The global edible insects market size was nearly USD 3.1 Bn in 2022 and is likely to reach USD 9.76 Bn by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of 27.32% during 2023–2031. Increasing awareness about the health benefits of insect proteins is likely to boost the market.
Edible insects are those that can be consumed and digested by humans and animals. They are known as a sustainable source of food, which can be farmed without damaging the environment. It includes flies, bees, ants, wasps, scale insects, mealworms, tree bugs, termites, beetles, caterpillars, and cockroaches. These insects are processed and used as a source of protein.
Edible insects are rich sources of nutrition for poultry. Therefore, they are widely used as an alternative source of protein in pigs, poultry, and fish feeds. Edible insect species that are mass-reared have the ability to feed on different substrates such as organic waste streams. It has the ability to convert organic waste into high-quality nutrients.
Edible insects are available in two forms; raw and dried. Raw edible insects are those that have not been processed. These insects are consumed in their natural form. Whereas, dried edible insects are freeze-dried or dehydrated, which requires rehydration before being consumed.
Insect-based proteins are a good source of minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and healthy fats compared to soybean meals and fish meals. These proteins are rich in high protein content that are available in the form of powder, oil, or meal.
The market report finds that the COVID-19 pandemic hampered the market. The lack of availability of raw materials and skilled labor majorly affected manufacturing units. Furthermore, preventive measures imposed by the government to curb the outspread of the virus have disturbed the operation and proper flow of commercial insect farming, which disrupted the overall supply chain of the market.
Edible Insects Market Dynamics
Major Drivers
High cost of animal-based protein is expected to drive the market during the forecast period. Insect protein products are an alternative source to animal protein, which contains high protein content, key vitamins, fatty acids, minerals, protein, and lower fat than beef or pork. Furthermore, rising awareness regarding the nutritional benefits of insect-based protein accelerates the market.
Increasing usage in food & beverages is projected to boost the market. Insect-based protein powder is widely used in protein bars & shakes, due to its high protein content. Moreover, rising approvals for governing insect production and selling insects are likely to propel the market.
- For instance, according to the FDA’s study, up to 10% of green coffee beans become infested with insects and roaches. However, it is impossible to completely exterminate these insects, so they just get roasted and brewed with the beans.
- According to a report published by FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), there are some regulatory frameworks for edible insects in distinct countries to govern the production and commercialization of insects in food and feed supply chains.
- In 2021, the European Food Safety Authority approved the sale of insects for human consumption, including yellow mealworms and migratory locusts.
Existing Restraints
High consumption of edible insects may cause allergies, which is likely to hinder the market. Moreover, the lack of awareness about the consumption of edible insects among the population restraints the market.
Scope of the Edible Insects Market Report
The market report includes an assessment of the market, trends, segments, and regional markets. Overview and dynamics have also been included in the report.
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Attributes
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Details
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Report Title
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Edible Insects Market - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast
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Base Year
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2022
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Historic Data
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2016–2021
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Forecast Period
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2023–2031
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Segmentation
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Insect Type (Ants, Beetles, Black Soldier Flies, Caterpillars, Crickets, Mealworms, Silkworms, Grasshoppers, Tree Bugs, Cicadas, and Others), Product (Insect Powder, Insect Oil, Whole Insect, and Insect Meal), and Application (Animal Feed, Cosmetics, Protein Bar & Shakes, Beverages, Confectionary, Bakery, Agriculture, and Others)
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Regional Scope
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Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa
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Report Coverage
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Company Share, Market Analysis and Size, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, Market Trends, and Revenue Forecast
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Key Players Covered in the Report
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All Things Bugs, LLC.; Aspire Food Group; Armstrong Crickets Georgia; Beetle Source; BETA HATCH; BUGSfeed; BioflyTech; Chapul LLC; EnterraFrass; EntoCube Ltd.; Entomo Farms; Enviroflight; Fluker's Cricket Farm; Global Bugs Asia; GRAN MITLA U.S.; Hargol FoodTech; HEXAFLY; HiProMine; Innovafeed; Insectéo; Invertapro AS; Jimini's; JR Unique Foods Ltd.; Kreca Ento-Feed BV; nextProtein; Nutrition Technologies; Protenga; Protix; Symton Black Soldier Fly; TEBRIO; and Ynsect
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Edible Insects Market Segment Insights
Based on insect type, the edible insects market is segmented into ants, beetles, black soldier flies, caterpillars, crickets, mealworms, silkworms, grasshoppers, tree bugs, cicadas, and others. The crickets segment held a large share of the market in 2022 and is expected to register a robust growth rate in the coming years, due to its low cost and ease of availability. They are non-toxic compared to others and are widely used in farming. The easy farming and processing of crickets is likely to contribute to segment growth.
The beetles segment is anticipated to grow at a significant growth rate during the projection period, as they are the most consumed invertebrates. They are highly rich in protein and serve as a better alternative to non-veg food such as chicken and beef.
On the basis of product, the market is fragmented into insect powder, insect oil, whole insect, and insect meal. The whole insect segment is projected to expand at a considerable CAGR during the assessment period, owing to the rising adoption as a whole in BBQ, dried, and raw forms. The segment growth is further attributed to the wide availability and the low cost compared to processed form.
The insect powder segment is estimated to account for a key share of the market in the coming years, due to the ease of availability and longer shelf life. Powder forms are easy to store. Growing adoption of insect-based protein powder to make protein bars & shakes is likely to propel the segment.
Based on application, the market is divided into animal feed, cosmetics, protein bar & shakes, beverages, confectionary, bakery, agriculture, and others. The animal feed segment is anticipated to expand at a significant pace during the assessment period, due to the increasing demand from poultry and fish farms. Edible insects provide essential amino acids and proteins, which are required for animals.
The agriculture segment is estimated to hold a significant share of the market during the projected period, due to the growing adoption of insects as a pest. Insect provides a natural ecosystem service in the form of biological control of plant pests and pollination. It helps to recycle the organic waste into humus and improve the quality of the soil. Rising agriculture practices at a rapid pace are further likely to fuel the segment.
In terms of region, the global edible insects market is classified as Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the market during the projection period, owing to the growing popularity of insect-based cuisine in China. The regional market growth is further attributed to the rising insect farming at a rapid pace, as the governments in the region are taking initiatives to save aquatic animals and the increasing adoption of insects in human diets.
- For instance, according to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), in Asia, red palm weevils are the most popular in many countries.
The market in Europe is projected to grow at a rapid pace during the forecast period, due to the high adoption of invertebrates for curing malnutrition, as they are easy to digest and resistant to disease transmission compared to other animals. Moreover, increasing consumers’ focus on health and wellness is further expected to fuel the market in the region.
Segments
The edible insects market has been segmented on the basis of
Insect Type
- Ants
- Beetles
- Black Soldier Flies
- Caterpillars
- Crickets
- Mealworms
- Silkworms
- Grasshoppers
- Tree Bugs
- Cicadas
- Others
Product
- Insect Powder
- Insect Oil
- Whole Insect
- Insect Meal
Application
- Animal Feed
- Cosmetics
- Protein Bar & Shakes
- Beverages
- Confectionary
- Bakery
- Agriculture
- Others
Region
- Asia Pacific
- North America
- Latin America
- Europe
- Middle East & Africa
Key Players
- All Things Bugs, LLC.
- Aspire Food Group
- Armstrong Crickets Georgia
- Beetle Source
- BETA HATCH
- BUGSfeed
- BioflyTech
- Chapul LLC
- EnterraFrass
- EntoCube Ltd.
- Entomo Farms
- Enviroflight
- Fluker's Cricket Farm
- Global Bugs Asia
- GRAN MITLA U.S.
- Hargol FoodTech
- HEXAFLY
- HiProMine
- Innovafeed
- Insectéo
- Invertapro AS
- Jimini's
- JR Unique Foods Ltd.
- Kreca Ento-Feed BV
- nextProtein
- Nutrition Technologies
- Protenga
- Protix
- Symton Black Soldier Fly
- TEBRIO
- Ynsect
Competitive Landscape
Key players competing in the global edible insects market are All Things Bugs, LLC.; Aspire Food Group; Armstrong Crickets Georgia; Beetle Source; BETA HATCH; BUGSfeed; BioflyTech; Chapul LLC; EnterraFrass; EntoCube Ltd.; Entomo Farms; Enviroflight; Fluker's Cricket Farm; Global Bugs Asia; GRAN MITLA U.S.; Hargol FoodTech; HEXAFLY; HiProMine; Innovafeed; Insectéo; Invertapro AS; Jimini's; JR Unique Foods Ltd.; Kreca Ento-Feed BV; nextProtein; Nutrition Technologies; Protenga; Protix; Symton Black Soldier Fly; TEBRIO; and Ynsect.
Some of these prominent companies adopted development strategies including product innovation and new product launches to expand their production. For instance,
- On May 7, 2022, BETA HATCH opened its new facility of mealworm in Cashmere. As per the company, this facility is the largest regenerative mealworm hatchery in North America.
- On March 13, 2020, Protix raised funds from Rabobank Corporate Investment to scale up the production of insect protein in the Netherlands.
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