United Kingdom Whey Protein Concentrate Market Outlook - Forecast Trends, Market Size, Share and Growth Analysis Report (2025-2034)

The United Kingdom whey protein concentrate market was valued at 66.18 KMT in 2024. The market is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.30% from 2025 to 2034, potentially reaching 91.57 KMT by 2034.

United Kingdom Whey Protein Concentrate Market Growth

The growth of the United Kingdom whey protein concentrate industry is being driven by the rising concerns over undernourishment and malnourishment in the country. According to a 2022 survey by the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN), 45% of all UK adults screened across health and care settings were found to be at risk of disease-related malnutrition, the highest rate in the past three years. Whey protein concentrates can play a significant role in decreasing these figures with their high nutritional value and appealing flavour palate.

This can be further supported by the rising disposable income of residents, enabling them to purchase additional supplements to meet their basic nutritional needs. Besides, high-income individuals and families are likely to be drawn to investing in premium quality and branded whey protein concentrates, which not only offer high nutritional value but also help meet their overall health and fitness goals. In 2022, the gross disposable income in the UK grew by 6.3% compared to 2021, leading to a higher whey protein concentrate demand in the region.

Key Trends and Recent Developments

The development of cost-effective products, new flavour innovations, and mergers and acquisitions between key brands are driving the United Kingdom whey protein concentrate market revenue.

October 2024

Myprotein, one of the major United Kingdom whey protein concentrate market key players, has formed a new retail partnership with Holland & Barrett stores, the largest supermarket chain in the country. As a result, the brand launched 30 new product lines in these stores, including five exclusive items in its Origins collection. The products were launched online on the brand's website.

January 2024

UK-based Myprotein introduced its new whey protein powder, “Whey Fwrd” in the European markets, following its successful launch in the US a year earlier. The product features Perfect Day’s unique animal-free whey protein as the primary ingredient. The launch was accompanied by a rebranding of the product.

November 2023

Netherlands-based FrieslandCampina Ingredients launched Nutri Whey ProHeat, a heat-stable whey protein with appealing sensory properties such as low viscosity, neutral pH, and a clean taste. The product was developed using the latest microparticulation technology specifically designed to cater to the medical nutrition market.

September 2022

First Milk partnered with Arla Foods Ingredients to produce a speciality whey protein concentrate powder, Nutrilac FO-7875, at its Lake District Creamery in Northwestern England. The patented product was developed to enhance the protein content in food and drink items while retaining their texture and taste.

Cost-effective and affordable products are impacting the United Kingdom whey protein concentrate industry revenue

The whey protein concentrate demand is highly competitive, driving market players to develop affordable and cost-effective products. This will help them gain a larger consumer base in the long term, thereby increasing the overall market growth. Reflecting this trend, Aldi, a popular whey protein brand in the UK launched Activ Max Whey Protein Powder which was available to shoppers at EUR 12.99 only. The product weighed 500 grams and was available in two delicious flavours, Vanilla, and Chocolate.

New flavour Innovations are leading to the United Kingdom whey protein concentrate market development

New flavour innovations are encouraging consumers to explore unconventional whey protein products, thereby leading to the United Kingdom whey protein concentrate market growth in the long term. In this context, market players are either manufacturing products with bold and controversial flavours such as matcha or pairing the traditional flavours of chocolate and vanilla with exotic options such as salted caramel, cookies, and cream, and fruit-based flavours like berry and tropical blends. Mars Chocolate Drinks and Treats, a leading snack brand in the United Kingdom, expanded its product line with the introduction of Chocolate M&M’s Hi Protein whey protein powder in July 2021.

Preference for organic whey protein products is a significant trend in the United Kingdom whey protein concentrate market

Growing health concerns and changing food consumption patterns are leading to the popularity of organic whey protein concentrate products in the country. These products are completely natural in origin, free from synthetic additives that have harmful impacts on health and lead to the depletion of product quality. For instance, in March 2022, Arla Foods launched two new organic products for early-life nutrition, one of which was the Lacprodan IF-7390 Organic, a whey protein concentrate produced from organic whey. The product gained significant popularity among infants and adults globally.

Mergers and acquisitions are increasing the United Kingdom whey protein concentrate market value

Mergers and acquisitions are shaping the United Kingdom whey protein concentrate market dynamics and trends, enabling key brands to expand their business profiles, product portfolios, and consumer base across the country. Such strategic moves have an extremely positive impact on the growth of the market. For instance, in November 2024, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority approved the acquisition of Volac’s whey nutrition business by the leading brand, Arla Foods Ingredients to expand the latter’s sports nutrition portfolio.

United Kingdom Whey Protein Concentrate Market Trends

Introduction of fermentation as an innovative production method is creating new opportunities in the United Kingdom whey protein concentrate market

Fermentation is being introduced as a new production method by several whey protein brands owing to its sustainability, efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. This process involves the use of microorganisms to convert raw materials into protein over traditional production methods. Contributing to this trend, Vivici, a key market player, launched its first nature-equivalent whey protein from fermentation in February 2024. The product had immense health benefits and was rich in essential amino acids, besides being free from lactose, cholesterol, hormones, as well as antibiotics.

United Kingdom Whey Protein Concentrate Industry Segmentation

The report titled United Kingdom Whey Protein Concentrate Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Nature

• Conventional
• Organic

Market Breakup by Composition

• WPC 30%-50%
• WPC 50%-80%
• Others

Market Breakup by End Use

• Infant Formula and Baby Foods
• Dietary Supplements
• Food Processing
• Sports Nutrition
• Beverages
• Others

Market Breakup by Distribution Channel

• Online
• Offline

Market Breakup by Region

• England
• Wales
• Northern Ireland
• Scotland

United Kingdom Whey Protein Concentrate Market Share

The increasingly ageing population is fuelling the conventional whey protein concentrate demand growth

Industry reports indicate that the United Kingdom has the highest population of elderly individuals globally, with over 10 million or more than 18% of the total population aged above 65 years by the end of 2023. The ageing population is driving the whey protein concentrate demand due to its benefits in muscle health, bone density, weight management, cognitive function, and overall wellness. Its convenience and nutritional support makes it an appealing supplement for older adults.

Additionally, the demand for organic whey protein concentrate products is also surging due to the preference for plant-based diets among the growing vegan and vegetarian population in the country, which accounted for 2% and 10% of the total population in 2024 respectively. Their changing food consumption patterns are creating new demand for organic whey protein products certified by relevant and reliable institutions.

Infant formula and baby foods are driving whey protein concentrate consumption in the United Kingdom driven by rising birth rate

Rising birth rate is increasing the consumption of baby foods in the country, thereby creating a huge demand in the whey protein concentrate market. In 2022, England and Wales together witnessed 605,479 live births in 2022, followed by 624,828 live births in the previous year. As the trend continues, the requirement for whey protein concentrates with high nutritional values is expected to rise in the United Kingdom. Whey protein concentrates are added to baby foods to enhance their nutritional profile, providing a balanced diet to babies in the absence of traditionally consumed solid food.

Additionally, the food processing industry witnessing a significant demand for whey protein concentrates, especially in flavoured formats, to enhance both the nutritional value and palate appeal of processed food and beverage products. According to the US Department of Agriculture, the UK’s food processing industry was valued at USD 168 billion in 2023, driven by increased output in the food manufacturing sector. As the industry further expands, the demand for whey protein concentrates is expected to surge, raising the overall United Kingdom whey protein concentrate market value.

Rise of online e-commerce platforms, coupled with the convenience of doorstep deliveries, is driving the growth of the United Kingdom whey protein concentrate industry.

The expansion of e-commerce platforms in the country, coupled with the consumer preference for online shopping, is resulting in the increased online sale of whey protein concentrate products. Online purchases are highly preferred by consumers owing to the convenience of doorstep deliveries, discounts offered by dealers, and hassle-free return and exchange policies. According to the International Trade Administration, e-commerce sales in the United Kingdom accounted for 36.3% of the total sales in the country’s retail market as of January 2021. The organisation further projected the e-commerce market to grow at a CAGR of 12.6% by 2025. This is further expected to raise the online segment of United Kingdom whey protein concentrate market over the long term.

United Kingdom Whey Protein Concentrate Market Regional Analysis

England’s growing sports sector is fuelling the United Kingdom whey protein concentrate market growth

England boasts a robust and dynamic sports industry, which, according to government estimates, contributed £99.6 billion of direct economic output to the country’s gross value added (GVA) in 2021. This makes it a key driver for the United Kingdom whey protein concentrate market growth. Players and fitness enthusiasts often consume whey protein concentrate products for additional nutritional and energy values they need to compensate for their higher metabolism rates. Most of these individuals prefer sports drinks, protein bars, and shakes for this purpose.

Besides, the food and drinks industry in Wales is also driving the region’s whey protein concentrate industry growth due to its wide applications in the food processing sector. The Welsh government recently announced its target to increase the value of the country’s food chain to at least £8.5 billion by 2025. As per the latest reports, the number of food businesses in Wales increased by 1%, to 28,768 in 2023. These trends are expected to increase the overall whey protein concentrate demand in the United Kingdom to new levels.

Competitive Landscape

The United Kingdom whey protein concentrate market key players are expanding their scope across several industries to raise their revenue-generating potential. These industries include the food and beverages, sports, and dietary supplements market.

Arla Foods amba

Established in the 1880s, Arla Foods amba is headquartered in Vibe, Denmark. It is the fifth-largest dairy producer globally and is operated as a cooperative, with over 12,500 dairy farmers from seven European countries. The company is a leading player in the development of quality dairy products with 100% natural ingredients and no added preservatives.

Royal FrieslandCampina N.V.

Headquartered in Amersfoort, Netherlands, Friesland Campina operates as an international dairy cooperative with members from the farming community across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. The company produces nutritious and affordable dairy products in 29 countries and serves customers in more than 100 countries globally.

Kerry Group Plc

Kerry Group Plc has been active in manufacturing, with its product portfolio primarily consisting of food ingredients, food products, beverages, and pharmaceutical ingredients. The company has over 137 production sites across 35 countries globally in addition to 70 R&D centres and a consumer reach of 1.25 billion.

Glanbia Plc

Founded in 1997, Glanbia Plc is headquartered in Kilkenny, Ireland. It is a global leader in the nutrition industry and hosts several consumer brands, primarily in the sports nutrition and protein supplements categories. Its specialities include whey proteins, performance nutrition, dairy ingredients, micronutrient premix solutions and more.

Other key players considered in the United Kingdom whey protein concentrate market report are Volac International Ltd., Lactoprot Deutschland GmbH, RealFoodSource Ltd., KBF Enterprises Ltd., and Torq Ltd., among others.