DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- According to MarketsandMarkets™, the pea protein market is estimated to be USD 1.45 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 2.59 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 12.3% from 2026 to 2031.
Pea Protein Market Size & Forecast
- Market Size Available for Years: 2022–2031
- 2026 Market Size: USD 1.45 billion
- 2031 Projected Market Size: USD 2.59 billion
- CAGR (2026–2031): 12.3%
Pea Protein Market Trends & Insights:
- The pea protein market is experiencing steady growth, driven by increasing consumer preference for plant-based and protein-rich foods, rising demand for meat alternatives, growing adoption in sports and performance nutrition, expanding use in beverages and functional foods, and increasing demand for clean-label, non-GMO, and sustainably sourced protein ingredients.
- Europe is estimated to account for 39.9% of the pea protein market in 2026.
- By nature, the conventional pea protein segment is estimated to dominate the market with a share of approx 91.8% in 2026.
- By type, the textured segment is projected to witness the highest CAGR of 12.8% from 2026 to 2031.
- By application, the food segment is expected to lead the market during the forecast period.
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The demand for pea protein is increasing across food, beverages, and other applications, supported by growing consumer interest in plant-based, high-protein, and sustainable ingredients. Within food applications, pea protein is increasingly used in meat substitutes to provide protein content and desirable texture, while performance nutrition products such as protein powders, sports drinks, and protein bars are gaining traction among consumers seeking plant-based protein sources. Functional foods, snacks, bakery products, and confectionery are also incorporating pea protein to enhance nutritional profiles and support clean-label product development. Other food applications further contribute to demand as manufacturers explore pea protein in a wider range of formulations.
In beverages, pea protein is increasingly used in protein shakes, ready-to-drink beverages, plant-based drinks, and nutritional beverages, supported by improvements in solubility, taste, and formulation performance. Other applications are also adopting pea protein as manufacturers seek versatile plant-based protein ingredients for emerging food and nutrition products. The shift toward non-GMO, allergen-friendly, clean-label, and sustainably sourced ingredients, along with advances in extraction, processing, flavor masking, and formulation technologies, is expected to broaden the use of pea protein across these applications.
By type, textured segment to exhibit fastest growth rate during forecast period.
Textured pea protein is expected to be the fastest-growing type segment in the pea protein market due to its fibrous appearance and granule size, which makes it particularly suitable for plant-based ground meat, vegan sausages, and patties. Its ability to enhance juiciness and mimic the sensation of biting into meat makes it a suitable ingredient for developing meat alternative products with desirable taste and texture.
The segment is further supported by the nutritional and functional properties of textured pea protein. It provides favorable levels of lysine and glutamine, contains soluble and insoluble fiber, and offers functional attributes in food systems. Its gluten-free, soy-free, allergen-free, sustainable, and non-GMO characteristics also strengthen its suitability as an alternative to textured soy protein.
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By application, beverages segment to record highest CAGR during forecast period
By application, the beverages segment is expected to witness the highest growth rate in the pea protein market, driven by increasing consumer interest in plant-based foods and functional, healthy drinks. Plant proteins are being incorporated into a wide range of refrigerated and shelf-stable beverages as consumers seek convenient sources of protein. The growing number of ready-to-drink products with added protein is further supporting the use of pea protein in beverage formulations.
The increasing adoption of vegan claims and growing interest in alternatives to soy and whey proteins are also strengthening demand for pea protein in beverages. Its use in products such as high-protein drinks, teas, coffee, and other beverages is expanding as manufacturers respond to consumers' focus on health and wellness.
Asia Pacific to register fastest growth in global pea protein market.
Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing regional market for pea protein, driven by rapid population growth, an expanding middle class, and fast-changing consumer requirements. The region's food industry is also being influenced by increasing awareness of chronic diseases, growing demand for sustainable food production, and the need for innovative food value chains amid climate change and rising energy costs.
The growth of the plant-based meat market and increasing funding for alternative protein companies are further supporting regional demand for pea protein. In addition, the rapid rise of supermarkets in developing Asia Pacific markets is expected to expand the retail reach of pea protein products beyond direct and online sales, supporting wider product adoption.
Top Companies in the Pea Protein Market
The report profiles key players such as Roquette Frères (France), ADM (US), Ingredion (US), Kerry Group plc (Ireland), Glanbia plc (Ireland), Cargill, Incorporated (US), International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (US), PURIS (US), Emsland Group (Germany), Yantai Shuangta Food Co., Ltd. (China), Burcon (Canada), Axiom Foods, Inc. (US), Shandong Jianyuan group (China), ET-Chem (China), AGT Food and Ingredients Inc. (Canada), and others.
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Investment Funding Context
In 2024, IFF made a strategic investment in cutting-edge high-moisture extrusion (HME) technology from Coperion, a global leader in extrusion technology. The adoption of HME technology aims to enhance the overall sensory experience of plant-based meat and seafood products, providing distinct advantages such as heightened juiciness and a texture resembling that of real muscle fibers. Furthermore, in the same year, Emsland Group invested approximately EUR 25 million in a new potato flake production facility in Emlichheim, Germany. The investment expanded the company's potato processing capacity and strengthened its position in potato-based ingredients. The facility includes new drying technology and was designed to increase production efficiency and create additional employment opportunities.
Revenue Shift Context
The pea protein market is shifting from conventional use in basic plant-based and meat-alternative products toward higher-value, functional, and application-specific protein solutions, driven by growing demand for clean-label, plant-based, allergen-conscious, and protein-fortified products. Growth is increasingly supported by sports and active nutrition, functional foods and beverages, dairy alternatives, meat alternatives, dietary supplements, and pet nutrition, alongside innovation in isolates, concentrates, textured proteins, organic grades, and improved solubility, flavor, emulsification, and texture performance. This evolution indicates that market value growth is being driven not only by increasing consumption volumes but also by premiumization, higher-purity ingredients, functional differentiation, and expansion into specialized applications, creating opportunities for manufacturers to capture greater value through differentiated pea protein solutions.
Pea Protein Market: Deals
Month & Year |
Deal Type |
Company 1 |
Company 2 |
Description |
Jul-26 |
Partnership |
Axiom Foods Inc. (US) |
NNB Nutrition (China) |
Axiom Foods partnered with NNB Nutrition to develop next-generation "Protein+" functional plant-based nutrition products across North America and Asia. The partnership combines Axiom Foods' portfolio of plant proteins, including pea protein, with NNB Nutrition's functional ingredients targeting healthy aging, cognitive health, hydration, metabolic health, and mood. Companies aim to support applications such as plant-based beverages, ready-to-drink products, powders, stick packs, and active nutrition formats. |
Feb-23 |
Partnership |
Kerry Group plc (Ireland) |
Azelis (Belgium) and Caldic (Netherlands) |
This partnership will help Kerry Group plc expand its distribution network across Europe. |
Company Revenue Share Details
While studying any market, it is important to identify the key players. The analysis related to the key players and their share in the market helps identify the extent to which they provide a premium-quality product, premium service, or price advantage. A company with a large market share will likely have higher profit margins. The market share explains the consumer's preference for a product over other similar products. A larger market share also signifies that the company has achieved economies of scale in procurement, manufacturing, marketing, and other cost components. The market share analysis conducted by MarketsandMarkets portrays that the current structure of the pea protein market is competitive, with the top five players accounting for 30–35% of the global pea protein market.
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Protein Ingredients Market by Source (Animal, Plant, Insect, Microbial), Form (Dry, Liquid), Application (Food & Beverage, Feed, Cosmetics & Personal Care, Pharmaceutical), Functionality, and Region - Global Forecast to 2031
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