Lentil Protein Market - Forecasts from 2022 to 2027

Lentil protein market size was valued at US$15.801 million in 2020. The growing interests of consumers in health-centric food and beverage consumption practices; the increased awareness of the environmental stress which is brought about by livestock farming; growing concerns about animal welfare; the growing propensity to include protein derived from plant-based sources into the diet are few of the factors that are central to the anticipated growth of lentil protein market around the world. Further, the rise of faux meat/fish facilitated by plant-based alternative proteins, among others, is a response to the growing need for clean consumption; that is, the food products that are devoid of diseases, chemicals, and high levels of pollutants are also expected to drive the lentil protein market. Moreover, the profusion of information regarding the plausible health hazards stemming from chemicals used in animal feed also influences the integration of plant-based protein ingredients into animal feed. Besides, the growing pool of consumers, which constitutes millennials, is increasingly inclined to consume products that resonate with their values. Further, to achieve economies of scale, food processing organizations are increasingly investing in product innovations requiring the utilization of plant-based protein like lentil protein, among others. These strategic initiatives not only enable them to expand their product portfolio but also facilitate the widening of their regional presence, thereby further augmenting the projected growth of the lentil protein market during the next few years.

In view of strategic initiatives, the following are deemed relevant to exemplify the extent of the developments in the lentil protein market space and provide a plausible substantiation of the aforementioned. In February 2019, it was reported that a plant-based tuna product would be made commercially available by a New York-based startup Good Catch Foods, at Whole Foods Market and Thrive Market outlets across the USA. The product development includes a six-plant protein blend, which had been made out of chickpea flour, fava protein, lentil protein, navy bean flour, pea protein isolate, soy protein isolate, and algal oil for flavor, which is also a plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids. This product development attests to almost all the growth drivers of the lentil protein market considerations, such as the protection of ocean fisheries since about 90% of the world's marine fish stocks are either depleted or overexploited, as well as the need for clean consumption since fish often contains high levels of mercury, PCBs, dioxins, and other dangerous contaminants. In May 2019, it was announced that a joint venture was formed between Burcon NutraScience Corp and an investor group called Burcon Functional Foods Corp. or Burcon Foods to fund the construction of a C$65 million ($48.4 million) facility in western Canada to produce pea protein ingredients Viz. Peazazz and Peazac pea proteins. During the same month, Burcon NutraScience Corp reportedly introduced two new ingredients called Nutratein-PS, which is essentially a blend of Peazazz pea protein and Supertein canola protein, and Nutratein-TZ, which is a blend of Peazac pea protein and Puratein canola protein.

Some of the recent strategic investments are announcing the construction of a new manufacturing facility in August 2019 to produce specialty pulse-based protein ingredients to further expandIngredion’s (NYSE: INGR) food processing capabilities to cater to the increasing demand for plant-based proteins. This strategic move would reportedly facilitate both organizations which are, Verdient Foods, Inc and Ingredion, to reportedly emerge as the reliable source that would, in turn, support manufacturers to create affordable plant-based proteins for food and beverages. This investment is followed by the joint venture between Verdient Foods and Ingredion,which was announced in December 2018. Further, in December 2019, it was announced that Ingredion had launched its pea protein isolate named VIESSENCE Pulse 1803, which would reportedly enable beverage manufacturers across EMEA to meet the demand for protein-rich products. In September 2019, a new organic vanilla cream vegan protein was announced by Z Natural Foods, which has been reportedly made out of organic pea, among others, and is devoid of any synthetic ingredient, gluten, or GMO. In June 2020, it was announced that AGT Food and Ingredients of Regina and Ulivit from Saskatoon would reportedly utilize $11.3 million from Protein Innovation Canada to process fava bean lentil and pea protein concentrates into a variety of flexitarian and vegetarian diet products that will enable them to address an increasing consumer need. The end products reportedly include high-moisture meat substitutes, non-dairy alternatives, pasta, tempeh, texturized pulse protein, and tofu. In January 2020, it was announced that Nestlé and Merit Functional Foods had entered a joint development agreement to scale up its supply of pea protein through the means of commercializing after scaling Merit Functional Foods and its technology partner, Burcon NutraScience'sportfolio of plant proteins to use the start-up’s novel ingredients in foods and beverages produced by the world's largest food company.

The European region is expected to hold a significant market share during the forecast period and facilitate a consequent lentil protein market growth during the forecast period. To this end, it is important to note that the European Commission has acknowledged in its communication titled A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy, and environmentally-friendly food system published in May 2020, that agriculture is responsible for 10.3% of the EU’s GHG emissions, and nearly 70% of same are produced by the livestock farming (animal sector). These emissions comprise non-CO2 GHG (methane and nitrous oxide). Besides, animal production utilizes 68% of the total agricultural land. To help reduce the environmental and climate impact of animal production, avoid carbon leakage through imports, and support the ongoing transition towards more sustainable livestock farming, the Commission will reportedly facilitate the inclusion and utilization of sustainable and innovative feed additives in the market. By fostering EU-grown plant proteins as well as other alternative feed materials, it will reportedly examine EU rules to aid the reduction of the dependency on critical feed materials, Viz. soy, that is grown on deforested land. Further under Horizon 2020, the commission reportedly proposes to spend EUR 10 billion on research and innovation (R&I) to facilitate the acceleration of transitioning to sustainable, healthy, and inclusive food systems from primary production to consumption. One of the key research areas has been reported to include increasing the availability and source of alternative proteins based on plants, among others. Therefore, such an international initiative will conclusively make the environment conducive for the lentil protein market growth during the forecast period.

Key Developments

• The lentil protein market has experienced remarkable developments as a result of the rising demand for healthy food options and the growing animal nutrition sector. The use of lentils to make meat and fish alternatives has also increased the market demand.
• Cargill, in a press release dated 17th May 2022, has announced plans to develop a new soybean processing plant in Hayti and Caruthersville in Pemiscot County, Missouri, to meet rising domestic and worldwide demand for oilseeds driven by the food, feed, and fuel sectors. With a 62 million bushel yearly production capability, the plant will be the first of its kind in Southeast Missouri. Cargill expects to begin ground on the project early next year, with a target completion date of 2026.
• Great Place To Work recognized Milho Ingredients as one of the greatest organizations to work in the Midwest, as reported in a release by Milhão Ingredients in 2020. This recognition was due to the high quality of work environment at Milho Ingredients, which was possible because of the workers, who work together to make Milho Ingredients a better place. Other certifications include FSSC 22000, GMO-FREE (transgenic free), Gluten-Free, WGC (integral product), Organic, Halal and Kosher.
• According to a press release by Cargill Inc dated April 21st, 2022, Cargill will enhance its Global Animal Nutrition Innovation Center's nutritional research and development capabilities to better serve agriculture and food, sector clients. It has allocated roughly US$ 50 million, which will be used to modernize animal facilities, including a new dairy innovation unit, build a larger onsite feed mill, establish a visitor's area, and construct a cutting-edge nutritional research and development laboratory.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 outbreak made a huge impact on most organizations. The world economy has been on a declining trajectory as a result of the shutdown of most major sectors. The COVID-19 pandemic also had a significant impact on the food and beverage industry. With the disruption of most major supply and production lines, the food market faced heavy shortages. Moreover, the production of the lentil market was also hampered, due to the scarcity of soil nutrients and fertilizers. The scarcity of lentils also hampered animal farms across countries. However, in order to meet the growing food demand, the market rebounded quickly enough. With governments across countries working to maintain a constant supply of food, the market reported an increase in demand. Pea, soy, and lentil proteins have also emerged as viable alternatives to meat-based proteins in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in many regions of the world. Moreover, as countries across the globe have started to relax their COVID-19 protocols, the market is anticipated to rise in demand.

Market Segmentation:

By Form

• Concentrates
• Hydrolysates
• Isolates

By Type

• Organic
• Inorganic

By Application

• Animal Feed
• Food and Beverages
• Pharmaceuticals
• Nutraceutical

By Geography

• Americas
• Europe Middle East and Africa
• Asia Pacific