Yellow Pea Protein Market (2022-2029)

The growth of this market is driven by factors such as the rising interest in plant-based nutrition, increasing health & wellness trends, growth in the plant-based food market, rising consumer awareness about the nutritional benefits offered by pea and pea-based products, and increasing development of innovative pea protein ingredients by key players.

Furthermore, growing opportunities in emerging markets and increasing launches of pea protein-based products are expected to provide significant growth opportunities for players operating in this market. However, the significant preference for animal-based protein hinders the growth of the yellow pea protein market to a notable extent.

The trend of healthy eating has gained traction in recent years, driving the formulation of healthy food products. Yellow pea proteins are emerging as a driving ingredient in the formation of dairy and meat alternatives and health supplements due to their high protein content with other nutritional qualities and comparatively low price than other novel proteins. Furthermore, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an increased demand for new and sustainable dietary practices that offer immunity-boosting benefits. Thus, the yellow pea protein-based food industry is witnessing a rapid surge in demand for immune-boosting products.

The COVID-19 outbreak made people re-evaluate their diets, and consumers started transitioning to healthier diets to build immunity. The demand for pea protein products increased significantly amidst the pandemic, subsequently driving the growth of the yellow pea protein market. This increase in demand is attributed to factors such as the shortage of meat and processed meat products in various regions, a rise in demand for plant-based products, and consumers’ inclination toward a healthier lifestyle.

According to the International Food Information Council’s (IFIC) 2020 Food and Health Survey, 41% of the participants increased plant-based protein consumption, and 28% of respondents consumed more plant-based meat alternatives. Nearly 70% of consumers preferred protein from plant sources. Thus, the rising demand for pea protein-based products is expected to boost the growth of the yellow pea protein market.

However, many manufacturers expect to witness short-term COVID-19 impacts, such as the slowdown in new product launches, lower sales in restaurants & cafeterias, supply chain disruptions, and investment dependency.

Over the past decade, there has been an increased demand for protein alternatives. The yellow pea protein market has witnessed significant growth in recent years due to the health benefits of yellow pea protein consumption and the increasing number of health-conscious consumers worldwide.

Although animal-based and soybean proteins continue to dominate the global protein ingredients market, pea protein has gained immense popularity in recent years. The rising interest in pea protein is attributed to the benefits of pea protein consumption over animal protein or other plant-based protein sources, including sustainable production, low allergenicity, and health benefits. Furthermore, a growing number of millennial consumers are looking for simpler labels, appetizing products, and alternative protein sources to accommodate personalized nutritional choices, which is expected to accelerate the growth of the yellow pea protein market.

Nutritionally, yellow pea proteins are an excellent source of lysine, antifungal bioactive peptides, dietary lectins, and other health-promoting properties. Pea protein contains all the essential amino acids and helps improve blood circulation and calcium absorption, manage weight, stimulate metabolism, maintain muscle health, and regulate blood sugar levels. Furthermore, the functionality of pea protein has increased its demand in the past decade. The physical and chemical properties of pea protein can significantly influence the performance in food processing, storage, and consumption. The major functional properties of pea protein are water & oil binding capacity, foam expansion, foam stability, gelation, emulsion stability, and emulsion ability ratio.

The yellow pea protein market has been registering high growth due to the increased demand for vegan and vegetarian protein ingredients sources. Manufacturers are focusing on innovative products and technology through extensive research & development to improve product quality. Moreover, the increasing number of lactose-intolerant consumers drives the demand for alternative protein ingredients sourced from milk derivatives.