Single-Cell Protein Market Report 2025

This single-cell protein market report delivers an in-depth analysis of the market’s key characteristics, including size, growth potential, and segmentation. It provides a detailed breakdown of the market across major regions and leading countries, highlighting historical data and future growth projections. The report also examines the competitive landscape, market share insights, emerging trends, and strategic developments shaping the market.

The single-cell protein market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $14.55 billion in 2024 to $16.95 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing adoption of dietary supplements, growing malnourished population around the globe, growing industrial livestock production, growing popularity of protein-rich goods, and government initiatives support sustainable food production.

The single-cell protein market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $30.89 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising animal feed sector, increasing focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expansion of applications for single-cell protein, growing consumer interest in health and wellness, and development of novel production platforms and bioreactor designs. Major trends in the forecast period include advancements in fermentation technology, adoption of sustainable and eco-friendly methods, integration of SCP in animal feed and aquaculture industries, innovations in microbial fermentation techniques, and advancements in biotechnology for enhanced protein yields.

The growth of industrial livestock production is expected to drive the expansion of the single-cell protein market. Livestock production, which involves raising animals such as cattle, pigs, and poultry for food, fiber, and other products, is essential for meeting global food demands, supporting rural economies, and providing resources such as meat, milk, and leather. It also supports the development of single-cell proteins by supplying organic waste materials such as manure and agricultural residues, which serve as substrates for microbial growth. This enables the cultivation of single-cell organisms that are used as sustainable protein sources. For example, the United States Department of Agriculture reported in February 2024 that sales of animals and animal products reached $259 billion in 2022, up from $195.8 billion in 2021. Thus, the increase in industrial livestock production is boosting the single-cell protein market.

Leading companies in the single-cell protein market are focusing on developing carbon-neutral proteins to advance sustainable food production, lower environmental impact, and address the growing demand for eco-friendly alternatives. Carbon-neutral protein production processes aim to minimize or offset carbon emissions, reducing the environmental footprint of food production. For instance, in September 2022, Solar Foods, a biotech company based in Finland, received approval from the Singapore Food Agency for Solein, a single-cell protein made from CO2, water, and electricity in a closed-loop system. Solein is produced through fermentation with hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria that convert carbon dioxide and hydrogen into a high-protein food ingredient. This method provides a sustainable alternative to traditional agriculture, as Solein has minimal environmental impact, requires no conventional agricultural inputs, and boasts a protein content of 65-70%. Additionally, it is allergen-free, making it suitable for those with dietary restrictions.

In December 2023, Lallemand Inc., a food and beverage manufacturing company based in Canada, acquired Danstar Ferment AG, a subsidiary of Swiss biotechnology firm Evolva AG, for $23.5 million. This acquisition is intended to boost Lallemand's research and development capabilities and enhance its presence in Switzerland. Lallemand plans to leverage Evolva's precision fermentation technology, research and development expertise, and innovation pipeline to expand its global reach in the sustainable, yeast-based ingredient market. Evolva, based in Switzerland, focuses on researching, developing, and commercializing single-cell proteins, particularly natural yeast ingredients.

Major companies operating in the single-cell protein market are Cargill Incorporated, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Evonik Industries AG, Koninklijke DSM N.V., Nutreco N.V., Green Plains Inc., GNC Holdings Inc., Novozymes A/S, Angel Yeast Co. Ltd., Lallemand Inc., Chr. Hansen Holding A/S, Marlow Foods Ltd., Cyanotech Corporation, Novus Biologicals LLC, TerraVia Holdings Inc., Calysta Inc., Algatechnologies Ltd, Mara Renewables Corporation, KnipBio Inc., Deep Branch Biotechnology Ltd., Solar Foods, BioProcess Algae LLC, Blue Bio Tech International GmbH, Unibio A/S, Willows Ingredients Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the single-cell protein market in 2024. The regions covered in the single-cell protein market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the single-cell protein market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Single-cell protein (SCP) refers to protein extracted from the biomass of microbial cells, including bacteria, algae, yeast, and fungi. These microorganisms are cultivated through fermentation processes using substrates such as waste materials, carbon dioxide, or organic compounds. SCP provides a sustainable protein source, requiring less land, water, and time compared to traditional agriculture.

The primary species in the single-cell protein market are algae, fungi, bacteria, and yeast. Algae-based single-cell proteins come from various types of algae, such as chlorella and spirulina. The feedstock types include both organic and conventional sources, and SCP applications span food and beverages, dietary supplements, animal feed, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and more.

The single-cell protein market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides single-cell protein market statistics, including single-cell protein industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a single-cell protein market share, detailed single-cell protein market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the single-cell protein industry. This single-cell protein market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The single-cell protein market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as microbial strain development, fermentation process optimization, downstream processing, and quality control. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The single-cell protein market also includes sales of protein-rich supplements, animal feed, and alternative food ingredients. 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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