Single Cell Protein - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2026-2031)

The single-cell protein market was valued at 12.33 billion in 2025, and is expected to grow from USD 13.12 billion in 2026 to USD 20.94 billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 9.80% over 2026-2031. This report is Segmented by Source (Algae, Yeast, Fungi, Bacteria), Application (Animal Feed and Pet Food, Food and Beverages, Dietary Supplements, Other Applications), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

Global Single Cell Protein Market Trends and Insights

Rising demand for alternative protein sources

Population growth and shifting dietary preferences are widening the global protein gap, and single-cell protein offers a land- and water-efficient solution that fits national food-security agendas in China, India, and Singapore. Import-reliant economies view microbial protein as a hedge against soybean and fishmeal volatility, while leading producers such as Angel Yeast and Calysta are reaching cost parity with traditional feed proteins at scale. Angel Yeast's AngeoPro yeast protein, with 96% protein utilization and 47% essential amino acid content, is positioned to substitute whey and soy in protein bars, cereals, and alternative meats. Singapore's Food Agency approved multiple mycoprotein and precision-fermented ingredients in 2024, enabling rapid commercialization in a market targeting 30% nutritional self-sufficiency by 2030. The convergence of food-security mandates, import-substitution policies, and consumer willingness to adopt blended meat products is accelerating procurement by multinational food companies and regional brands.

Sustainability and environmental concerns

Life-cycle studies indicate that microbial protein can cut greenhouse-gas emissions by up to 97% relative to beef, attracting companies racing to meet science-based targets. EU farm-to-fork strategies favor low-emission ingredients, and the European Food Safety Authority's 2025 positive opinion for Fermotein illustrates momentum toward carbon-negative proteins in the mainstream food supply. Steel mills and refineries are piloting LanzaTech’s CO₂-to-protein modules, turning pollution into revenue while earning carbon credits. Horizon-funded initiatives such as SynoProtein are validating forest-residue feedstocks, broadening the sustainability narrative, and strengthening the single-cell protein market. Regulatory frameworks such as the International Standard Organization's 2021 revision of "protein fibre" definitions to include synthetically produced proteins are formalizing microbial protein as a recognized ingredient category, reducing approval friction and enabling corporate sustainability commitments to translate into procurement mandates.

Competition from established soy/fishmeal proteins

Soybean meal remains the dominant protein source in livestock and aquafeed due to established supply chains, agronomic scale, and commodity pricing mechanisms. Single-cell protein must achieve cost parity or demonstrate superior functional performance (digestibility, amino acid profile, pathogen-free status) to displace incumbent ingredients in price-sensitive feed markets. Calysta's FeedKind positions itself competitively with fishmeal, but scaling beyond niche applications requires multi-year supply agreements and validation trials that delay market penetration. DSM-Firmenich's rainbow trout trials demonstrated that 20% single-cell protein inclusion performs comparably to fishmeal, yet feed formulators remain conservative in adopting novel ingredients without long-term performance data and regulatory clarity across export markets. The aquafeed market's CAGR through 2031, and single-cell protein's share will depend on securing anchor customers willing to absorb transition risk and co-invest in supply-chain integration.

Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:

• Expansion of aqua-/animal feed and pet-food industry
• Advancements in precision-fermentation technology
• Regulatory and consumer-acceptance hurdles

For complete list of drivers and restraints, kindly check the Table Of Contents.

Segment Analysis

In 2025, yeast-based single-cell protein commanded a 41.96% market share, driven by several key developments in the industry. Angel Yeast's newly commissioned 11,000-tonne-per-year facility in Yichang (operational from November 2025) significantly contributed to this growth. Additionally, Quorn's mycoprotein production capacity, which is approximately 24,000 tonnes annually, and Lallemand's extensive global portfolio of yeast extracts and nutritional products further strengthened the segment's position. Yeast protein production benefits from a combination of factors, including decades of industrial fermentation expertise, a robust and well-established downstream processing infrastructure, and widespread consumer familiarity with yeast-derived ingredients.

Bacterial protein is rapidly emerging as the fastest-growing source segment, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.71% from 2026 to 2031. This remarkable growth is primarily driven by advancements in gas-fermentation platforms, which efficiently convert carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane, and hydrogen into high-protein biomass. A notable example of this innovation is NovoNutrients, which raised USD 18 million in Series A funding in July 2024, with Woodside Energy leading the investment. This funding aims to scale NovoNutrients' CO₂-to-protein technology. These developments highlight the growing potential of bacterial proteins as a sustainable and scalable alternative in the protein market.

Complete Report Scope:

• Source
  • Algae
  • Yeast
  • Fungi
  • Bacteria
• Application
  • Animal Feed and Pet Food
  • Food and Beverages
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Other Applications
• Geography
  • North America
    • United States
    • Canada
    • Mexico
    • Rest of North America
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • United Kingdom
    • Italy
    • France
    • Spain
    • Netherlands
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia-Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • Australia
    • South Korea
    • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Rest of South America
  • Middle East and Africa
    • South Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Rest of Middle East and Africa

Geography Analysis

In 2025, Europe holds a 32.86% market share, reflecting its advanced regulatory frameworks and well-established industrial infrastructure. Countries such as the Netherlands are leading efforts with national protein strategies aimed at reducing import reliance and enhancing domestic microbial protein production. The region benefits from strong consumer acceptance of alternative proteins and sustainability-driven policies that support single-cell protein adoption. Key developments include EU approvals for novel protein sources and significant investments in fermentation capacity, such as Solar Foods' Factory01 in Finland, which produces 160 tons of Solein annually. However, Europe's growth rate lags behind that of the Asia-Pacific due to complex regulatory processes and the constraints of a mature market.

Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region, with an 11.91% CAGR projected through 2031. This growth is driven by China's advancements in biomanufacturing infrastructure and government support for protein fermentation. India's animal feed growth and consumption over recent years have also boosted market demand. Singapore has established itself as a regional innovation hub through its leadership in alternative protein regulatory approvals, enabling multiple companies to secure manufacturing licenses and novel food authorizations. Japan and South Korea are enhancing their precision fermentation capabilities through government programs and corporate investments, while Australia is implementing comprehensive strategies to commercialize alternative proteins.

North America benefits from a favorable regulatory environment and substantial venture capital investments. Companies have secured significant funding, such as NovoNutrients' USD 18 million Series A round, alongside multiple Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) approvals for microbial proteins. The region's dynamic innovation ecosystem fosters rapid commercialization through partnerships between biotech startups and established food companies. Meanwhile, South America and the Middle East and Africa are emerging as promising markets, driven by increasing protein demand and growing investment interest. For instance, Unibio secured USD 70 million from the Saudi Industrial Investment Group to expand its production capacity. These regions offer significant opportunities for Single Cell Protein adoption in animal feed and potential human nutrition markets, contingent on the development of their regulatory frameworks.

List of Companies Covered in this Report:

• Calysta
• Solar Foods
• 3FBIO Ltd.
• Unibio A/S
• Quorn Foods (Marlow Foods)
• KnipBio
• Corbion NV
• Alltech
• AngelYeast
• Cargill Inc.
• DSM-Firmenich AG
• Cyanotech Corporation
• NovoNutrients
• Deep Branch Biotech
• Kiverdi
• Mycorena
• String Bio
• Lallemand Inc.
• EniferBio (Enifer)
• The Protein Brewery

Additional Benefits:

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