Whey Protein Ingredients Market Trends

Whey Protein Ingredients Market Overview:

Whey protein ingredients market is projected to reach USD 25.4 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 7.36% from 2022 to 2030. Whey protein is one of the most popular sources of protein, and it is used in various products. Whey protein is full of protein that is helpful for muscle growth and maintaining good health. It is consumed globally to improve the lipid profile glucose levels and insulin response that again promote arterial stiffness and blood pressure reduction. 

Additionally, whey protein provides balanced nutrition for infants. It also reduces cholesterol levels among the elderly. The popularity of whey protein is rising among youngsters. Now, most people are highly concerted towards their health, and they are trying to fulfill the protein needs in their bodies with whey protein. Also, people who are building muscle require a high amount of protein, and they are dependent on whey protein, for that matter. These are some key factors that are driving the whey protein ingredients market growth. 

Whey protein is produced during cheese production, and it is known to increase the performance of athletics and sportsman. People who are lactose intolerant take whey protein as an alternative to milk. Whey is one of the two proteins produced as a by-product of cheese making. The whey protein ingredients are available in the concentrates and isolates forms. The isolate form is superlative in protein content and has less card and fat percentage. There are various processes involved to decrease the number of carbs and fats in whey protein ingredients. Methods such as Nano-filtration, micro-filtration, and other powering methods are used to get the best quality of whey protein. 

Covid-19 Analysis

Covid-19 pandemic happened due to the emergence of the coronavirus in 2020. Within months it spread across every corner of the world and became a major concern for the governments around the world. Due to the rapid spread of the virus, all the governments advised all the people to increase their immunity. As there was no medicines or vaccine at that time, improving immunity was the only way to fight the virus. Due to this, the people adopted healthy lifestyles and focused on consuming healthy products. Whey protein offers various health benefits, and it can make the overall health better, as a result, the demand for whey protein increases. 

However, the governments imposed a lockdown that interrupted the products, services, and travel. Due to this, the production of whey protein was on a halt, and due to travel restrictions, the supply of raw materials and ingredients for whey protein got interrupted. It was one of the major reasons behind the reducing market value during the covid-19 period. Now the situation is coming to normalcy, and the whey protein ingredients market trends are increasing rapidly. 

Market Dynamics

• Drivers

The various health benefits involved in whey protein are one of the major drivers in the whey protein ingredients market.  Whey protein is packed with an amino acid that improves the performance of athletes. The amino acids are essential for building the blocks. Additionally, whey protein can increase muscle mass and strength when used as a supplement. Whey protein is used in the animal feed industry as well. 

Improved mindfulness and growing pet culture of the pet parents offer better nutrition to their pets is boosting the whey protein ingredients market growth. Furthermore, the rapidly growing geriatric population and need for clinical nutrition are increasing health complications, and the doctors are advising to maintain proper nutrition and diet to overcome the deficiency and also improve the physical activity and efficiency. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 700 million people are aged 65 in the world, and the number is expected to double by 2050. Due to this, the demand for whey protein is increasing, and it is propelling the whey protein ingredients market trends.

 The demand for whey protein ingredients has increased in the personal care industries as well, owing to its characteristics such as mass gain, increased strength, improved immunity, and fat loss. Factors like potential health benefits of dairy ingredients and high demand for milk-based ingredients, and hair care cosmetics will drive the whey protein ingredients market as well. 

• Opportunities

Now the food & beverages companies are using whey protein in their products to make them healthier and to attract customers. Whey protein can be found in drinks, biscuits, and protein bars as well, which will generate opportunities for the market. The increasing health awareness and demand for high protein-containing products is expected to bring opportunities to the whey protein ingredients market. Application of protein in the infant food formula and higher investment by the companies involving whey ingredients will propel the demand of the market. 

• Challenges

Just like other markets, the whey protein ingredients market also faces many challenges. One of the major challenges is the cost of the whey protein ingredients. Due to the high cost of these ingredients, the products made from them are also costly. That’s why the people from underdeveloped regions can’t afford it. 

• Restraints

One of the major restraints in the market is the availability of alternatives to whey proteins. Plant protein has gained massive popularity in recent years, and the customer base is shifting towards it, which is hampering the whey protein ingredients market. Apart from it, strict governments rules and regulations also hinder market growth.

Market Segmentation 

The whey protein ingredients market is segmented on the basis of application, type, and region.

• Based on the application, the market is divided into dairy and frozen foods, beverages, sports nutrition, medicine, meat products, and others. Among these, the sports nutrition segment holds the highest whey protein ingredients market share, and it is likely to dominate in the forecast period as well, owing to the growing demand for whey protein ingredients in the sports industry.


• Based on type, the market is segmented into whey protein isolate, hydrolyzes whey protein, whey protein concentrate, and demineralized whey protein, and others. Among these, the hydrolyzed whey protein segment dominates the market by holding the highest whey protein ingredients market share. 


• Based on region, the market is divided into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the rest of the world.

Regional Analysis

The major regions of the whey protein ingredients market are North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the rest of the world. The North American region holds the highest share in the market and dominates the market, followed by Europe owing to the increasing demand for nutritive protein-based food products among the developed countries such as Canada, Germany, the US, and the UK. Additionally, the presence of active key players in the Asia Pacific region and large population is boosting the market in this region. Now the food manufacturers are also using whey protein in preparing healthy foods & beverages that will boost the demand for whey protein ingredients which will boost the whey protein ingredients market around the world.

Market Key Players

The major key players of the whey protein ingredients market are

• Arla Foods amba (Denmark)


• Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc. (US.)


• Associated British Foods plc (UK)


• WackerChemie AG (Germany)


• Cargill Inc. (US.)


• Archer Daniels Midland Company (US.)


• Omega Protein Corporation (US.)


• Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd. (New Zealand)


• Carbery Food Ingredients Ltd. (Ireland)


• Davisco Foods International, Inc. (US.)

Among these key players, Omega Protein Corporation (US) is contributing highly to the market. 

Recent Developments 

• One of the biggest foods & beverage production sectors in the world, McDonald’s has introduced real fruit protein to encourage people to have healthy and eating and lifestyle. 

Report Overview

This report highlights the whey protein ingredients market outlook and offers a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the whey protein ingredients market.  This report covers the market dynamics as well, such as the drivers of the market, opportunities, challenges, and restraints. Furthermore, it also adds the market segmentation, regional analysis, market key players, and recent developments. 

Segmental Table

By Application 

• Bakery & Confectionery


• Dairy


• Frozen Foods


• Sports Nutrition


• Beverages


• Meat Products


• Medicine


• Others

By Type

• Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC)


• Whey Protein Isolate (WPI)


• Hydrolyzed Whey Protein


• Demineralized Whey Protein


• Others

By Region

• Europe


• Asia-pacific


• North America


• Rest of the world