Lentil Protein Market

Global Lentil Protein Market Size (2024 to 2029)

The global lentil protein market is expected to reach USD 171.09 million by 2029 from USD 134.69 million in 2024, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9% during the forecast period.

Global Lentil Protein Market Drivers:

The growing demand for allergen-free natural products is expected to drive the lentil protein market growth. Europe and North America are anticipated to have profitable lentil protein companies in the market. There are several opportunities for lentil protein-based food products that are rising with the increasing demand for allergen-free ingredients, along with environmental and nutritional concerns. The plant-based protein in the formulated foods is growing significantly and is expected to continue in the near future across the globe, which is strengthened by the changing consumer preferences. In the U.S., 32 million people are suffering from different forms of food allergy, as per the report by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Around 170 food products contain the ingredients that cause allergic reactions. Major allergy reaction-causing food products include peanuts, eggs, soy, shellfish, tree nuts, milk and its products, and fish. The nutritional properties of the lentil protein and better resistance to allergy-causing triggers drive the market growth at an exponential rate.

The lentil protein market is expected to see lucrative prospects with the emerging nutraceutical supplements in sports nutrition. Lentil protein powder is very nutritious and has many benefits to human health. The consumption of lentil protein powder helps in building muscles and is useful for the sportsperson. The building of impressive muscles is a common trend among modern consumers. The market is seen having a spurring growth with increasing demand for various supplements because of the rise in the popular bodybuilding culture in the present day. With the driving focus on health and fitness, the nutritional property of the powder has found its way into the sports nutrition and supplements market.

Global Lentil Protein Market Restraints:

The availability of low-cost substitutes, negative publicity due to lack of proper awareness, and side effects are acting as a restraint to the growth of the lentil protein market. During the forecast period, the growth of the market is challenged by allergic reactions in consumers, such as due to lactose intolerance. The price of lentil flour is higher than the protein isolates and concentrates, which may impact the growth of the market to some extent. In certain regions like North America and Western Europe, the price of lentil protein is higher than compared to other areas. The increasing prevalence of disruption in the supply chain between the trading countries is acting as a restraint to the market growth. There is increased diplomatic tension between the countries, leading to an indefinite scope for the economic slowdown, resulting in a negative impact on business trade.

Impact of COVID-19 on the global lentil protein market:

The COVID-19 pandemic has created considerable change across the food and beverage industry. Several key strategic initiatives have emerged from the market players to mitigate the losses induced by the pandemic. With the pandemic, people have focused more on consuming plant-based proteins due to looming uncertainty and safety concerns revolving around meat. Companies started focusing on innovation and research across plant-based protein to meet the target group’s demand. Across the world, people are changing their preferences. A shift is noticed from meat-based proteins to pea, soy, and lentil proteins, as they find it an ideal replacement. There are several challenges also imposed by the pandemic, as offline sales have seen a dip with the imposition of the lockdown and travel restrictions. The market has also seen instability in its dynamics with the changing government rules and people’s preferences. Several initiatives have been introduced by formulating engaging social media campaigns to increase online sales in the lentil protein market. 

REPORT COVERAGE:

This research report on the global lentil protein market has been segmented and sub-segmented based on product type, nature, end-user industry, processing type & region.

Global Lentil Protein Market - By Product Type:

• Protein Isolates
• Protein Concentrates
• Flour
• Other

The protein isolates segment is expected to have a high market value in the lentil protein market. Protein isolates are a more refined form of the protein products with higher protein concentrations. It has good characteristics such as protein concentration, color, flavor, and functional qualities, making it more suitable for use in beverages, infant food, children’s foods, and other specialized foods. The growing trend towards high-protein and protein products in the food and beverages sector, as well as the increased consumer knowledge regarding healthcare, drives the segment growth in the market.

Global Lentil Protein Market - By Nature:

• Organic
• Conventional

The organic segment is expected to dominate the lentil protein market across the world during the forecast period. This segment accounts for a high share of the market compared to other segments. Consumer demand for organic foods has increased drastically with the growing popularity and trend of organic foods. The manufacturers are concentrating on the production of food items such as bakeries and baby foods, using more organic raw materials. In the coming days, there will be a huge demand for organic cereals, and their products are expected to grow at an exponential rate. These factors drive the demand for the organic segment in the market and increase sales of the produce.

Global Lentil Protein Market - By End Use Industry:

• Food Processing
• Bakery & Confectionery
• Meat Alternatives
• Functional Foods
• Dairy Replacements
• Infant Foods
• Animal Feed
• Pet Food
• Aqua feed
• Nutraceuticals
• Sports Nutrition
• Infant Nutrition
• Other Food Applications

The food processing segment holds a leading market share in the lentil protein market. There will be a never-ending demand for food products among consumers. People with an increasing awareness of healthcare and nutritious food prefer to have food that is high-quality and has a large quantity of nutritional ingredients. As a result, manufacturers in the food and beverages sector have started focusing on products that contain high protein and nutritional elements, resulting in an increasing demand for lentil powder in the market. Key players are focusing on the innovation of application-specific ingredients to meet customers' demands.

Global Lentil Protein Market - By Processing Type:

• Dry Processing
• Wet Processing

The dry processing segment is expected to dominate the lentil protein market as the end users, manufacturers, and consumers are incorporating and adopting various technologies for the production of the lentil protein.

Global Lentil Protein Market - By Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

Europe and the North American region are expected to have profitable lentil protein companies driving the overall profitability of the lentil protein market. In the U.K., the demand for meat-free products and the number of vegans are increasing significantly. This clearly shows that there is remarkable growth for the players in the market. In the last three years in the United Kingdom, the sale of vegan products has increased significantly, according to the report by FMI. This paved the way for the lentil protein market in North America with market expansion opportunities. In the near future, the market is expected to grow significantly in the Asia-Pacific region as consumer preference for herbal products increases. 

Latin America and the Middle East are expected to drive market growth with the growing awareness of the health benefits of a healthy lifestyle and nutritious foods. The use of lentil flour is expected to increase in the bakeries and confectioneries.

KEY MARKET PLAYERS:

Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), Ingredion Inc., and B.I. Nutraceuticals: Inc.; Biorefinery Solutions; Cargill Inc.; Henry Broch Foods; Parabel USA Inc.; GEMEF Industries; Vestkorn Milling AS; AGT Food and Ingredients; Danone S.A. and Kemin Industries are some of the major companies in the global lentil protein market.

RECENT HAPPENINGS IN THE MARKET:

• In 2023, in North America, Kemin Industries introduced its new fat-block topical solution named ‘InnoBLQ”. Lentil protein and pea protein are two different forms in which new products will be available and can be used depending upon the application.
• In 2020, Danone announced the availability of the Vegan One lentil protein products in China along with the Vegan One Sport aimed at athletes. The product is made of a variety of proteins derived from various sources, including pumpkin seeds, alfalfa, sunflower seeds, and others.
• In 2020, ADM started to expand its production of non-GMO Soy protein concentrate in the Netherlands. To strengthen the production capacity of plant-based ingredients, ADM started its expansion.