Edible Insects Market Report 2024

This Edible Insects industry report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market’s historic and forecast market growth by geography.

The edible insects market size has grown exponentially in recent years. It will grow from $1.92 billion in 2023 to $2.41 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25%. The growth observed during the historic period can be attributed to the increased use of black soldier flies (BSF) for organic waste valorization, a growing number of health-conscious consumers, the low risk of transmitting zoonotic diseases, declining prices of insect-based products, and the high cost of plant-based and animal protein.

The edible insects market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.91 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.2%. The growth projected for the forecast period can be attributed to a rising interest in exotic and novel food experiences, the diversification of protein sources, increasing consumer willingness to try insect-based foods, a growing emphasis on insect farming, and rising government initiatives. Key trends during this period include automated insect farming, advancements in insect protein extraction and processing, the development of insect-based food products, the use of insect feed for livestock and aquaculture, and the valorization of insect waste.

The increasing demand for protein-rich foods is expected to drive the growth of the edible insects market in the future. Protein-rich foods are those that have a high protein content relative to their overall calorie count, such as meat, eggs, dairy products, and seafood. This demand is growing due to rising health awareness, changing dietary preferences, and a greater focus on fitness and muscle-building nutrition. Edible insects serve as a sustainable and nutrient-rich alternative to traditional protein sources, providing high-quality protein with a smaller environmental footprint. For example, in July 2024, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Food and Agriculture, an intergovernmental organization based in France, projected that global per capita protein intake would rise to 79.8 grams per day by 2033, up from 76.6 grams per day recorded between 2021 and 2023. In North America, protein intake is also expected to increase by 1.5%, or 1.9 grams per person per day, by 2033, reaching a total of 123 grams per person per day. As a result, the growing demand for protein-rich foods is fueling the expansion of the edible insects market.

Leading companies in the edible insect market are focusing on creating innovative products, such as pet food made from molitor mealworms, to improve sustainability and nutritional value. Molitor mealworm-based pet food is formulated using mealworms as a primary ingredient, capitalizing on their high protein content and environmental sustainability. For instance, in May 2023, Ÿnsect, a France-based company specializing in insect-based food products, launched Sprÿng, a new sustainable brand aimed at the pet food market. Sprÿng provides high-quality, nutritious ingredients derived from molitor mealworms, which can be easily incorporated into both dry and wet pet food formulations. These ingredients have a neutral taste, a light brown color, and are odorless, making them an ideal choice for pet food manufacturers looking for sustainable solutions.

In April 2021, Ÿnsect Ltd., a France-based insect-based food product company, acquired Protifarm NV for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition added a third production site for Ÿnsect in Ermelo, Netherlands, with an annual output exceeding 1,000 metric tons of food ingredients. The acquisition enables Ÿnsect to offer a wider range of mealworm products by integrating Protifarm, a Netherlands-based company specializing in Buffalo mealworms for human nutrition.

Major companies operating in the edible insects market are Ÿnsect (SAS), InnovaFeed SAS, Nutrition Technologies Group, Aspire Food Group, Entobel Holding Pte Ltd, Agriprotein Technologies Inc, Darling Ingredients, Bioflytech S.L., Bugsolutely Inc, Crik Nutrition, Deli Bugs Ltd, Eat Grub Ltd, Entofood Sdn Bhd, Entomo Farms Ltd, Kreca Ento-Food BV, Nordic Insect Economy Ltd, Nutribug Inc, Protenga Pte Ltd., SFly Comgraf SAS, Thailand Unique Inc.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the edible insects market in 2023. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the edible insects market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the edible insects market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Edible insects are insects consumed by humans as food. They offer a sustainable source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, and are seen as a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional livestock, thanks to their lower resource needs and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

The primary types of edible insects include crickets, black soldier flies, mealworms, buffalo worms, grasshoppers, ants, silkworms, cicadas, and others. Crickets, belonging to the Gryllidae family, are recognized for their distinctive chirping sound, produced by rubbing their wings together. These insects are found in various habitats and are commonly used as a food source or in research. They have applications in the food and beverage industry, animal feed, and pet food, with end uses in human consumption and animal nutrition.

The edible insects market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides edible insects market statistics, including the edible insects industry's global market size, regional shares, competitors with an edible insects market share, detailed edible insects market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the edible insects industry. This edible insects market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The edible insects market consists of sales of mealworm chips, whole insects, insect powder, and insect-based supplements. 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.


This product will be delivered within 3-5 business days.