Edible Insect Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Edible Insect Market is projected to expand from USD 1.17 Billion in 2025 to USD 2.52 Billion by 2031, reflecting a CAGR of 13.64%. This sector encompasses the breeding, processing, and distribution of species such as mealworms, crickets, and black soldier flies, intended either for direct human consumption or as protein-dense ingredients in food products. The industry is primarily propelled by the urgent global demand for sustainable protein alternatives that require considerably less land and water than conventional livestock, alongside the superior feed-to-food conversion efficiency of insects. These fundamental drivers are distinct from fleeting consumer trends and highlight the sector's potential to address enduring challenges related to environmental resources and food security.

However, the market confronts substantial hurdles due to complex regulatory environments and persistent consumer hesitancy in Western regions where entomophagy is not culturally ingrained. Despite these challenges, the industry is witnessing robust commercial momentum and increasing professional engagement. For instance, the UK Edible Insect Association reported a 30% surge in membership leading up to its annual sector conference in 2024. This significant growth in industry representation suggests that a growing number of enterprises are entering the market to leverage the rising commercial viability of insect-based nutrition.

Market Drivers

A primary engine for market expansion is the escalating requirement for sustainable animal feed and pet nutrition. Manufacturers are actively replacing traditional soy and fishmeal with insect protein to reduce carbon footprints and insulate supply chains against agricultural volatility. This transition is especially evident in the aquaculture and pet food sectors, where black soldier fly larvae are valued for their high protein density and functional health benefits. To satisfy this industrial-scale demand, companies are aggressively expanding production capacities; for example, Bioflytech announced in March 2024 the commencement of operations at a new facility designed to produce 12,000 tonnes of fresh black soldier fly larvae annually, a move essential for transforming insect protein from a niche additive into a global staple commodity.

Simultaneously, accelerated investment and market entry by major players are driving the commercialization of insect-based technologies. Venture capital and strategic partnerships are funding the development of automated rearing systems required to achieve price parity with conventional proteins. This financial support validates the sector's long-term viability and facilitates the construction of larger, more efficient infrastructure, as seen in Nasekomo's January 2024 announcement of securing €8 million in Series A funding to deploy robotized farming solutions across Europe. Beyond financial influxes, regulatory progress is further incentivizing global trade; in 2024, the Singapore Food Agency approved 16 specific insect species for human consumption, effectively opening a critical gateway for retail and import opportunities in the Asian market.

Market Challenges

Complex regulatory frameworks present a formidable barrier to the international integration and scalability of the Global Edible Insect Market. Unlike traditional livestock sectors that benefit from harmonized international trade standards, the insect industry operates within a fragmented legal landscape where approval processes differ drastically across jurisdictions. This inconsistency imposes high barriers to entry for manufacturers, who must navigate disparate safety standards, labeling requirements, and species authorization lists for each new market, thereby preventing the establishment of efficient global supply chains and stalling the mass production capabilities needed to compete with conventional protein sources on availability and price.

This legislative void directly impedes commercial momentum by creating operational uncertainty and restricting export opportunities. Data from the Asian Food and Feed Insect Association in 2024 indicates that approximately 70% of countries worldwide still lack defined regulatory frameworks for insect feed. This significant governance gap means that in the majority of potential markets, companies are legally barred from distributing their products or face prohibitive compliance ambiguities. Consequently, the industry is forced to operate in isolated regional pockets rather than as a cohesive global market, stifling the investment and distribution networks necessary for substantial sector growth.

Market Trends

The adoption of "industrial symbiosis" is reshaping facility designs through the Integration of Insect Bioconversion Models for Circular Economy Waste Valorization. Manufacturers are increasingly co-locating rearing plants with agricultural processing sites to pipe low-value by-products directly into insect operations, thereby eliminating transport costs and ensuring consistent feedstock. This localized integration maximizes resource efficiency by converting agricultural residues into high-value protein and fertilizer without additional carbon emissions from logistics; notably, Innovafeed announced in April 2024 the opening of a North American facility physically connected to a corn processing complex, allowing for the direct recovery of up to 300,000 tons of agricultural by-products annually.

concurrently, the development of specialized functional foods is being driven by the Emergence of Insect-Based Ingredients in Sports Nutrition and Elderly Care Products. Brands are capitalizing on the high digestibility and rich amino acid profiles of insect protein isolates to target performance-focused consumers who prioritize nutritional efficacy over cultural norms. This shift toward functional benefits helps mitigate consumer neophobia by presenting insect content as a refined, performance-enhancing ingredient rather than a novelty item. According to a March 2024 report by the International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed (IPIFF), 71% of European consumers surveyed expressed a willingness to consume sports supplements enriched with insect ingredients, citing their vitamin and mineral content as a primary motivator.

Key Players Profiled in the Edible Insect Market

• Ynsect
• Aspire Food Group
• Xiamen Water Life Imp. & Exp. Co. Ltd.
• Beta Hatch
• Fluker's Cricket Farm
• Entomo Farms
• Invertapro AS
• Enviroflight
• Insecteo
• Kreca Ento-Feed BV

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Edible Insect Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Edible Insect Market, by Insect Type:

• Crickets
• Beetles
• Mealworms
• Grasshoppers
• Ants
• Silkworms
• Cicadas
• Others

Edible Insect Market, by Application:

• Human Consumption Products
• Animal Nutrition
• Insect Oil
• Pharmaceuticals
• Cosmetics
• Personal Care
• Others

Edible Insect Market, by Insect Category:

• Regular Insects
• Premium Diet-Fed Insects

Edible Insect Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Edible Insect Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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