Cricket Protein Powder Market

Cricket Protein Powder Market Outlook (2023-2033)

The market for cricket protein powder can be expected to expand at a value based CAGR of 11.0% and show an increase in revenue from US$ 54.9 Mn to around US$ 155.8 Mn by 2033.

Cricket Protein Powder Consumption Analysis (2018-2022) Vs. Market Estimations (2023-2033)

The global cricket protein powder market has witnessed significant growth in the historical period registering a CAGR of 8.90% in the historical period and was valued at US$ 54.9 Mn in 2023. The market is expected to grow steadily with increasing awareness and benefits about applications of cricket protein powder.

With rising demand for alternative protein sources, sales for cricket protein powder witnessed significant growth, as manufacturers raised funds for expansion plans. Investors supported many start-up plans, as demand for nutritive, sustainable, and health-beneficial cricket protein witnessed increased demand from customers along with manufacturers involved in serving health-beneficial products. The trend of including protein in one’s diet is further expected to benefit the market for cricket protein powder and an increase in production globally may further reduce the prices of cricket protein powder. In Latin American countries, including Brazil and Mexico, insect-based start-ups are thriving, which is a promising factor for the expansion of the cricket protein powder market size in the region.

As the health and nutrition factor would continue to dominate consumer food preferences, rising cricket protein powder consumption is expected to drive the market over the coming years. The global market for cricket protein powder is estimated to reach an approximate valuation of US$ 155.8 Mn in the forecast period.

What are the Key Trends in the Market for Cricket Protein Powder?

“Nutritive Value of Edible Insects a Factor in Driving Demand”

Research & development activities in the alternative protein industry prove that, protein extracted from edible insects is more digestible as compared to other plant-based and animal-based protein sources. Protein digestibility associated with different species ranges from 76% to 98%.

Cricket protein powder products are known for their ability to offer higher energy levels as compared to conventional animal-based protein products. Cricket protein powder contains higher amounts of essential amino acids as compared to conventional meat products, leading to the suggestion that, consuming cricket protein powder may allow for the necessary amino acid intake.

Vitamin B12, which occurs only in foods of animal origin, is found in sufficient amounts in house crickets. This vitamin is essential for the overall development of human health. The high nutritional profile offered by cricket protein powder is expected to drive market growth.

“Marketing Strategies Adopted by Key Cricket Protein Powder Manufacturers”

Key players operating in the cricket protein powder manufacturing industry are adopting unique marketing strategies to expand their consumer base. Majority of the companies in the U.S. market are entering into strategic partnerships to ensure increased awareness regarding the different benefits of cricket protein powder. They are focusing on the development of modern trade channels to ensure better reach of their products.

Manufacturers are also partnering with various organizations and technology leaders to increase production rates without compromising on quality and variety. Some players are collaborating with leading supermarkets and food retailers to carry out smooth distribution of their products.

• For instance, Chirps Chips partnered with supermarkets such as Hy Vee, Shoprite, Mom’s Organic Market, and others operating in different states of the U.S., to increase the sales of its products.

“’Sustainability’ trend influencing the cricket protein powder market”

Environmental awareness among consumers has given rise to a new era of sustainability across the globe. Consumers around the world are now motivated to be more environmentally conscious, and are exercising their power and voice through the products that they buy. Major health issues such as asthma and thyroid are also largely associated with deteriorating air and water quality.

The environmental impact associated with the production of cricket protein powder is negligible as compared to that with broiler production. Production methods associated with cricket protein powder manufacturing emit 100 times less greenhouse gases as compared to conventional meat protein sources. Consumers are demanding food products that are environment-friendly, and shifting toward companies that care about environmental issues, which is expected to drive increased demand for cricket protein powder products.

“Challenges faced by Cricket Protein Powder Market Manufacturers”

Lack of specific and insect-inclusive regulations, labeling standards, and other administrative instruments governing the production of edible insects is a major barrier to the growth of the cricket protein powder industry, especially in developed countries. Regulatory frameworks set up by governing authorities impose a limit on the use and trade of edible insects in the food chain. The constitutions of Western countries are relatively conservative when it comes to insects as a replacement for animal-derived proteins or plant-derived proteins.

Manufacturers in the cricket protein powder industry are subjected to principles established by the General Food Law and European Feed Safety Risk Management Policy (for the European region). These restrictions may hinder demand growth of cricket protein powder as an alternative protein source from reaching its full potential.

Country-wise insights

Will Adoption of Technology Open New Avenues for Growth of Cricket Protein in China?

Manufacturers are investing huge amounts to develop cost-efficient, high-quality, and energy-efficient production units for cutting down costs and ensuring the availability of premium cricket protein powder. They are also focusing on enhancing protein levels, extending shelf life, and increasing the functionality of cricket protein for different end-use industries.

Adoption of technology for cricket rearing is expected to positively impact production, along with cost-efficiency. Modern technology for high-quality cricket protein powder along with better production rates is expected to create room for manufacturers to target the food industry in China for increased sales, with an expected value CAGR of around 11% during the forecasted period.

Will Increasing Health Conscious Trend in India Create Opportunities for Cricket Protein Powder?

Constantly evolving needs of consumers are recently more focused on health and wellness. Consumers in India are changing their dietary preferences, owing to busy lifestyles, rapid urbanization, and growing health awareness. Cricket protein powder is made by grinding up whole dried crickets, which results in the formation of whole protein food.

Cricket protein powder utilizes the whole insect, which provides different health benefits offered by various parts of the insect. Consumers in India, led by the millennial generation, are focusing on health and wellness in a big way, and are seeking nutritional supplements. Thus, demand for edible insects is expected to surge across India over the coming years, thereby pushing shipments of cricket protein powder as well.

Category-wise insights

Why Will Cricket Protein Powder Usage Grow Significantly in Bakery & Snacks Industry?

Healthy snacks and baked goods are trending in the food & beverage industry, as consumers are prioritizing health while consuming snacks and bakery products. Cricket protein powder is being increasingly favored by bakery and snack manufacturers, due to its strong nutritional composition and various health benefits. Manufacturers in the bakery & snacks industry are focusing on offering products with cricket protein powder. Products such as cricket nutritional bars, cricket pasta, cricket burgers, and other cricket-based products are making a robust presence in market.

Why is 75% of Cricket Protein Market Value Share Accounted for by Regular Flavor?

The use of edible insect protein is gaining traction in the food industry, owing to its high nutritional property. Key players in the bakery industry are shifting toward the use of cricket protein powder as a substitute for traditional baking flour, to increase the protein content in bread or baked products. Manufacturers in the food processing industry are inclining toward the addition of cricket protein powder in packaged foods such as energy bars, chips, and pasta, for enhancing the protein content of these food products. Cricket protein powder is neutral in taste, hence, food producers are opting for regular flavor cricket protein powder in order to maintain the flavor profile of the end product, while also adding nutritional content to it.

Competitive Dashboard

Key players engaged in production and supply activities in the cricket protein powder market are focusing on the adoption of different expansion strategies such as acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures, and product launches to create more space in the evolving edible insect for human consumption market. These key players are continuously seeking investments through raising funds for supporting expansion plans and catering to increasing demand for alternative protein solution. Manufacturers operating in the cricket protein powder market are also focusing on offering products in different flavors to captivate consumers demanding nutrition with taste.

• In 2018, Entomo Farms received Series A funding from its partner Maple Leaf Foods, a leading consumer protein company. This funding was received by the company for the expansion of its cricket farm to meet the increasing demand for nutritious and sustainable alternatives to traditional meat protein.
• Chirps Chips offers cricket protein powder in rich chocolate and creamy vanilla flavors in the ready-to-mix form. This cricket protein powder is used in various applications such as baking, or can also be added to oatmeal, yogurt, cookies, muffins, and others.
• Cricket Flours LLC announced the launch of its new organic roasted cricket line in 2018. This new product line was developed using crickets fed an organic and non-GMO diet. Crickets can be used in a variety of dishes and snacks. This product launch aided the company in establishing new revenue streams.
• In 2019, Exo Inc. announced the launch of a new product in response to the increasing demands from its customers. The company launched a cricket protein powder with a malt flavor with hints of raw cocoa. This cricket protein powder can be added as a protein boost to baked goods and smoothies.

Cricket Protein Powder Industry Report Scope

Cricket Protein Powder Industry Research by Category

By Nature:

• Organic
• Conventional

By Form:

• Regular
• Flavored
  • Vanilla
  • Chocolate
  • Others

By End Use:

• Household
• Industrial
  • Bakery & Snacks
  • Soup & Sauces
  • Salads & Dressings
  • Dessert & Smoothies
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Others

By Distribution Channel:

• Business to Business
• Business to Consumer
  • Hypermarkets/Supermarkets
  • Convenience Stores
  • Specialty Stores
  • Online Retailers

By Region:

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• South Asia & Pacific
• East Asia
• Middle East & Africa

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