, etc.)
• Others (textile, biochemical)

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America 
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe 
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
• Asia Pacific 
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • South Korea
• Latin America 
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
• Middle East and Africa 
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • UAE