Edible Insects Market Report 2026

Edible Insects Market Overview

• Edible Insects market size has reached to $3 billion in 2025 • Expected to grow to $9.16 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25% • Growth Driver: Rising Demand For Protein-Rich Foods And Its Impact On The Edible Insects Market • Market Trend: Innovative Edible Insect Products Revolutionize Pet Food Market • Asia-Pacific was the largest region in 2025 and North America is the fastest growing region.

What Is Covered Under Edible Insects Market?

Edible insects are insects that are consumed as food by humans. They provide a sustainable source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, and are considered a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional livestock due to their lower resource requirements and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The main insect types of edible insects are crickets, black soldier flies, mealworms, buffalo worms, grasshoppers, ants, silkworms, cicadas, and others. Cricket insects refer to a type of insect belonging to the Gryllidae family, known for their chirping sound produced by rubbing their wings together. They are commonly found in various environments and are often used as a food source or in research. These insects have applications in food and beverage, feed, and pet food, with end uses in human consumption and animal nutrition.

What Is The Edible Insects Market Growth Forecast?

The edible insects market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $9.16 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.0%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for sustainable protein alternatives, rising investments in insect farming infrastructure, expansion of regulatory approvals for human consumption, increasing use in functional foods, higher consumer awareness of environmental benefits. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing acceptance of alternative protein sources, expansion of insect-based protein powders, growing use of edible insects in animal feed, rising focus on sustainable food systems, product innovation in insect-based food formats.

Global Edible Insects Market Segmentation

1) By Insect Type: Crickets, Mealworms, Buffalo Worms, Grasshoppers, Ants, Silkworms, Cicadas, Other Edible Insects 2) By Application: Food And Beverage, Food Ingredients And Protein Products 3) By End Use: Human Retail Consumption, Foodservice And Commercial Consumption Subsegments: 1) By Crickets: Whole Crickets, Cricket Flour, Cricket Protein Powder, Roasted Or Seasoned Crickets 2) By Mealworms: Whole Mealworms, Mealworm Powder, Freeze-Dried Mealworms, Roasted Mealworms 3) By Buffalo Worms: Whole Buffalo Worms, Buffalo Worm Protein, Dried Buffalo Worms 4) By Grasshoppers: Whole Grasshoppers, Grasshopper Flour, Roasted Grasshoppers 5) By Ants: Whole Ants, Ant Protein Powder, Roasted Ants 6) By Silkworms: Whole Silkworms, Silkworm Larvae, Dried Silkworms 7) By Cicadas: Whole Cicadas, Roasted Cicadas, Cicada Protein Powder 8) By Other Edible Insects: Termites, Locusts, Beetles, Weevils, Dragonflies

What Is The Driver Of The Edible Insects Market?

The growing demand for protein-rich food is expected to propel the growth of the edible insects market going forward. Protein-rich foods refer to those that contain a high amount of protein relative to their overall calorie content, such as meat, eggs, dairy products, and seafood. Protein-rich food consumption is growing due to increased health awareness, dietary preferences, and the rising demand for fitness and muscle-building nutrition. Edible insects are used in protein-rich foods as a sustainable and nutrient-dense alternative to traditional protein sources, offering high-quality protein with a lower environmental impact. For instance, in July 2024, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Food and Agriculture, a France-based intergovernmental organization, the global per capita protein intake is projected to increase to 79.8 grams per day by 2033. The protein intake in North America is also anticipated to increase by 1.5%, equivalent to 1.9 grams per person per day, by 2033, reaching a total of 123 grams per person per day. Therefore, the growing demand for protein-rich foods is driving the growth of the edible insects industry.

What Is The Driver Of The Edible Insects Market?

The growing demand for protein-rich food is expected to propel the growth of the edible insects market going forward. Protein-rich foods refer to those that contain a high amount of protein relative to their overall calorie content, such as meat, eggs, dairy products, and seafood. Protein-rich food consumption is growing due to increased health awareness, dietary preferences, and the rising demand for fitness and muscle-building nutrition. Edible insects are used in protein-rich foods as a sustainable and nutrient-dense alternative to traditional protein sources, offering high-quality protein with a lower environmental impact. For instance, in July 2024, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Food and Agriculture, a France-based intergovernmental organization, the global per capita protein intake is projected to increase to 79.8 grams per day by 2033. The protein intake in North America is also anticipated to increase by 1.5%, equivalent to 1.9 grams per person per day, by 2033, reaching a total of 123 grams per person per day. Therefore, the growing demand for protein-rich foods is driving the growth of the edible insects industry.

Global Edible Insects Market Trends and Insights

Major companies operating in the edible insect market are focused on developing innovative products, such as molitor mealworm-based pet food, to enhance sustainability and nutritional benefits. Molitor mealworm-based pet food refers to pet food products formulated using mealworms as a primary ingredient, leveraging their high protein content and sustainability benefits. For instance, in May 2023, Ÿnsect, a France-based insect-based food product company, launched Sprÿng, a new sustainable brand targeting the pet food market. Sprÿng offers high-quality, nutritious ingredients derived from Molitor mealworms, designed for easy integration into both dry and wet pet food formulations. These ingredients feature a neutral taste, a light brown color, and odorless properties, making them an ideal choice for pet food manufacturers seeking sustainable solutions.

What Are Latest Mergers And Acquisitions In The Edible Insects Market?

In October 2023, Tyson Foods Inc., a US-based food company, partnered with Protix B.V. to expand the production of insect-derived proteins and lipids for use in pet food, aquaculture, and livestock feed. With this partnership, Tyson Foods, Inc. and Protix B.V. aim to develop sustainable protein solutions by upcycling food byproducts and establishing a large-scale insect ingredient facility in the United States. Protix B.V. is a Netherlands-based insect ingredient company that specializes in producing insect-derived proteins and lipids for animal nutrition.

Regional Outlook

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the edible insects market in 2025. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in this market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in this market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada

What Defines the Edible Insects Market?

The edible insects market consists of sales of mealworm chips, whole insects, insect powder, and insect-based supplements. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

How is Market Value Defined and Measured?

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified). The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

What Key Data and Analysis Are Included in the Edible Insects Market Report 2026?

The edible insects market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides market statistics, including industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the market share, detailed market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the edible insects industry. The market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future state of the industry.