Edible Insects Market Size to Reach New Heights by 2033, Driven by Sustainable Protein Demand and Rising Consumer Awareness

According to the latest report by Straits Research, the global edible insects market size is estimated at USD 1.95 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 5.91 billion by 2033, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.9% over the period 2025-2033.
As global demand for sustainable, eco-friendly and high-protein food alternatives rises, edible insects are emerging from niche product status to a mainstream option across human food, animal feed, aquaculture, pet food and more.

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Introduction:
Edible insects such as crickets, mealworms, grasshoppers and black soldier fly larvae are gaining traction because they are rich in protein (up to ~70 % by dry weight), require fewer resources (feed, water, land) than traditional livestock, and align with circular-economy models. The shift toward alternative proteins, coupled with rising global population and environmental pressure, positions the edible insects market for strong growth.

Market Growth Drivers:
Sustainability & Protein Security: With a global population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, conventional livestock systems are under strain. Insects convert feed to protein very efficiently and emit far fewer greenhouse gases, making them a viable sustainable alternative.

Versatile Applications: Insect-based products are being used not only for human consumption (snacks, powders, bars) but also in animal and aquafeed, pet food, insect oil, fertilizers and more. The broadening scope enhances market potential.

Regulatory & Innovation Progress: In regions such as Europe, regulatory frameworks are becoming more friendly (e.g., novel food approvals) and companies are launching insect-based food SKUs (snacks, powders) to appeal to mainstream consumers.

Key Market Trends:
Innovation in Insect-Based Food Products: Food-tech firms are developing insect-based snacks, protein bars, chips, energy drinks, pastas and baked goods that incorporate insect powder or flour to appeal to Western consumers hesitant about whole insects. This is reducing the "yuck factor" and scaling acceptance.

Industry Scale-Up and Processing Tech: Automated insect-farming platforms, closed systems, waste-to-protein conversion (especially for black soldier fly larvae) and improved processing technologies are enabling cost reductions and production scaling.

Animal Feed & Pet Food Integration: One of the fastest growth areas lies in using insect protein (especially BSF larvae) in poultry, aquaculture, pig, pet-food feedstocks. With rising feed costs and sustainability demands, insect alternatives provide strong value growth opportunities.

Market Restraints:
Regulatory and Cultural Barriers: Despite the benefits, insect consumption still faces cultural resistance (especially in North America and many Western markets), and regulatory frameworks (food safety, novel food approvals, allergen control) remain complex.

Scale & Cost Challenges: While insect farming is efficient, achieving large-scale industrial production at cost-competitive levels (versus soy, fishmeal) still presents hurdles. Consumer acceptance and supply-chain logistics remain partly underdeveloped.

Market Opportunity:
Major Upside in Animal & Aquafeed: Rather than only human food, the animal feed segment offers huge scale and is less constrained by cultural issues. Insect protein in feed could become a major growth driver.

Emerging Geographic Markets: Regions such as North America are now showing higher growth rates (driven by sustainability demand, food-tech investment), while culturally insect-consuming regions (Asia-Pacific) are modernising and scaling production.

Product Diversification & Branding: As insect powders, oils and incorporated snack products become more mainstream, there's opportunity for premium positioning (clean-label, sustainable, high-protein) to command higher margins.

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Regional Insights:
Europe currently dominates the global edible insects market, holding over 38% share in 2024. This is due to strong consumer awareness, supportive policies, and mature food-innovation ecosystems.

North America is the fastest-growing region driven by growing sustainability and alternative-protein demand, regulatory progress (e.g., pet feed, animal feed approvals), and food-tech startup activity.

Asia-Pacific benefits from traditional insect consumption cultures (Thailand, Vietnam, China), and is shifting toward industrial insect-farming scale. Emerging middle-class demand, emphasis on protein deficiency, and processing innovations are fuelling growth.

Segmental Insights:
By Product Type: The insect-powder segment led in 2024, given its versatility (incorporation into food/drink, snacks) and better consumer acceptance compared to whole insects.

By Insect Type: The Black Soldier Fly (BSF) segment is the dominant insect type in 2024 especially due to its application in animal feed and its waste-to-protein efficiency. By Application: Animal feed (including aquafeed and poultry) dominated in 2024, representing the largest application segment by usage and value.

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Key Players:
List of major players in the Edible Insects Market:
Aspire Food Group
Entomo Farms
Ÿnsect
Protix
InnovaFeed
Beta Hatch
EnviroFlight
Jiminy's
Crickstart
Bugsolutely

These companies are building production capacity, investing in processing technologies, forging food-brand partnerships, and scaling insect-based product lines across human food, animal feed and pet food categories.

Analyst Insight:
The edible-insects market is entering a strategic inflection point. What once was niche novelty is becoming a meaningful alternative-protein category," says a senior analyst at Straits Research. "With a forecast CAGR of nearly 15% through 2033, stakeholders who invest in scale, consumer-friendly formats (powder, snacks), regulatory pathways and multi-application expansion (food, feed, pet) will lead the charge in this USD 6 billion-plus market.

Conclusion
In summary, the global edible insects market is poised for strong growth over the coming decade driven by sustainability imperatives, protein-security concerns, product innovation and expanding feed applications. With the market expected to grow from USD 1.71 billion in 2024 to USD 5.91 billion by 2033, companies and investors positioning themselves now in insect farming, processing, product development and feed supply will be well-placed to capitalise on this emerging segment of the food system.

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