Animal Protein Market Size & Outlook, 2025-2033

Animal Protein Market Overview

The global animal protein market size was valued at USD 47.09 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach from USD 49.77 billion in 2025 to USD 77.55 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 5.70% during the forecast period (2025-2033).

Key Market Indicators

• Europe dominated the animal protein industry in 2024, accounting for approximately 30% of the global market.
• Based on type, the poultry segment led the market in 2024 with a 27% share, owing to its affordability and widespread consumption.
• Based on form, the processed animal protein segment is the dominant form segment in the global market, contributing roughly 50–55% due to convenience and ready-to-use applications.
• Based on application, the food and beverages segment held the largest share in 2024 at around 46%, driven by dairy, egg, and meat protein use in bakery, confectionery, and beverages.
• Based on source, the livestock segment remained the largest contributor in 2024, estimated at 70%, while aquaculture and insect proteins are emerging alternatives.
• Based on distribution channel, the supermarkets & hypermarkets segment dominated in 2024 with 45% share, supported by consumer preference for one-stop protein shopping.

Market Size & Forecast

• 2024 Market Size: USD 47.09 Billion
• 2033 Projected Market Size: USD 77.55 Billion
• CAGR (2025–2033): 5.70%
• Europe: Largest market in 2024
• Asia-Pacific: Fastest-growing region

Animal protein is a type of protein that comes from sources including fish, dairy, eggs, and other animals. Gelatin, dairy protein, fish protein, and egg protein are the four types of animal protein. Animal protein is widely used in the food and beverage, personal care, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries and feed and animal nutrition. The animal protein market has expanded due to the increasing use of animal protein in several sectors, including the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries, feed manufacturing, and others. The market is increasing due to the extensive use of animal proteins in the food and beverage industry, such as dairy and egg proteins.

To get more insights about this report Download Free Sample Report

Market Driving Factors

Wide Application in the Food and Beverages Sector

The food and beverage industry frequently uses animal proteins, including gelatin, dairy and egg protein, due to their high nutritional value and high functional qualities like foaming, emulsification, gelling, and others. Animal protein is a prevalent and significant ingredient in the food and beverage industry, helping fuel the market for animal protein's healthy expansion. Moreover, the development of the food and beverage industry is anticipated to present significant potential for the growth of the animal protein market.

Rising Need for Proteins as Functional and Dietary Components

Proteins are believed to be the fundamental components of blood, skin, muscles, and bones. This is explained by the need for hormones, enzymes, and other biological components that can synthesize proteins. Due to growing worries about obesity and increased health awareness, protein supplements are currently used extensively. To obtain the additional nutrients in these supplements, consumers are changing their preferences toward a healthier diet and consuming more protein, boosting the demand for animal protein. Animal protein, such as the protein in eggs, offers various benefits, including the capacity to maintain people's energy and fullness for prolonged durations, which aids in reducing unnecessary cravings.

Increasing Demand for Baby Formula

An increase in working women is causing the growing demand for infant nutritional supplements. Baby formula is a suitable replacement for milk for working women because it is easy and provides the necessary nutritional value for infants. Rapid urbanization and an increase in middle-class families have changed consumer lifestyles. The middle-income groups are wealthier and have more money to spend on their children's dietary requirements. Consumption of infant formula is expected to increase due to consumer perceptions of high nutritional content and parents' concern for their children's health. Also, the primary ingredients of baby formula are dairy proteins. Therefore, the market for dairy proteins is anticipated to rise due to the rising demand for infant formula.

Market Restraining Factors

Increasing Demand for Plant-Based Proteins

The need for plant-based protein has increased as non-vegetarians gradually reduce their consumption of foods like beef, pork, and chicken and increasingly embrace the vegan lifestyle. Meat and meat products contain saturated fats and cholesterol, increasing your risk of developing cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. This change has been noted as consumer preference for a healthy diet has improved. Additionally, as consumer awareness of the living conditions of cattle on farms has grown, non-vegetarians preferences for vegetarian food have also shifted. Customers are looking for different protein substitutes, which has increased the demand for plant-based proteins.

Key Market Opportunity

Increasing Demand for Organic Protein Components and Product Innovation

The idea that egg protein ingredients contain artificial substances will be disproved by releasing new products derived from organic sources. Additionally, the availability of organic and lactose-free egg proteins is anticipated to enhance consumer demand among health-conscious consumers because lactose-free proteins build muscle and strength. The Innovation Center for the U.S. is one of many organizations. Manufacturers of dairy and egg components have been working on R&D projects to improve egg protein ingredients' flavor, aroma, and performance. Manufacturers should benefit financially from the opportunity to provide a broader range of egg protein ingredients, which will help them increase their market share.

Regional Analysis

Europe is the most significant global animal protein market shareholder and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.20% during the forecast period. The development of the food and beverage sector and the rise in demand for foods like bakery goods and confectioneries, which need egg protein to prepare, are to blame for the market for animal proteins expanding significantly during the forecast period. Egg protein helps to smooth the skin and reduce wrinkles and fine lines.

Therefore, animal proteins like gelatin and egg protein have seen an increase in demand from the personal care and cosmetics business in Europe. The consumption of egg protein is anticipated to be the highest in the region due to rising demand for sports drinks and an increase in young sports engagement, which will support market growth.

North America Animal Protein Market Trends

North America is anticipated to increase at a CAGR of 5.40% and produce USD 20,192.22 million during the forecast period. Animal protein is the most established market in North America, ascribed to the region's growing population of health-conscious consumers. The fitness sector is predicted to expand more quickly over the projected period and doesn't appear to be slowing down. The increase in American consumers adopting healthy lifestyles or engaging in activities that support active and healthy lifestyles is responsible for this. About 20% of Americans currently belong to a fitness club, which is predicted to rise in the coming years.

Additionally, a rise in the demand for protein-rich foods brought on by an increase in the number of health-conscious consumers is projected to fuel market expansion.

The food, beverage and nutrition industries use animal protein extensively in many Asia-Pacific nations. China, Japan, and Australia are the three countries that consume the most dairy protein in the Asia-Pacific region. The market for casein, derivatives, and whey protein is expanding significantly in the region, along with the rise in awareness of dairy protein as sports or rehydrating drinks. The market for milk protein concentrate is anticipated to grow due to its widespread use as an ingredient in skincare products, which have recently become more popular.

Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, and the rest of LAMEA are all included in the LAMEA animal protein market analysis. The consumption of animal protein is predicted to increase significantly in LAMEA during the projection period. An increase in disposable income encourages the demand for nutrient-dense foods, drinks, and nutrition products, eventually boosting market expansion.

Market Segmentation

Type Insights

poultry dominates the market due to its affordability, accessibility, and wide adoption in daily diets, while fish and seafood are experiencing rapid growth with rising health awareness and consumer preference for lean protein sources. Eggs continue to hold a strong share thanks to their versatility in food and beverage applications, whereas beef and pork maintain steady demand in regions with established meat-eating cultures.

Form Insights

processed animal proteins lead the segment as convenience foods and ready-to-eat meals gain traction globally, followed by frozen proteins that benefit from extended shelf life and storage advantages. Fresh proteins, though smaller in share, remain significant in regions with high consumption of locally sourced meat and dairy.

Application Insights

food and beverages account for the largest share owing to the widespread use of dairy, egg, and meat proteins in bakery, confectionery, beverages, and functional foods. Dietary supplements are expanding steadily with the fitness and wellness trend, while animal feed represents another major segment, driven by rising livestock and aquaculture production. Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics & personal care are niche but growing segments, leveraging proteins such as collagen and gelatin for specialized applications.

Source Insights

livestock remains the dominant contributor, but aquaculture is emerging rapidly as global seafood demand rises. Insects, though at a nascent stage, present a sustainable alternative and are gaining recognition in high-protein supplement formulations.

Distribution Channel Insights

supermarkets and hypermarkets hold the leading position due to consumer preference for one-stop protein shopping, while online retail is the fastest-growing channel, supported by the boom in e-commerce and demand for protein-rich packaged foods. Specialty stores also contribute significantly, particularly in urban regions where premium protein-based dietary and cosmetic products are popular.

List of key players in Animal Protein Market

1. Archer Daniels Midland Company
2. Arla Foods Inc.
3. Cargill
4. Incorporated
5. Darling Ingredients Inc.
6. Kerry Group Plc
7. Kewpie Corporation
8. Nitta Gelatin Inc.
9. Peterlabs Holdings
10. Shenzhen Taier Biotechnology Co. Ltd
11. Trobas Gelatine B.V.

To get more findings about this report Download Market Share

Recent Developments

• August 2025: ADM announced a streamlining of its soy protein production network. The company is taking steps to optimize its operations to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• July 2025: Cargill has made a binding offer to acquire the Brazilian animal feed producer, Mig-Plus. This acquisition is intended to expand Cargill's animal nutrition business in the region.
• May 2025:Darling Ingredients and Tessenderlo Group have announced an agreement to form a new company named Nextida™. This new entity will combine the collagen and gelatin segments of both companies, with the goal of accelerating growth in the health, wellness, and nutrition sectors.