TEXTURED VEGETABLE PROTEIN MARKET ANALYSIS

Textured Vegetable Protein Market Size and Trends

The textured vegetable protein market is estimated to be valued at USD 3.58 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 5.94 Bn by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5% from 2024 to 2031.

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The demand for plant-based and innovative meat alternatives is increasing globally due to rising health awareness and sustainability concerns. Consumers are shifting towards vegan and flexitarian diets which is driving the sales of textured vegetable protein. Major players are investing in new product launches with improved taste, texture, and nutritional profile to appeal mainstream consumers. The growing food processing and fast food industry is also augmenting the utilization of textured vegetable protein across various food applications. However, pricing pressures due to rising input costs can hamper the market growth over the short term.

Rising health and wellness trend among consumers

One of the major drivers for the growth of the textured vegetable protein market is the rising health and wellness trend among consumers globally. There is a growing awareness about the importance of protein in the diet and its various health benefits. However, at the same time, there is also a rising preference for plant-based or vegan protein sources due to various factors like ethical concerns about animal agriculture, environmental sustainability goals, and desire to reduce meat consumption. Textured vegetable proteins are emerging as a versatile alternative to meat as they are high in protein but are free from cholesterol, lactose, or other animal-based compounds.

Soy, wheat and pea are some of the most commonly used vegetable sources for producing textured vegetable protein. The final product takes the form of chunks, strips, flour, or granules that can be easily incorporated into various food dishes as a meat substitute. Due to their neutral taste and texture, they can mimic chicken, beef or pork in meals. This makes textured vegetable protein a very appealing option for both vegetarians as well as non-vegetarians who want to incorporate more plant-based proteins in their diet. The market has responded to this demand by introducing innovative new types of textured vegetable proteins made from plant-based sources that are high in protein but low in unhealthy additives or processes.

Market Concentration and Competitive Landscape

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Rising vegan & flexitarian population

The rising health consciousness among people around the world coupled with growing awareness about the environmental impact of meat consumption is driving more individuals to adopt vegan and flexitarian diets.

This paradigm shift towards plant-based eating has significant implications for the textured vegetable protein market. Textured vegetable proteins such as soy, wheat, and pea proteins are increasingly becoming popular alternatives to meat as they can mimic meat fibers and textures when processed. Food manufacturers are proactively developing vegan meat analogues and other meat substitutes using textured vegetable proteins to cater to the dynamic preferences of modern consumers. For instance, according to the UN's  Food and Agricultural Organization (2020), over 50% of EU consumers try to limit their meat intake and one in six EU citizens self-identify as flexitarian.

Key Takeaways from Analyst:

The textured vegetable protein market continues to grow steadily driven by the increasing global demand for plant-based meat alternatives. Major drivers of growth include concerns over health issues related to red meat consumption as well as environmental sustainability factors. Consumer awareness of these issues is expanding globally and driving new product innovation particularly in developed markets in North America and Western Europe.

The North America region currently dominates production and consumption. However, Asia Pacific and Europe are expected to experience some of the fastest growth over the next five years as major manufacturers increasingly target developed Western markets. Overall the market outlook remains positive given penetration into new product categories beyond burger patties and consumer demand for plant-based diets continues to rise globally driven by health, sustainability and ethical factors.

Expansion of product offerings into popular Asian cuisines could unlock significant growth opportunities in Asi Pacific while improved taste and texture will be important for driving adoption among European consumers.

Market Challenges: High prices of textured vegetable proteins

The high prices of textured vegetable proteins is significantly restraining the growth potential of the textured vegetable protein market. While textured vegetable proteins are positioned as affordable alternative proteins to meat, the prices of key TVP ingredients like soy, wheat and pea have risen substantially over the past few years.

Market Opportunities: Developing new product lines of textured vegetable proteins

Developing new product lines of textured vegetable proteins could provide great opportunities for companies in this expanding market. As consumer preference shifts towards more plant-based, sustainable protein options, textured vegetable proteins are well-positioned to fill this demand. Product innovation that keeps up with evolving tastes will be key to future growth. New variations in flavors, textures, and formats have the potential to attract both health-conscious consumers looking to cut back on meat as well as flexitarians interested in occasional meat-free alternatives.  Launching textured proteins designed to directly replace specific meats could drive further market expansion. For example, developing texture profiles and seasoning to mimic bacon bits or ground beef crumbles would allow plant-proteins to slot easily into favorite recipes. As population growth increases the need for resource-efficient proteins, products tailored after widely consumed meat staples may appeal to cost- and environment-conscious new customers.

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Insights by Product Type:  The Dominant Force in the Product Type Segment

Textured soy protein is by far the largest product type segment within the textured vegetable protein market. This segment is expected to account for 43.3% of the market share in 2024. There are several key reasons for its market dominance. First, soy is one of the most widely grown and available legumes globally. As a result, soy protein is inexpensive and easy to source for manufacturers. The abundant supply of soy keeps production costs low, allowing textured soy protein to be very competitively priced.

In addition, soy protein provides functionality that is well-suited for texturization. Its protein content and amino acid profile allows it to hold its shape and mimic meat fibers after undergoing extrusion processing. This meat-like texture makes textured soy protein a versatile ingredient that can be used as a beef or pork substitute in products like patties, crumbles, and grounds. Manufacturers appreciate its ability to seamlessly replace meat while retaining a similar mouthfeel and cooking characteristics. Perhaps most importantly, consumers have grown accustomed to seeing soy as a healthy protein source. Numerous studies have shown soy protein can help reduce cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease and cancer. Textured soy protein manufacturers actively promote these nutritional benefits. As more people focus on wellness and reducing meat consumption, soy protein plays into important consumer megatrends surrounding sustainability and healthy eating. Its clean label as a simple, plant-based protein resonates strongly with today's health-conscious buyers.

Insights by Application: The Primary Application Segment for Textured Vegetable Proteins

Within the application segment of the textured vegetable protein market, the food products segment is expected to contribute vastly more sales and volume than any other segment such as animal nutrition with 68.7% of the market share in 2024. There are a few underlying dynamics influencing textured proteins' prevalence in the human food supply.  First, as the global population expands, there is increased demand for alternative, inexpensive sources of protein. Textured soy, wheat, and pea proteins can be formulated into a wide variety of supermarket staples like veggie burgers, sausages, ground meat replacements, and packaged meals. These products appeal to both vegetarians seeking non-meat options and meat-eaters looking to diversify protein sources or “flex” between plant-based and animal proteins.

Additionally, food processors have shown great innovation in masking the bean or grain-like flavors of textured proteins. Through techniques such extrusion cooking and flavor encapsulation, textured proteins can mimic meat textures, colors, and tastes very convincingly. This allows them to serve as discreet meat substitutes or extenders in foods without compromising flavor. As more consumers lead busy lives, pre-made foods containing textured proteins as ingredients provide nutrition and convenience. Sustainability also drives the use of textured vegetable proteins in human diets. As the environmental and ethical costs of industrial meat production gain scrutiny, plant-based meat alternatives are gaining a following among the growing number of eco-conscious shoppers. Textured soy, wheat, and pea proteins are marketed for their light land usage compared to beef or pork. Food companies touting “sustainable protein” messages will continue promoting these attributes.

Regional Insights

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North America has established itself as the dominant region in the global textured vegetable protein market. The region is expected to account for 35.5% of the market share in 2024. The large presence of leading manufacturers along with robust industry infrastructure and inputs availability have powered the region's supremacy. Major players have their headquarters and manufacturing facilities well-entrenched here, allowing them to address the large domestic demand as well as tap growth opportunities in other key markets. Additionally, North America is one of the largest producers and exporters of soy and wheat, which are the primary raw materials used for producing textured vegetable protein. The low-cost and easy access to raw materials provide manufacturing competitiveness to companies operating here.

One of the fastest growing regions for textured vegetable protein is Asia Pacific. Rapid urbanization, rising health consciousness, and increasing adoption of vegetarian and flexitarian diets have been driving the protein demand across many countries in the region. The region is home to nearly 60% of the world's population including two most populous nations - China and India. Both these markets have shown strong year-on-year growth momentum. The pricing of textured vegetable protein products is also relatively affordable for the masses in Asia Pacific countries compared to animal-based alternatives. Many local and international brands have been leveraging the growth opportunities by introducing new product varieties, expanding distributions networks, and raising marketing spend. The region's rising exports, driven mainly by India and China, indicate its prominence as a future global sourcing hub. The ongoing trade negotiations could potentially provide further impetus to the intra-regional and global trade activities involving textured vegetable proteins.

Market Report Scope

Textured Vegetable Protein Industry News

• In February 2022, MGP Ingredients Inc., a leading provider of specialty proteins and starches, announced that it would build a technologically-advanced extrusion plant to produce its ProTerra line of texturized proteins. The new plant will be located adjacent to the company’s existing Atchison, Kansas, plant. Once online in late 2023, the new extrusion plant is expected to produce up to 10 million pounds of ProTerra per year.
• In 2022, DSM launched the world’s first textured vegetable protein that is a complete protein, soy-free and gluten-free
• In 2021, Archer Daniels Midland Company acquired Sojaprotein, a Serbia-based non-GMO vegetable protein ingredients manufacturer having sales in over 65 countries globally. The acquisition was undertaken to strengthen the former’s production capability in the protein ingredients space and also to gain a strong foothold in Eastern Europe.

*Definition: The textured vegetable protein market involves products made from soy, wheat, or pea proteins that are textured or structured to resemble meat or animal products such as chicken, beef, or fish. These textured vegetable proteins are used as meat substitutes or extenders in foods like soups, stews, casseroles, and vegetarian foods. They provide protein and texture to support growing demand for meat alternatives from health-conscious and vegetarian consumers. Textured vegetable proteins help meet this demand through their ability to mimic popular meat dishes while using plant-based ingredients.

Market Segmentation

• Product Type Insights (Revenue, USD Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Textured Soy Protein
  • Textured Wheat Protein
  • Textured Pea Protein
  • Other Types
•  Application Insights (Revenue, USD Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Food Products
  • Animal Nutrition/ Pet Food
• Regional Insights (Revenue, USD Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • North America
    • U.S.
    • Canada
  • Latin America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Mexico
    • Rest of Latin America
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • U.K.
    • Spain
    • France
    • Italy
    • Russia
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • Australia
    • South Korea
    • ASEAN
    • Rest of Asia Pacific
  • Middle East & Africa
    • GCC Countries
    • Israel
    • Rest of Middle East & Africa
• Key Players Insights
  • Archer Daniels Midland Company
  • International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
  • Cargill
  • Südzucker AG
  • MGP Ingredients Inc
  • Roquette Frères
  • Shandong Yuxin Biotechnology Co., Ltd 
  • Crown Soya Protein Group Company
  • The Scoular Company
  •  Axiom Foods, Inc. 
  • AGT Food and Ingredients
  • DuPont
  • DSM
  • PURIS
  • BENEO
  • Kansas Protein Foods LLC
  •  Foodchem International Corporation
  • Dacsa Group 
  • VestKorn 
  • Wilmar International