North America Whey Protein Ingredients Market Size

The North America Whey Protein Ingredients Market is experiencing growth, driven by its applications in food and beverages and supplements. The market's expansion is particularly notable in the snacks and sports nutrition segments, with increasing demand for whey protein due to its nutritional benefits. The United States holds the largest market share, supported by a robust food manufacturing sector and competitive pricing. Canada follows as a significant market, fueled by high protein consumption in supplements and a strong dairy industry. Mexico is emerging as the fastest-growing market, driven by the rising demand in functional foods and bakery sectors.

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Market Size of north america whey protein ingredients Industry

North America Whey Protein Ingredients Market Summary
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svg icon Study Period 2017 - 2029
svg icon Market Size (2024) USD 1.02 Billion
svg icon Market Size (2029) USD 1.29 Billion
svg icon Largest Share by End User Supplements
svg icon CAGR (2024 - 2029) 4.79 %
svg icon Largest Share by Country United States

Major Players

North America Whey Protein Ingredients Market Major Players

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Key Players

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North America Whey Protein Ingredients Market Analysis

The North America Whey Protein Ingredients Market size is estimated at 1.02 billion USD in 2024, and is expected to reach 1.29 billion USD by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 4.79% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

1.02 Billion

Market Size in 2024 (USD)

1.29 Billion

Market Size in 2029 (USD)

6.10 %

CAGR (2017-2023)

4.79 %

CAGR (2024-2029)

Largest Market by Form

46.59 %

value share, Isolates, 2023

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Due to their higher production costs, WPIs cost higher. This factor is further leading them to have a greater value share despite having less volume in sales than WPCs.

Largest Market by End User

49.91 %

value share, Supplements, 2023

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Supplements led the share, owing to the high demand for sports nutrition. The supplements segment are driven by the increase in athletes and their reliance on high-protein diets.

Fastest Growing Market by Form

6.90 %

Projected CAGR, Hydrolyzed, 2024-2029

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Hydrolyzed whey ingredients are one of the most launched products in the competitive landscape. Thus, players such as Arla hold the greatest potential to grow in the future.

Fastest Growing Market by End User

6.52 %

Projected CAGR, Supplements, 2024-2029

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Supplements recorded the highest CAGR, impacted by the greater potential in sports nutrition. The segment is set to thrive, with Canada's expanding athlete base.

Leading Market Player

21.21 %

market share, Glanbia PLC, 2021

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Glanbia PLC held the largest market share in the region, focusing significantly on product development strategies. It has been ramping up its existing whey protein range.

Strategic investments by the companies coupled with growing fitness consicous consumers drove the application of whey protein ingredients especially in supplements and F&B sector

  • The whey protein market comprises F&B and supplements as the two major applications. The snacks sub-segment dominated the F&B segment, accounting for a 48.44% volume share in 2022. Key players like Nestle, Arla Foods, and Fonterra Group are widely investing in product formulations to cater to the snack industry's surge in demand. In the supplements segment, sports nutrition held a major share of 94.6% by volume in 2022. The growth can be attributed to the growing demand for whey protein in the fitness industry as a muscle-building supplement. Canada has about 6.18 million members who have registered themselves in the gym, i.e., roughly 938 members per gym in 2021.
  • The beverage sub-segment is projected to register with the fastest CAGR of 3.37% by value in the forecast period, followed by condiments/sauces. Owing to its superior nutritional attributes, neutral flavor, ease of digestion, i.e., 10g/hr., and distinctive functioning in beverage systems, whey proteins are frequently used as the protein source for RTD protein beverages. WPC offers excellent fat replacement properties, such as emulsification by maintaining an isoelectric point at pH 4.4, boosting its use in dressings, sauces, etc.
  • The fastest-growing end-user segment is personal care and cosmetics, which is projected to register a CAGR of 4.74% in the forecast period. This is due to the rising number of beauty clinics and rising per capita spending on personal appearance. The average income and expenditure on personal care and services in the United States increased by 19.3% during 2020-2021. Whey protein has increased functionalities, like skin elasticity and hair conditioning, with the help of amino acids found in whey protein, which is boosting its demand in the segment.
North America Whey Protein Ingredients Market

United States holds majority of share in 2022 due to strong presence of various food manufacturing units

  • The United States led the market with the largest share in 2022, attributed to a high consumer base and the extensive food manufacturing units being established. The production consolidation practiced by major players results in easy accessibility and competitive whey protein prices, boosting market value. The whey protein market in the United States is highly driven by the food and beverage industry (51.6%), which held a significant share, followed by the supplement industry (47.6%) in 2022. Whey protein has a superior, branched-chain amino acid content of natural protein sources when compared with other proteins. It can stimulate muscle protein synthesis in a dose-dependent manner.
  • Canada remained the second-largest market in 2022, driven by high protein consumption in the supplements industry. Canada is an emerging market for whey protein. The booming trend of healthy food in the country has created a significant demand for ingredients such as whey protein. Whey protein usage was mainly observed in sports nutrition due to the increasing number of fitness enthusiasts and fitness clubs. The Canadian sports nutrition segment is projected to register a CAGR of 5.39% during the forecast period. The dominance of the dairy sector within the protein industry of Canada has provided favorable growth opportunities for the whey protein industry.
  • Mexico is the fastest-growing country for whey protein, and it is projected to register a CAGR of 6.11% during the forecast period. The booming functional food and bakery sectors spiked the demand for dairy ingredients in Mexico, with whey protein being the best alternative. Protein bars with whey protein are becoming popular among consumers due to their functional properties.

North America Whey Protein Ingredients Industry Segmentation

Concentrates, Hydrolyzed, Isolates are covered as segments by Form. Animal Feed, Food and Beverages, Personal Care and Cosmetics, Supplements are covered as segments by End User. Canada, Mexico, United States are covered as segments by Country.

  • The whey protein market comprises F&B and supplements as the two major applications. The snacks sub-segment dominated the F&B segment, accounting for a 48.44% volume share in 2022. Key players like Nestle, Arla Foods, and Fonterra Group are widely investing in product formulations to cater to the snack industry's surge in demand. In the supplements segment, sports nutrition held a major share of 94.6% by volume in 2022. The growth can be attributed to the growing demand for whey protein in the fitness industry as a muscle-building supplement. Canada has about 6.18 million members who have registered themselves in the gym, i.e., roughly 938 members per gym in 2021.
  • The beverage sub-segment is projected to register with the fastest CAGR of 3.37% by value in the forecast period, followed by condiments/sauces. Owing to its superior nutritional attributes, neutral flavor, ease of digestion, i.e., 10g/hr., and distinctive functioning in beverage systems, whey proteins are frequently used as the protein source for RTD protein beverages. WPC offers excellent fat replacement properties, such as emulsification by maintaining an isoelectric point at pH 4.4, boosting its use in dressings, sauces, etc.
  • The fastest-growing end-user segment is personal care and cosmetics, which is projected to register a CAGR of 4.74% in the forecast period. This is due to the rising number of beauty clinics and rising per capita spending on personal appearance. The average income and expenditure on personal care and services in the United States increased by 19.3% during 2020-2021. Whey protein has increased functionalities, like skin elasticity and hair conditioning, with the help of amino acids found in whey protein, which is boosting its demand in the segment.
Form
Concentrates
Hydrolyzed
Isolates
End User
Animal Feed
Food and Beverages
By Sub End User
Bakery
Beverages
Breakfast Cereals
Condiments/Sauces
Dairy and Dairy Alternative Products
RTE/RTC Food Products
Snacks
Personal Care and Cosmetics
Supplements
By Sub End User
Baby Food and Infant Formula
Elderly Nutrition and Medical Nutrition
Sport/Performance Nutrition
Country
Canada
Mexico
United States
Rest of North America
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North America Whey Protein Ingredients Market Size Summary

The North America Whey Protein Ingredients Market is experiencing a steady expansion, driven by its applications in food and beverages as well as dietary supplements. The snacks sub-segment has emerged as a significant contributor within the food and beverage sector, with major companies like Nestle, Arla Foods, and Fonterra Group investing in innovative product formulations to meet the rising demand. The supplements segment, particularly sports nutrition, dominates the market due to the increasing popularity of whey protein as a muscle-building supplement among fitness enthusiasts. The beverage sub-segment is anticipated to grow rapidly, attributed to whey protein's nutritional benefits and versatility in beverage systems. Additionally, the personal care and cosmetics sector is witnessing growth, fueled by the rising demand for whey protein's functional benefits in beauty products.

The United States leads the North American market, supported by a robust consumer base and extensive food manufacturing capabilities. The country's whey protein market is significantly influenced by the food and beverage industry, with a substantial share also coming from the supplement sector. Canada and Mexico are also key players, with Canada focusing on sports nutrition and Mexico experiencing rapid growth due to the booming functional food sector. The market is characterized by a fragmented landscape, with major players like Arla Foods, Fonterra Co-operative Group, and Glanbia PLC holding significant shares. Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, such as temporary production declines, the market is poised for growth, driven by innovation and increasing consumer demand for protein-rich products.

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North America Whey Protein Ingredients Market Size - Table of Contents

  1. 1. MARKET SEGMENTATION (includes market size in Value in USD and Volume, Forecasts up to 2029 and analysis of growth prospects)

    1. 1.1 Form

      1. 1.1.1 Concentrates

      2. 1.1.2 Hydrolyzed

      3. 1.1.3 Isolates

    2. 1.2 End User

      1. 1.2.1 Animal Feed

      2. 1.2.2 Food and Beverages

        1. 1.2.2.1 By Sub End User

          1. 1.2.2.1.1 Bakery

          2. 1.2.2.1.2 Beverages

          3. 1.2.2.1.3 Breakfast Cereals

          4. 1.2.2.1.4 Condiments/Sauces

          5. 1.2.2.1.5 Dairy and Dairy Alternative Products

          6. 1.2.2.1.6 RTE/RTC Food Products

          7. 1.2.2.1.7 Snacks

      3. 1.2.3 Personal Care and Cosmetics

      4. 1.2.4 Supplements

        1. 1.2.4.1 By Sub End User

          1. 1.2.4.1.1 Baby Food and Infant Formula

          2. 1.2.4.1.2 Elderly Nutrition and Medical Nutrition

          3. 1.2.4.1.3 Sport/Performance Nutrition

    3. 1.3 Country

      1. 1.3.1 Canada

      2. 1.3.2 Mexico

      3. 1.3.3 United States

      4. 1.3.4 Rest of North America

North America Whey Protein Ingredients Market Size FAQs

The North America Whey Protein Ingredients Market size is expected to reach USD 1.02 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 4.79% to reach USD 1.29 billion by 2029.

In 2024, the North America Whey Protein Ingredients Market size is expected to reach USD 1.02 billion.

North America Whey Protein Ingredients Market SIZE & SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS & FORECASTS UP TO 2029