The Europe Edible Insects Market is expected to reach $2.98 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 29% from 2024 to 2030. In terms of volume, the Europe Edible Insects Market is expected to reach 7,85,042.7 tones by 2030, at a CAGR of 32% during the forecast period 2024–2030. The growth of this market is attributed to the rising inclination towards the consumption of alternative protein food; the high nutritional value of insects; the environmental benefits of edible insects; and the rising demand for fish feed. Additionally, growing investments in the edible insect sector and rising demand for high-protein food have significant growth opportunities for edible insect vendors in Europe. However, the high cost of insect production and the stringent regulatory framework as food restrains the edible insects market growth in Europe. Low consumer acceptance of entomophagy is a major challenge for the growth of Europe’s edible insects market.
Key Players
The report includes a competitive landscape based on an extensive assessment of the key strategic developments by leading market participants in the industry. Some of the key players operating in the Europe edible insects market are Ÿnsect (SAS) (France), Protix B.V. (Netherlands), InnovaFeed SAS (France), EnviroFlight, LLC (U.S.), Hargol FoodTech (Israel), Aspire Food Group (U.S.), All Things Bugs LLC (U.S.), EntoCube OY (Finland), Global Bugs Asia Co., Ltd (Thailand), JR Unique Foods Ltd (Thailand), Cricket Lab Limited (U.K.), BIOFLYTECH S.L. (Spain), TEBRIO (Spain), nextProtein SA (France), Hexafly (Ireland), Enorm Biofactory A/S (Denmark), HiProMine S.A. (Poland), SFly Comgraf SAS (France), and Protenga Pte. Ltd. (Singapore).
Rising Inclination Towards the Consumption of Alternative Protein Food to Spur the Demand for Edible Insects in Europe
The population of Europe is expected to increase from 446.7 million in 2022 to 453.3 million by 2026 (Source: Eurostat). A rising population is further expected to increase the food demand in the region. Additionally, proteins are essential to a healthy diet in most European countries. Earlier, meat products were considered the main source of protein in most European countries; however, in recent years, changing consumer preferences and rising concern for health and the environment have boosted the demand for alternative protein sources in the region.
Nowadays, many edible varieties of insects are gaining attention which also contain high-quality protein, vitamins, amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, and minerals. These insects are processed and utilized in food and beverages, feed, pet food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors. Additionally, insects have a larger amount of protein in comparison to conventional sources of protein such as beef, poultry, and pork. They have a high feed conversion efficiency ratio and require less water. Moreover, they also produce around 80 times less methane than ruminants. They provide more high-quality protein for food products such as cookies, breads, desserts, soups, chips, and other snacks.
A protein-rich diet can alleviate several health concerns. Consumers are increasingly becoming aware of the need to incorporate a certain amount of protein into their daily diets, driven by their increasing health consciousness. According to research from the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), high-protein diets can improve blood sugar control in patients with Type 2 diabetes without any adverse effects on kidney function. High-protein diets have no adverse effects on kidney parameters. Moreover, there is a growing demand for high-protein food for sports nutrition, dietetic food, or food supplements, which creates opportunities for insect-derived ingredients. Thus, the rising inclination towards the consumption of alternative protein food is expected to drive the Europe edible insect market in the coming years.
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Key Findings in the Europe Edible Insects Market Study:
In 2024, the Whole Insects Segment to Dominate the Europe Edible Insects Market
Based on product, the Europe edible insects market is segmented into whole insects, insect powder, insect meal, and insect oil. In 2024, the whole insects segment is expected to account for the largest share of the Europe edible insects market. The large share of this segment is attributed to the growing demand for whole insects in various culinary applications, the abundant availability of edible insects, the lower cost of insects than their processed forms, edible insects being high in protein content, and the higher demand for whole insects from protein ingredients and food manufacturers for further processing and use in various applications.
However, the insect powder segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period of 2024–2030 due to the increasing inclination of consumers toward fitness & wellness and the growing demand for protein-rich food. In addition, in January 2024, the European Union’s approval for selling house crickets and larvae insects for human consumption in powder and other dried forms is further anticipated to boost the growth of this market in the region.
In 2024, the Crickets Segment to Dominate the Europe Edible Insects Market
Based on insect type, the Europe edible insects market is segmented into crickets, mealworms, black soldier flies, buffalo worms, grasshoppers, ants, silkworms, cicadas, and other edible insects. In 2024, the crickets segment is expected to account for the largest share of the Europe edible insects market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the high nutritional value and easy farming & processing of crickets, rising demand for cricket-based products such as protein powders, protein bars, and snacks, and cricket as a lower carbon alternative than meat. In addition, in January 2024, the European Union’s approval for house crickets and their larvae for human consumption in powder and other dried forms is further anticipated to propel the growth of the crickets market in upcoming years across Europe.
However, the black soldier flies (BSF) segment is slated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period of 2024–2030 owing to the rising government support for insect meal as a livestock feed and growing venture investments in the European BSF industry. Additionally, black soldier flies are gaining popularity in the European Union due to their ability to convert waste into protein, which is anticipated to further boost the growth of this market in the region.
In 2024, the Food and Beverages Segment to Dominate the Europe Edible Insects Market
Based on application, the Europe edible insects market is segmented into food & beverages and feed. In 2024, the food and beverages segment is expected to account for the largest share of the Europe edible insects market. The large share of this segment is mainly attributed to the growing demand for insect-infused food & beverages, the increasing consumption of processed whole insects as food, and the increasing demand for high-quality alternative protein. Moreover, the growing demand for high-protein ingredients for sports nutrition, dietetic food, or food supplements is further expected to create market growth opportunities for stakeholders in this market.
In 2024, the Human Consumption Segment to Dominate the Europe Edible Insects Market
Based on end use, the Europe edible insects market is segmented into human consumption and animal nutrition. In 2024, the human consumption segment is expected to account for the larger share of the Europe edible insects market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to factors such as the growing demand for protein-rich food, the increasing demand for insect-based food products such as protein powders, protein bars, and snacks, and the rising awareness about the nutritional benefits of insects in human nutrition. This segment is also expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period of 2024–2030.
The Netherlands to Dominate the Europe Edible Insects Market, while France to Lead in Growth
The Europe edible insects market is segmented into the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Denmark, Finland, Germany, and the rest of Europe. In 2024, the Netherlands is expected to account for the largest share of the Europe edible insects market. The large share of this market is mainly driven by the presence of key insect manufacturers and growing initiatives from the government and other institutions to create awareness about insect foods in the Netherlands. Wageningen University and Research Centre (WUR) in the Netherlands is a long-standing hub of research and advocacy relating to entomophagy. Since 2006, the university has actively focused on increasing awareness about insect foods through hosting several insect events, exhibitions, and activities in the country and is further expected to support the growth of the edible insects market in the Netherlands in upcoming years.
However, France is slated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period of 2024–2030 owing to the growing venture investment in the edible insects sector, rising use of insect protein, and increasing demand for edible insects from food and beverage companies.
Scope of the Report:
Europe Edible Insects Market Assessment, by Product
- Whole Insects
- Insect Powder
- Insect Meal
- Insect Oil
Europe Edible Insects Market Assessment, by Insect Type
- Crickets
- Black Soldier Fly
- Mealworms
- Buffalo Worms
- Grasshoppers
- Ants
- Silkworms
- Cicadas
- Other Edible Insects
Europe Edible Insects Market Assessment, by Application
- Food and Beverages
- Processed Whole Insects
- Processed Insect Powder
- Protein Bars & Protein Shakes
- Baked Products & Snacks
- Insect Confectioneries
- Insect Beverages
- Other Food & Beverage Applications
- Feed
- Animal Feed
- Aquaculture Feed
- Pet Food
Europe Edible Insects Market Assessment, by End Use
- Human Consumption
- Animal Nutrition
Europe Edible Insects Market Assessment, by Country
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- France
- Denmark
- Finland
- Germany
- Rest of Europe (RoE)
Key Questions Answered in the Report:
