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The edible insects market is estimated to increase by USD 4.51 billion and grow at a CAGR of 31.16% between 2022 and 2027. The growth of the market depends on several factors, including the growing food shortage across the globe, the high nutritional value derived from insects, and the low cost of Insect rearing. The market is experiencing substantial expansion fueled by the increasing severity of the global food shortage crisis. As reported by the FAO, approximately 768 million individuals grappled with hunger in 2020, exacerbated by disruptions in food supply due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Particularly vulnerable regions like APAC and Africa are confronting significant food inadequacies, impacting millions. With the FAO projecting a doubling of food shortage sufferers by 2030, there is a growing interest in alternative protein sources such as edible insects to address this pressing issue.
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This report extensively covers market segmentation by application (human consumption, animal nutrition, and cosmetics and pharmaceuticals), product type (whole insects, insect powder, and insect meal), and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America). It also includes an in-depth analysis of drivers, trends, and challenges. Furthermore, the report includes historic market data from 2017 to 2021.
The market share growth by the human consumption segment will be significant during the forecast period. There are about 2,300 species of insect species for human consumption. Insects have been consumed by many cultures for over 7,000 years. Insects are a rich source of protein, fiber, good fats, and essential minerals, making them an excellent food source.
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The human consumption segment was valued at USD 293.05 million in 2017 and continued to grow until 2021. According to Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), around 2 billion people consume insects regularly. Moreover, insect rearing requires less land than livestock rearing, which helped meet the global food shortage. According to the FAO, around 768 million people were suffering from hunger in 2020 across the world, which is expected to double by 2030. Hence, the market for conducive to human consumption is expected to grow during the forecast period.
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APAC is estimated to contribute 43% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. Technavio’s analysts have elaborately explained the regional trends and drivers that shape the market during the forecast period. APAC is the world's largest consumer. The major drivers of the Asia-Pacific edible insect market are food scarcity and tropical climates favorable for raising edible insects. Tropical insects are suitable for insect rearing because they are large and have a stable life cycle. Moreover, the food shortage in APAC is huge. According to the FAO, almost 468 million people faced the problem of hunger in the region in 2020. Countries are struggling to find new food sources to feed the growing populations. Edible insect rearing requires less land than livestock rearing, thus making insects an excellent alternative food source in the region. Hence, the market is expected to grow in the region during the forecast period.
The market is witnessing a surge in demand driven by concerns over resource scarcity, environmental degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional protein production methods. As consumers seek sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives, edible insects are gaining traction as a viable protein source. These alternative protein sources offer nutritional benefits, including essential amino acids and minerals, while also promoting the principles of a circular economy. Products like Cricket Pasta cater to the growing demand from entotarians and health-conscious consumers. Regulatory frameworks for edible insects are evolving to ensure safety and quality standards. With increased accessibility and affordability through retail outlets, edible insects are finding applications in both human food and animal feed industries, further fueling demand and awareness about their ecological and nutritional advantages in the market. Our researchers analyzed the data with 2022 as the base year, along with the key drivers, trends, and challenges. A holistic analysis of drivers will help companies refine their marketing strategies to gain a competitive advantage.
The market is witnessing significant growth driven by the escalating global food shortage crisis. According to the FAO, approximately 768 million people suffered from hunger in 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating food supply disruptions. Regions such as APAC and Africa are particularly affected, with millions facing food inadequacy. As the FAO predicts a doubling of the number of people suffering from food shortages by 2030, alternative protein sources like edible insects are gaining traction. These protein-rich sources offer nutritional benefits while being environmentally sustainable and easily grown in tropical regions, addressing resource scarcity concerns. Regulatory frameworks for edible insects are evolving, making them more accessible and affordable. With increasing awareness and demand from both food and feed industries, the edible insects market is poised for substantial growth in the forecast period, contributing to a more sustainable food ecosystem.
Growing knowledge about the benefits is the primary trend in market growth. The growing consumer awareness of the benefits of consuming is an important market trend. The environmental and nutritional benefits of eating insects are gaining the attention of consumers, who are becoming more aware of the need for more sustainable and nutritious food options. Consumers who are concerned about the environment are discovering edible insects to be a highly sustainable source of protein, whose production involves much fewer resources than conventional livestock.
In addition to being a common food in many cultures around the world, insects are also a rich source of important nutrients like protein, vitamins, and minerals. Hence, this trend is expected to drive the growth of the market in focus during the forecast period.
The high risk of contamination is a major challenge to the growth of the global market. Heavy metals, pesticides, and bacteria are just a few of the environmental hazards that insects commonly come into contact with. These risks are especially high when insects are bred in organic waste that may contain dangerous pathogens. Contamination can happen at different stages of insect production and processing, right from feed sources to handling and packaging, which poses a serious risk to the health and safety of consumers and may result in legal problems and product recalls.
Companies operating in the global market must have stringent quality control procedures in place and ensure that their goods adhere to stringent safety standards in order to overcome this difficulty. This entails performing routine checks for contaminants in insects and feed sources, as well as following the right handling and processing guidelines to prevent contamination. Hence, contamination can be a potential challenge, which can hinder the growth of the market in focus during the forecast period.
The report includes the adoption lifecycle of the market, covering from the innovator’s stage to the laggard’s stage. It focuses on adoption rates in different regions based on penetration. Furthermore, the report also includes key purchase criteria and drivers of price sensitivity to help companies evaluate and develop their growth strategies.
Global Market Customer Landscape
Companies are implementing various strategies, such as strategic alliances, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansion, and product/service launches, to enhance their presence in the market.
All Things Bugs LLC: The company offers edible insects such as Griopro insect powder. Also, the company offers insect agriculture industrial products.
The report also includes detailed analyses of the competitive landscape of the market and information about 15 market players, including:
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of vendors has been conducted to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key market players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize vendors as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize vendors as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak.
The report forecasts market growth by revenue at global, regional & country levels and provides an analysis of the latest trends and growth opportunities from 2017 to 2027.
The market is rapidly growing, driven by factors such as the increasing accessibility and affordability of alternative protein sources. With the rising demand for sustainable and eco-friendly high protein diets, edible insects are gaining traction as a viable solution. Agriprotein Technologies and other companies are pioneering innovative cultivation practices to meet this demand. Edible insects offer essential nutrients such as amino acids and necessary minerals, appealing to health-conscious consumers following ketogenic or paleo diets. Despite some psychological barriers and ethical concerns, the market is expanding with the introduction of new products like cricket pasta and protein bars. With regulatory frameworks evolving and environmental regulations emphasizing sustainability, the edible insects market presents promising opportunities for food industries, athletes, and consumers seeking protein-rich, eco-friendly alternatives.
Moreover, the market is experiencing a surge in interest due to factors such as changing eating habits, environmental concerns, and the search for alternative protein sources. As accessibility and affordability of edible insects increase, they are gaining traction in various sectors, including agriculture farming and animal feed industries. Edible insects offer a sustainable protein alternative with lower ecological footprints compared to traditional protein production methods. With innovative companies like Exo Protein and Six Foods leading in new product development, insect-based products are becoming more accessible through retail outlets. Despite ethical barriers and regulatory frameworks, the market for insect-based products is expanding as consumers embrace the potential health benefits and environmental advantages of incorporating insects into their diets.
The market is witnessing remarkable growth driven by various factors such as increasing awareness about sustainable food sources, environmental degradation concerns, and resource scarcity. Edible insects, including mealworms, crickets, grasshoppers, and black soldier flies, are gaining popularity as protein-rich food alternatives. As people become more conscious of their ecological footprint and cholesterol levels, they are turning to insect-based protein as part of diets like the ketogenic and paleo diets. Regulatory frameworks for edible insects are evolving to ensure food safety standards. Companies like Gathr Foods and Thailand Unique are leading the way in insect farming and product innovation. With the rise of entotarians and the growing demand for plant-based protein, the edible insects market is poised for significant expansion in the food and feed industries.
Allergies to animal-based protein, including those from ants, buffalo, and cicadas, are a growing concern for many individuals. As traditional BBQ fare often revolves around animal protein, alternative sources like chirps (made from insects) are gaining popularity. These alternatives not only cater to dietary restrictions but also offer potential health benefits, such as lower cholesterol levels. As more people explore diverse protein options, the food industry is adapting to accommodate these preferences, highlighting the shifting landscape of dietary choices and allergy considerations.
Edible Insects Market Scope |
|
Report Coverage |
Details |
Page number |
156 |
Base year |
2022 |
Historic period |
2017-2021 |
Forecast period |
2023-2027 |
Growth momentum & CAGR |
Accelerate at a CAGR of 31.16% |
Market growth 2023-2027 |
USD 4.51 billion |
Market structure |
Fragmented |
YoY growth 2022-2023(%) |
29.46 |
Regional analysis |
APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America |
Performing market contribution |
APAC at 43% |
Key countries |
US, China, Thailand, South Korea, and UK |
Competitive landscape |
Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks |
Key companies profiled |
All Things Bugs LLC, Armstrong Crickets Georgia, Aspire Food Group, Beta Hatch, Bioflytech, Darling Ingredients Inc., Eat Grub, Edible Bug Shop, Entomo Farms, Global Bugs Asia Co. Ltd., Hargol FoodTech, HEXAFLY, Innovafeed SAS, JR Unique Foods Ltd., MealFood Europe SL, nextProtein SA, Nutrition Technologies, Protenga Pte. Ltd., Protix BV, and Ynsect SAS |
Market dynamics |
Parent market analysis, Market forecasting, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for forecast period. |
Customization purview |
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1 Executive Summary
2 Market Landscape
3 Market Sizing
4 Historic Market Size
5 Five Forces Analysis
6 Market Segmentation by Application
7 Market Segmentation by Product Type
8 Customer Landscape
9 Geographic Landscape
10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends
11 Vendor Landscape
12 Vendor Analysis
13 Appendix
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