Asia Pacific Protein Ingredients Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Plant Proteins, Insect Protein), By Application (Food & Beverages, Animal Feed), By Country, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030

Market Size & Trends 

The Asia Pacific protein ingredients market size was estimated at USD 11.26 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2024 to 2030. The rapidly expanding population in the region, coupled with an increasing focus on following healthy lifestyle patterns among citizens, are major factors aiding the demand for protein ingredients in Asia Pacific. Moreover, the region is a leading producer of cereals and grains, root vegetables, and legumes, such as peas and soy, all of which form a vital part of the market. Another factor that is driving the regional market expansion is the increasing incorporation of natural products in the manufacturing of food & beverage items. Manufacturers are consistently seeking out products that enrich the nutritional value of baked goods, fruit juices, cereals, and dietary supplements while also maintaining or elevating the taste and texture.

The market for protein ingredients in Asia Pacific accounted for a revenue share of 22.5% in the global protein ingredients market in 2023. Plant-based and animal-based proteins both showcase several health benefits that have been proven through scientific studies. This has been a major factor driving demand for protein ingredients in food & beverage items, infant formulas, and animal feed formulations. For instance, soy is constituted of 38% protein, 18% unsaturated oil, 30% carbohydrate, and 14% moisture. Moreover, it has all nine essential amino acids that are needed for optimal well-being and health.

Research has revealed that consuming 25 grams of soy protein daily helps prevent various ailments including CVDs, diabetes, and obesity. Also, product innovations and technological advancements have aided in steady market progress in the region. Technological advancements have enabled the use of dairy & plant proteins in beverage powders, concentrated frozen desserts, sour cream, and sour cream dips. Moreover, soy protein is extensively used in emulsion cheese types to substitute around 50% of sodium caseinate. Major companies, including Archer Daniels Midland and Cargill, are continually investing in R&D to introduce new products in the plant & dairy protein market.

In Asia Pacific, as urbanization gains prominence and lifestyles become westernized, there is a noticeable shift towards diets that include more protein. This is especially true in countries, such as China and India, where conventional diets may have been more plant-based, but are now including other emerging sources of protein also. In addition, there is a growing recognition among governments regarding the need to enhance food security in regional economies. Protein ingredients, such as soybeans and pulses, are notable sources of affordable and sustainable nutrition, particularly as the region faces the mounting challenges of climate change and resource constraints.

Insect protein is another promising area that has found its footing in leading countries but still possesses significant untapped potential, with government support and a strong policy structure expected to shape regional growth. Although insects are considered a delicacy in various Southeast Asian countries, such as China and Thailand, consumers in other economies still possess a lack of awareness regarding their nutritional value. This is expected to provide a significant avenue for manufacturers to boost their presence in this space in the coming years.

Product Insights

The animal/dairy protein segment accounted for the largest revenue share in the regional market for protein ingredients in 2023. The accelerated growth in demand for functional food and dietary supplement products has led to the rising usage of ingredients, such as collagen peptides, gelatin, whey protein isolate, and egg protein. For instance, egg protein is known to be an excellent and economical source of high-quality protein. These ingredients are being increasingly utilized in fortified food & beverage products, including ice cream, meat, and bakery items, owing to their ability to address nutritional deficiencies.

A substantial number of manufacturers of egg protein ingredients are located in Japan since the country is a major manufacturing hub for egg-related products. On the other hand, milk protein concentrates and isolates are utilized in the production of bakery products, liquid nutritional supplements, and fortified food items. The rapid growth of the food & beverage sector, primarily in the Asia Pacific economies of India, China, Malaysia, and Indonesia, is expected to boost the demand for these ingredients in the coming years.

The insect protein segment is anticipated to showcase the fastest growth from 2024 to 2030 in the regional industry. Insects are highly nutritious and very rich in protein, vitamins, healthy fats, minerals, and fibers. They function as a notable source of essential amino acids, making them a valuable dietary supplement, particularly in areas where malnutrition and undernutrition are major concerns.

Furthermore, insect proteins offer a sustainable and environment-friendly alternative to conventional animal proteins, with a lower environmental footprint concerning water consumption, land use, and greenhouse gas emissions. Products, such as protein bars, are increasingly incorporating insect proteins in the powdered form to improve both the flavor profile and nutritional value of the product. The regional food industry is undergoing technological changes and integrating alternative ingredients in the manufacturing of food & beverage products, which is expected to have a positive impact on this segment’s expansion.

Application Insights

The food & beverage segment accounted for a dominant revenue share of 58.5% in the Asia Pacific protein ingredients market in 2023. Asia Pacific is likely to witness significant growth in this sector during the assessment period on account of increasing urbanization, rising disposable income of consumers, expansion of hypermarket & supermarket stores, supportive economic factors, and the availability of easy finance. Factors, such as the growing food & beverage industry in the region, trending ‘on-the-go’ lifestyle, and rising number of restaurants, cafes, and bakeries in fast-developing economies, such as India, Malaysia, and China, are likely to augment demand for these products in the coming years. Furthermore, the younger demographic in the region is increasingly focusing on weight management and fitness routines, creating growth opportunities for this industry. The rising popularity of dietary supplements is further anticipated to solidify demand for protein ingredients.

Meanwhile, the animal feed segment is projected to maintain its position as the second-largest contributor to regional revenue by 2030. The increasing consumption of meat in economies of the Asia Pacific region is a leading factor driving the usage of plant & animal protein ingredients in animal feed applications. In addition, the growing demand for protein-rich meat and rising awareness concerning the quality of meat products in promising regional economies, such as China, India, and Japan, is anticipated to boost the market for protein ingredients in the coming years. There has been significant ongoing research regarding the development of feed solutions that use sources with high protein content and have an optimal presence of essential amino acids, which is another factor anticipated to drive industry expansion in the Asia Pacific.

Country Insights

China Protein Ingredients Market Trends

The China protein ingredients marketaccounted for the leading revenue share of 34.8% in the regional industry in 2023. Rising demand for protein-rich products from Chinese consumers has led to an increase in the development of protein shakes, protein bars, and protein powders. Moreover, investments in launching new protein products in China by major multinational players are anticipated to expand the penetration of protein-based products.

The rising demand for sports nutrition products in the economy presents another avenue for market growth, as the government and other private bodies are actively encouraging people to adopt an active lifestyle and reduce the incidence of disorders, such as obesity and diabetes. Consequently, a growing younger demographic in China is participating in sports and engaging in fitness programs, while older people are embracing physical activities. This is expected to bolster the demand for ingredients, such as clear whey protein isolates, in ready-to-drink (RTD) sports and protein beverages.

India Protein Ingredients Market Trends

The protein ingredient market in India is anticipated to advance at the fastest CAGR of 7.0% from 2024 to 2030. Rising health awareness among consumers in the economy has led to changes in food consumption patterns in the past few years. The introduction of the National Food Security Act by the Indian government has played a key role in changing the dietary patterns of citizens. A significant rise in consumption of protein-rich foods has been observed in recent years and this trend is anticipated to continue during the forecast years. In addition, the augmented demand for nutritional food & beverage items among customers in India is projected to positively impact the protein ingredients market.

Consumers from the middle class are willing to pay a premium for high-quality and healthier food products, including those made with premium protein ingredients, such as whey protein, pea protein, and collagen peptides. Wheat proteins are produced on a significant scale, as India is a major producer and exporter of wheat in the region. An abundance of raw materials and easy isolation of several protein contents, such as albumins & globulins, gluten, and gliadins, are fueling the segment growth.

Key Asia Pacific Protein Ingredients Company Insights

Some of the major names that are involved in the development of protein ingredients in the Asia Pacific include Cargill, Kerry, Ingredion, DSM, and Wilmar, among several other global and regional manufacturers. These companies are mainly focusing on capacity expansion and R&D investments, to gain a competitive advantage over others.

• Ingredion Incorporated is engaged in the manufacturing and marketing of sweeteners, starches, nutrition ingredients, and biomaterials for various end-user industries, including food & beverages, paper, and pharmaceuticals. The company’s specialty ingredients portfolio, which includes plant-based proteins, sugar reduction and specialty sweeteners, and starch-based texturizers, accounts for a significant proportion of the overall sales volume. The company has an extensive presence in major economies of the Asia Pacific, such as China, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, and Malaysia

• Kerry is a food-producing company with an extensively established brand in the Asia Pacific region, with sales offices in Australia, Malaysia, and India; and customer co-creation centers in Vietnam, Malaysia, South Korea, Indonesia, Philippines, and India. The company also has two regional technology & innovation centers located in Shanghai (China) and Singapore. Its taste and nutrition division offers solutions catering to the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical markets. Meanwhile, the company provides chilled food products through the consumer foods division

Recent Developments

• In May 2024, Proeon, an innovator in the food ingredients space located in India, introduced the PROEON PEANUT80, a premium-quality protein isolate that has been sourced from the sidestream of the peanut oil industry. The company claims that the product offers a significant protein purity of 80%, while also improving upon the taste and texture of the product. The product has been indicated for use in a variety of applications, including protein powders and high-protein cereals, as well as granola bars, peanut butter, and peanut bars

• In November 2023, Entobel announced the opening of the largest-ever black soldier fly (“BSF”) production plant in Asia, located in the city of Vũng Tàu in Vietnam. The facility boasts vertical rearing at 50 levels, integrating automation through robotics, advanced sensors, and data analytics tools to enhance productivity. This is the company’s second industrial-scale production facility in the country and is estimated to have a yearly production capacity worth 10000 metric tons of insect protein.

• In June 2023, Tate & Lyle announced the opening of a Customer Innovation and Collaboration Centre in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta. The company’s objective through this development is to support a healthier lifestyle in the country by leveraging innovations in food science and ingredient solutions. Tate & Lyle also aims to expand its geographical presence in this region through the establishment of this cutting-edge facility.

Asia Pacific Protein Ingredients Market Report Scope

Asia Pacific Protein Ingredients Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts volume and revenue growth at the regional and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the Asia Pacific protein ingredients market report based on product, application, and country:

• Product Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Plant Proteins

    • Cereals

      • Wheat

        • Wheat Protein Concentrates

        • Wheat Protein Isolates

        • Textured Wheat Protein

        • Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein

        • HMEC/HMMA Wheat Protein

      • Rice

        • Rice Protein Isolates

        • Rice Protein Concentrates

        • Hydrolyzed Rice Protein

        • Others

      • Oats

        • Oat Protein Concentrates

        • Oat Protein Isolates

        • Hydrolyzed Oat Protein

      • Others

    • Legumes

      • Soy

        • Soy Protein Concentrates

        • Soy Protein Isolates

        • Textured Soy Protein

        • Hydrolyzed Soy Protein

        • HMEC/HMMA Soy Protein

      • Pea

        • Pea Protein Concentrates

        • Pea Protein Isolates

        • Textured Pea Protein

        • Hydrolyzed Pea Protein

        • HMEC/HMMA Pea Protein

      • Lupine

        • Chickpea

        • Others

    • Roots

      • Potato

        • Potato Protein Concentrate

        • Potato Protein Isolate

      • Maca

      • Others

    • Ancient Grains

      • Ancient Wheat

      • Quinoa

      • Sorghum

      • Amaranth

      • Chia

      • Millet

      • Others

    • Nuts & Seeds

      • Canola

        • Canola Protein Isolates

        • Hydrolyzed Canola Protein

        • Others

      • Almond

      • Flaxseeds

      • Others

  • Animal/Dairy Proteins

    • Egg Protein

    • Milk Protein Concentrates/Isolates

    • Whey Protein Concentrates

    • Whey Protein Hydrolysates

    • Whey Protein Isolates

    • Gelatin

    • Casein/Caseinates

    • Collagen Peptides

  • Microbe-based Protein

    • Algae

    • Bacteria

    • Yeast

    • Fungi

  • Insect Protein

    • Coleoptera

    • Lepidoptera

    • Hymenoptera

    • Orthoptera

    • Hemiptera

    • Diptera

    • Others

• Application Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Food & Beverages

    • Bakery & Confectionary

    • Beverages

    • Breakfast Cereals

    • Dairy Alternatives (cheese, desserts, snacks, others)

    • Dietary Supplements/Weight Management

    • Meat Alternatives & Extenders

    • Snacks

    • Sports Nutrition

    • Others

  • Infant Formulations

  • Clinical Nutrition

  • Animal Feed

  • Others

• Country Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • China

  • India

  • Japan

  • Australia

  • Indonesia