Wheat Protein Market- Outlook by Potential Growth

Wheat Protein Market Overview

The Global Wheat Protein market was valued at USD 2.42 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 3.30 billion by the year 2032, at a CAGR of 3.5%

• Wheat is one of the popular and important cereal crops globally concerning production and consumption. It is a rich source of energy, protein, and dietary fiber in human nutrition and animal feeding. In addition, it offers approximately one-fifth of the total calorific input of the global population. Currently, around 95% of the wheat grown globally is hexaploidy bread wheat, with most of the remaining 5% being tetraploid durum wheat. Furthermore, mature wheat grains hold 8% to 20% proteins. Wheat proteins contain high complexity and various interactions with each other, hence making them difficult to characterize. Generally, they are categorized according to their solubility. Following the sequential Osborne extraction procedure, glutenin, albumins, gliadins, and globulins are isolated. An alternative classification to that described has been proposed based on constitution and structure rather than solubility. It is required for bread and noodle-making owing to wheat protein creates an elastic texture to achieve a high level of dough strength. Moreover, wheat proteins help to provide the body with essential amino acids that it cannot synthesize on its own. Beyond nutrition, these affordable, plant-sourced proteins cater to functional benefits, yet their neutral flavor profile makes them easy to incorporate into a variety of food and animal feed systems which would help to increase the wheat protein market during the forecast period.

Market Dynamics and Factors of the Wheat Protein Market

Drivers:

• Major factors for rising wheat protein urge in the bakery sector include increased moisture content, increased water absorption, and softness in the final product. A shifting lifestyle is leading toward high products adoption of ready-to-eat items such as snacks and confectionary items. Growing product incorporation in the making of bread, pastries, rolls, cakes, and other bakery items to offer to consumer demand will hasten industry growth.
• Wheat protein product has gained high popularity mainly from the nutritional supplements industry for sportspersons and athletes as a dietary supplement due to its low fats, nutritious contents, and carbohydrates contents. High physical exercises among the population have resulted in the essentiality for post-workout supplements to meet protein content in the body. These concentrates are extensively utilized in nutritional food products due to high protein concentration advantages accelerating market share.
• Wheat Protein Market from cosmetic & personal care application is anticipated to gain maximum share during the forecast period. Switching consumer trends toward the assumption of organic and herbal cosmetic products are turning market demand. Plant-based raw materials are observing healthy demand from personal care applications owing to nutrient-rich benefits. Gluten concentrations are extensively used in the production of hair sustaining and skincare products fueling product demand. Changing preferences for organic personal care products to prevent synthetic chemicals will hasten the market growth during the forecast period.

Restraints:

• Some grains contain gluten, which causes issues for many people. Gluten is a protein found in grains such as rye, wheat, spelled, and barley. Many people are sensitive to gluten. Some grains, particularly wheat, are also high in FODMAPs, a type of carbohydrate that can cause digestive distress in many consumers, these factors hampering the wheat protein market growth during the forecast period.

Opportunities:

• Rising potential for plant-based proteins owing to increased affinity for sustainable food sources. Consumers these days opted for terms such as "natural", "organic", and "GMO-free" to make instant purchase decisions. As a result, plant-based protein products remain the more popular choice, depending on growth opportunities. The demand for plant-based proteins such as potato proteins, wheat proteins, soy proteins, pea proteins, and others is expected to grow owing to the positioning of these plant-based proteins as a sustainable food source. Moreover, the cost advantage, and a certain level of awareness about the originality of naturally-sourced products, play as a few reasons as to why the popularity of this market has been increasing.

Market Segmentation

Segmentation for the Wheat Protein Market:

• Based on the Product, wheat gluten controlled the global market concerning the value and volume. The extensive range of practicality of wheat gluten such as binding, texturing, foaming, viscoelasticity, and emulsification leads to its wide-scale applications in bakery products. Its role as a good meat alternative for consumers choosing vegetarian food products is anticipated to turn its demand over the forecast period.
• Based on Application, the animal feed segment dominates the market over the forecast period. The rising expenditure on pet feed products along with pet humanization in countries such as India and the US is anticipated to turn the market growth in the pet food segment. Shifting consumer preferences driven by consciousness toward meat sourcing practices, their ecological effects, and animal-borne diseases have led to more consumers choosing out of meat utilization. The resulting change has been conducted to consumer demand changing from conventional animal-based proteins to plant-based alternatives.
• Based on Form, dry form is expected to account for the maximum market share over the forecast period. The dry form of processing of protein is utilized in the manufacturing of wheat protein isolates. It involves dry milling technology, which is used to overcome the particle size of raw material into fine particles. This method is used to process wheat, which is corresponded to its specific tissue architecture and milling behavior. The process depends on various particle sizes and densities within the milled flour.
• Based on Protein Concentration, 75% concentration has appeared as a key segment. It has a higher concentration of diluted protein, and the formulation is primarily included in nutritional supplements. However, 95% and 80% concentrations indicate certain issues in characteristics such as aggregation, gelation, precipitation, and high viscosity.

Regional Analysis of Wheat Protein Market:

• North America was the largest regional market registering for the highest revenue and is expected to witness promising growth over the forecast period. The region is expected to increase on account of the growing utilization of nutritional supplements, bakery products, and snacks. New product launching by companies such as Cargill and MGP Ingredients Inc. is targeted on consumer requirements for low saturated fat and cholesterol-free products thus increasing the industry demand.
• The Asia Pacific is anticipated to account for the fastest growth, due to the growing population, boosting consumer lifestyle, and raising awareness for healthy foods. China and India are the major wheat producers in the region. Additionally, growth in healthcare and food & beverage industries is likely to accelerate demand for wheat-based protein in emerging economies such as China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and South Korea during the forecast period.
• The European market is expected to witness significant growth across the forecast period. The expanding product applications in biscuits, cakes, bread, and other bakery products will turn the wheat protein market share. The spouting demand for plant-based food products due to nutritional benefits will hasten market share. Germany, France, and the UK are key economies contributing to key revenue share due to the improved adoption of organic products accelerating industry size.
• Latin America is also anticipated to increase in the international market. Growing demand from consumers and the rise in meat-free diets are driving the growth of this market over the forecast period.

Players Covered in Wheat Protein Market are:

• Cargill (US)
• Batory Foods (US)
• Agrana (Austria)
• Kröner-Stärke (Germany)
• Manildra Group (Australia)
• Tate & Lyle (UK)
• Roquette (France)
• Crespel & Deiters (Germany)
• MGP Ingredients (US)
• PureField Ingredients (US)
• Tereos Syral (France)
• CropEnergies (Germany)
• ADM (US)
• Kerry Group (Ireland)
• BENEO (Germany)
• Glico Nutrition (Japan)
• Agridient Inc (US)
• AMCO Proteins (US)
• Gluten y Almidones Industriales (Mexico)
• Others Major Players.

Key Industry Developments of Wheat Protein Market

• In October 2023, Amber Wave announced the launch of production at North America’s largest wheat protein facility, following a significant investment by Summit Agricultural Group. The facility began producing AmberPro Vital Wheat Gluten, offering a reliable domestic source of gluten for industries such as commercial baking, food ingredients, alternative meats, pet food, and specialty feed.
• In Septembe 2023, British alt-meat brand Squeaky Bean announced its expansion into the ready meal sector with the launch of two innovative protein pots. The range features wheat and pea protein as key ingredients, highlighting the brand’s commitment to plant-based innovation. The Teriyaki Duck Protein Pot included plant-based duck pieces in teriyaki sauce with piquillo peppers, while the Beef Ragu Protein Pot offered beef-style pieces crafted from wheat and pea protein, smothered in rich ragu sauce and topped with Applewood smoked vegan cheese. This launch marked Squeaky Bean’s latest step in redefining convenience with high-protein, plant-based meals.