Fungal Protein Market Report 2026

The fungal protein market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $4.31 billion in 2025 to $4.6 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising consumer interest in plant-based diets, increasing environmental concerns related to meat consumption, growth of vegetarian and vegan populations, expansion of food processing technologies, availability of fermentation-based protein production.

The fungal protein market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $6.05 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing investments in alternative protein research, rising demand for sustainable and low-carbon foods, expansion of functional protein applications, increasing acceptance of fungal protein products, innovation in large-scale fermentation technologies. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of alternative protein sources, rising demand for meat substitutes, expansion of fungal protein in processed foods, growing focus on sustainable protein production, enhanced product texture and flavor innovations.

The rising consumption of processed foods is expected to drive the growth of the fungal protein market in the coming years. Processed foods are those that have undergone mechanical or chemical processes to alter or preserve them. Fungal protein serves as a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to meat and other protein sources in processed foods. For example, in April 2024, the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), a US-based trade association, reported that total industry foodservice sales accounted for 26.9% of in-store sales in 2023, up from 25.6% in 2022, with prepared food sales increasing by 12.2% per store per month, making it the leading in-store category. Therefore, the rising consumption of processed foods is expected to support growth in the fungal protein market.

Innovation is a significant trend gaining traction in the fungal protein market. Major companies in this sector are concentrating on creating innovative solutions and exploring new methods for working with myco-proteins to establish a competitive advantage. For example, in August 2024, Calysta, a UK-based biotechnology firm, introduced a new range of single-cell protein products derived from natural gas fermentation. This launch aimed to provide a sustainable alternative to conventional animal proteins. The innovative method employs a patented fermentation platform that transforms methane into high-quality protein, responding to the increasing demand for sustainable food sources. Calysta's products, such as FeedKind and Positive Protein, are intended for use in both animal feed and human food applications, fostering environmental sustainability by minimizing reliance on arable land and traditional protein sources.

In August 2024, Naplasol, a Belgium-based company specializing in plant-based meat alternatives, acquired Mycorena for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition is aimed at enhancing Naplasol's mycoprotein product portfolio and broadening sustainable solutions for the food, pet food, and feed industries. It will also facilitate the production of Mycorena's Promyc at Naplasol's facility in Bree, Belgium, thereby addressing the rising demand for alternative protein sources and strengthening its commitment to sustainable practices in food production. Mycorena is a Sweden-based biotechnology firm that utilizes fungi to develop alternative protein ingredients.

Major companies operating in the fungal protein market are Quorn Foods, Meati Foods, Nature's Fynd, Solar Foods, MycoTechnology, 3F BIO, Sustainable Bioproducts, White Dog Labs, Prime Roots, MyForest Foods, ENOUGH, Infinite Roots, The Protein Brewery, Mycorena, Better Meat Co, Mushlabs, Libre Foods, Fybraworks Foods, Atlast Food Co, MycoWorks.

Europe was the largest region in the fungal protein market in 2025. The regions covered in the fungal protein market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the fungal protein market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The fungal protein market consists of sales of mycoproteins. 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.

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