Pea Starch - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2026-2031)

The pea starch market size was valued at USD 194.32 million in 2025 and estimated to grow from USD 209.16 million in 2026 to reach USD 302.18 million by 2031, at a CAGR of 7.64% during the forecast period (2026-2031). This report is Segmented by Type (Native Starch and Modified Starch), Source (Organic and Conventional), Application (Food and Beverage, Animal Feed and Pet Food, Personal Care and Cosmetics, and More), and Geography (North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

Global Pea Starch Market Trends and Insights

Rising demand for plant-based proteins and ingredients

As consumers increasingly gravitate towards plant-based options, demand for functional ingredients that mimic animal-derived properties has surged. The FDA's GRAS designation for several pea-derived ingredients has spurred their mainstream adoption, bolstered by positive assessments from the EFSA, paving the way for a broader European market presence. This regulatory endorsement enables manufacturers to modify existing products with minimal bureaucratic hurdles. The trend isn't just about consumption; it's about the functionality of ingredients. For instance, pea starch's binding and texturizing capabilities are pivotal in crafting plant-based meat alternatives. Recent strides in this domain include Roquette's March 2024 expansion of its NUTRALYS range, focusing on specialized pea starch derivatives to enhance gel strength and modify texture. This synergy of consumer demand, regulatory backing, and technical advancements fuels a robust market growth, transcending typical commodity cycles.

Increased use in animal feed and pet food

Driven by sustainability concerns and the need for supply chain diversification, the animal nutrition sector is increasingly turning to pea-derived ingredients as alternatives to traditional protein and carbohydrate sources. Additionally, the growing number of animal farms and animals is further driving the consumption of animal feed, creating new opportunities for players to develop animal feed with pea starch that offers functional benefits for growth. For instance, Godrej Agrovet Limited sold about 1.5 million tons of animal feed in the financial year 2023 (2022: 1.36 million tons). Research from ADM reveals that dogs and cats digest plant proteins in a manner similar to animal proteins, challenging long-standing beliefs about pet nutrition. This scientific endorsement paves the way for significant market opportunities, particularly as pet owners increasingly opt for sustainable and hypoallergenic options. Regulatory bodies in key markets are backing this growth, with feed safety authorities endorsing pea starch as a valid ingredient for pet nutrition. Innovations in processing enable manufacturers to enhance the properties of pea starch, tailoring them for animal nutrition by boosting palatability and digestibility. The sector's expansion is further fueled by the premiumization trend in pet food, where plant-based ingredients fetch higher margins than traditional feed.

Competition from other starches

Established sources, such as corn and potatoes, with their mature supply chains and economies of scale, dominate the starch market. This dominance exerts pricing pressure on pea starch across various applications. Corn starch, with its commodity pricing and broad availability, poses a significant challenge to pea starch, particularly in cost-sensitive applications such as industrial adhesives and textile sizing. The growing production of corn, in comparison to peas, further supports corn's status as an affordable raw material. According to the US Department of Agriculture, in 2024/2025, India's corn production volume reached about 38 million metric tons. In contrast, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (India) reported India's production volume of tur or pigeon pea at around 3 million metric tons in the financial year 2024. Regional competitive dynamics show that Asia-Pacific markets, backed by established supplier relationships and processing infrastructure, heavily favor these dominant starch sources. However, pea starch finds its niche in applications where its unique functional properties or clean-label appeal justify a premium price. Trade disputes, such as the PURIS petition regarding Chinese dumping practices, further complicate the landscape by affecting pea protein imports and altering competitive dynamics. Additionally, rival starch sources are investing in modification technologies to replicate the functional benefits of pea starch.

Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:

• Functional properties in food and beverage applications
• Innovation in personal care and cosmetics
• Raw material supply fluctuations

Segment Analysis

In 2025, native starch captures a commanding 82.12% of the market, underscoring its widespread use in both food and industrial sectors. This preference aligns with the rising clean-label trend, emphasizing minimal processing. Native starch's market dominance is bolstered by its cost-effectiveness and a more straightforward regulatory pathway, often facing less scrutiny than its chemically modified counterparts. On the other hand, while modified starch holds a smaller slice of the market, it's on a rapid ascent, boasting a 9.38% CAGR projected through 2031. This surge is fueled by niche applications that demand superior functional properties. Innovations in modification techniques, particularly enzymatic and physical methods, enable processors to craft bespoke starch derivatives, thereby avoiding the use of chemical additives. The regulatory environment is favorable for both native and modified starches. The FDA's GRAS recognition applies to various forms of pea starch, whereas the EFSA guides applications in Europe. Meanwhile, advancements in processing technologies allow manufacturers to not only refine native starch extraction but also to innovate modified variants for high-end applications. This dual approach enables portfolio diversification, striking a balance between volume and profit margins.

Within the modified starch segment, cross-linked and acetylated pea starches are emerging as prime candidates, especially for uses that demand better freeze-thaw stability and superior binding characteristics. Responding to the rising appetite for certified organic ingredients in upscale food products, there's a notable push towards developing organic modified pea starches. Patent filings highlight a vibrant landscape of innovation in modification techniques, spotlighting fresh methods aimed at bolstering gel strength and thermal stability, all while maintaining a clean-label appeal.

Complete Report Scope:

• By Type
  • Native Starch
  • Modified Starch
• By Source
  • Organic
  • Conventional
• By Application
  • Food and Beverage
    • Bakery Products
    • Soups and Sauces
    • Snacks and Cereals
    • Meat and Meat Products
    • Dairy
    • Other Food and Beverage Applications
  • Animal Feed and Pet Food
  • Personal Care and Cosmetics
  • Others
• By Geography
  • North America
    • United States
    • Canada
    • Mexico
    • Rest of North America
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Rest of South America
  • Europe
    • United Kingdom
    • Germany
    • France
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Russia
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia-Pacific
    • China
    • Japan
    • India
    • Thailand
    • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  • Middle East and Africa
    • United Arab Emirates
    • South Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Rest of Middle East and Africa

Geography Analysis

In 2025, North America held a 32.05% share of the pea starch market, largely due to its proximity to major pulse fields and advanced wet-milling facilities that streamline freight and conversion costs. The region's long-standing GRAS status eases compliance across diverse industries, facilitating quicker iterations of products. Capital investments remain robust, exemplified by Ingredion’s USD 50 million upgrade in Cedar Rapids in February 2025, which boosted specialty starch line throughput. Yet, with droughts leading to reduced acreage, the region's supply vulnerability comes to the fore, prompting research and development into drought-resistant pea varieties, a move poised to enhance regional resilience in the long run.

Asia-Pacific emerges as the fastest-growing market, boasting a 12.08% CAGR, driven by swift industrialization in food processing and a burgeoning middle class with disposable income. In China, chilled-food producers are turning to pea starch as a gluten-free thickener in delicatessen items, aligning with urban health trends. India's late 2024 rollout of the FSSAI vegan-logo framework provides brand owners with a regulatory foundation for plant-based products. Concurrently, domestic firms are establishing small-scale extraction plants to meet surging local demand. Both Thailand and Vietnam are riding the investment wave, eyeing both regional consumption and export opportunities in ready-meal kits.

Europe witnesses steady growth, largely steered by policy initiatives. Circular-economy mandates and innovations, like Lantmännen and Ingredion’s planned EUR 100 million facility for European pea isolate production by 2027, underscore this trend. The continent's rigorous sustainability and traceability standards act as a deterrent to opportunistic imports, inadvertently bolstering local producers. Meanwhile, South America and the Middle East and Africa, though still in the early stages, are showing a growing interest, especially from beverage thickener suppliers and halal-certified confectionery brands in pursuit of clean-label ingredients.

List of Companies Covered in this Report:

• Roquette Frères
• Ingredion Incorporated
• Groupe Emsland
• Cosucra Groupe Warcoing
• The Scoular Company
• Puris Foods
• Cargill Inc.
• Tate & Lyle PLC
• AGT Food & Ingredients
• Nutri-Pea Ltd.
• Yantai Shuangta Food Co. Ltd
• Vestkorn Milling AS
• Meelunie BV
• Avebe UA
• ADM
• Dakota Dry Bean
• P&H Milling Group
• Glanbia Nutritionals
• Farbest Brands
• Ebro Foods SA

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support