Wheat Protein Market Report 2026

The wheat protein market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $3.66 billion in 2025 to $3.94 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of industrial baking activities, increased consumption of protein-enriched foods, growth in sports nutrition markets, established use of wheat gluten in food processing, availability of wheat processing infrastructure.

The wheat protein market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.45 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for alternative plant proteins, rising focus on functional and fortified foods, expansion of personal care ingredient applications, growing use of wheat protein in meat analogs, increasing innovation in protein extraction technologies. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of wheat protein in bakery applications, rising demand for sports and nutrition supplements, growing adoption of hydrolyzed wheat proteins in cosmetics, expansion of textured wheat protein in meat alternatives, enhanced focus on functional protein properties.

The increasing vegan population is expected to propel the growth of the wheat protein market going forward. The vegan population refers to individuals who follow a vegan lifestyle, which involves abstaining from all animal-derived products, including meat, dairy, eggs, and often honey. The growth in the vegan population is driven by factors such as rising awareness of animal welfare, environmental sustainability concerns, and the perceived health benefits of plant-based diets. Wheat protein is well suited to vegan consumers due to its high protein content, favorable amino acid profile, and functional properties that support a wide range of food applications, including meat alternatives, bakery products, and ready-to-eat foods. For instance, in January 2024, according to Finder.com LLC, a US-based personal finance comparison platform, a survey indicated that the UK vegan population reached approximately 2.5 million in early 2024, up from 1.1 million in 2023. Therefore, the increasing vegan population is driving the growth of the wheat protein market.

Major companies in the wheat protein market are developing innovative products, such as wheat-based binders, to enhance the functionality of plant-based and processed foods. These binders are functional ingredients derived from wheat protein, primarily gluten, used in food production to improve texture, binding, and moisture retention. For example, in June 2024, Loryma GmbH, a Germany-based manufacturer of wheat-based food ingredients, launched a wheat-based binder designed to replace methylcellulose, a common ingredient in vegan meat products. This binder can be utilized in a variety of vegan products, including nuggets, schnitzels, salami, and fish alternatives. The protein content in the wheat-based binder contributes to a nutrient profile that closely resembles that of meat.

In February 2024, Cargill Incorporated, a US-based provider of wheat protein, formed a partnership with ENOUGH. This collaboration will see Cargill work alongside customers to develop protein alternative foods utilizing Enough’s Abanda mycoprotein. Furthermore, ENOUGH plans to leverage Cargill’s global reach and feedstock technology expertise to expand its operations in Europe and beyond. The primary goal of this partnership is to enhance the availability of sustainable protein options. ENOUGH is a Scotland-based company that specializes in providing plant-based mycoprotein.

Major companies operating in the wheat protein market are Archer Daniels Midland Company, Cargill Inc., Agrana Beteiligungs-AG, MGP Ingredients Inc., Roquette Freres SA, Glico Nutrition Co Ltd., Tereos Starch & Sweeteners, Agridient Inc., Manildra Group, Crop Energies, Kröner-Stärke GmbH, Crespel & Deiters GmbH & Co. KG, AB Amilina, Kerry Inc., Permolex Ltd., Chamtor Ltd., Sedamyl SRL, Meelunie B.V., Bryan W Nash & Sons Ltd., Aminola BV, The Scoular Company, Südzucker AG, Emsland Group GmbH, Beneo-Remy N.V.

North America was the largest region in the wheat protein market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the wheat protein market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the wheat protein market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the wheat protein market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The wheat protein market consists of sales of glutenin, gliadin, soy protein, proteins, amino acids. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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