Welcome to Ingredients in Focus, Food Dive’s quick look at exciting developments in the ingredients sector.
The protein ingredients market is projected to reach nearly $86 billion by 2028, a 41% increase from last year, according to a report from Markets and Markets.
With the growing consumer interest in nutrition and the impact of food on overall well-being, products high in protein are gaining more attention. Companies like General Mills, W.K. Kellogg & Co., and Chobani have responded by launching products with added protein.
The increasing demand for protein alternatives, changing lifestyles, and consumption patterns will continue to drive the protein ingredients market. Key players in the industry include DuPont, ADM, Cargill, Kerry Group, and BRF Global.
Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, there has been a heightened awareness among people to boost their immune systems through a healthy lifestyle and proper diet. Protein ingredients have played a significant role in making this easier.
Markets and Markets also emphasized the potential growth of the protein ingredients market, especially in dairy and plant proteins. The shift towards more functional dairy products and the rise of plant-based proteins due to vegan trends are driving this growth.
Alternative proteins, such as Meati with mycoprotein and Juicy Marbles with soy protein concentrate, wheat protein isolate, and pea protein isolate, have been identified as solutions to various food-related challenges. These include sustainability, stability of the food supply, and nutrition enhancement.
The focus on better-for-you diets, low-fat options, and high-nutritional value foods due to growing health consciousness and obesity concerns has led to an increased consumption of protein ingredients.
Aside from their nutritional benefits, proteins are widely used for their functional properties like texturing, emulsifying, solubility, stabilizing, and binding. These properties enable food manufacturers to reduce raw material costs by serving as substitutes for food additives.