Edible Insects Market By Insect Type (Crickets, Mealworms, Black Soldier Fly, Grasshoppers, Others); By Application (Human Food, Animal Feed, Pet Food, Nutraceuticals & Supplements, Cosmetics & Industrial Use); By End User (Food & Beverage Manufacturers, Animal Feed Producers, Pet Food Brands, Retail & Specialty Stores, Research & Academic Institutions); By Geography, Segment Revenue Estimation, Forecast, 2024–2030

1. Introduction and Strategic Context

The Global Edible Insects Market will witness a robust CAGR of 16.9% , valued at USD 3.6 billion in 2024 , expected to appreciate and reach USD 9.2 billion by 2030 , confirms Strategic Market Research.

 

Edible insects — once relegated to niche traditions or survival diets — are now at the center of a quiet protein revolution. As the global food system grapples with resource constraints, climate stress, and shifting consumer values, insect-based foods are emerging as a serious contender in the alternative protein market. The strategic relevance here goes far beyond novelty. It’s about sustainability, scalability, and how global diets might evolve when efficiency becomes non-negotiable.

 

The logic is simple. Insects require less feed, land, and water compared to traditional livestock. They emit fewer greenhouse gases and convert biomass into protein with staggering efficiency. Crickets, for example, need six times less feed than cattle to produce the same amount of protein. For food security policymakers and sustainability-driven investors, that math is hard to ignore.

 

More importantly, consumer sentiment is shifting. Once met with skepticism or even disgust, insect-based foods are gaining traction across protein bars, meat substitutes, snacks, and flours. This is being driven by younger, climate-aware demographics and urban flexitarians who want to reduce meat intake — not necessarily for ethics, but for health and the planet. Companies are responding. We’re now seeing mealworms in energy bars, cricket powder in dog food, and black soldier fly larvae in aquaculture feed — all backed by growing regulatory frameworks in North America, Europe, and Asia.

 

This shift is also spurred by tightening global protein supply chains. Poultry and beef prices have soared post-2022, pushing food processors to consider cost-effective, high-yield ingredients. Insect farms — especially vertical, tech-enabled ones — offer reliable protein output at a fraction of the cost footprint.

 

The stakeholder landscape is widening fast. Startups are leading innovation in insect processing, flavor masking, and texture development. Retailers are launching private-label insect snacks. Agri -tech firms are retrofitting insect farms with AI and climate controls. Governments are rolling out grants and approvals for insect feed and food-grade facilities. And VCs ? They’re funding it all — betting big on the idea that the next great protein isn’t grown in a pasture, but in a climate-controlled bin.

 

In short, edible insects are no longer a fringe curiosity. They’re now a strategic bet in global food system transformation — not because people suddenly love the taste, but because the numbers work.

 

2. Market Segmentation and Forecast Scope

The edible insects market is segmented across four key dimensions: by insect type , by application , by end user , and by region . Each dimension reflects how players — from agri -tech startups to FMCG giants — are positioning insects not just as a food novelty, but as a scalable ingredient for diverse ecosystems.

By Insect Type

• Crickets

• Mealworms

• Black Soldier Fly (BSF)

• Grasshoppers

• Others (locusts, silkworms, beetles)

Crickets currently dominate the market in 2024 due to their balanced protein profile and relatively neutral taste — making them ideal for powders and processed foods. That said, Black Soldier Fly is catching up fast, especially in animal feed and pet food. Their larvae convert organic waste into biomass rapidly, drawing interest from circular economy players.

By Application

• Human Food

• Animal Feed

• Pet Food

• Nutraceuticals & Supplements

• Cosmetics & Industrial Use

Human food holds the largest share of market revenue in 2024, particularly in Western markets where cricket-based snacks, powders, and baked goods are scaling up. But here's what’s interesting : animal feed — especially for poultry and aquaculture — is the fastest-growing segment. Feed producers are replacing fishmeal and soy with insect protein to reduce environmental and cost burdens.

By End User

• Food & Beverage Manufacturers

• Animal Feed Producers

• Pet Food Brands

• Retail & Specialty Stores

• Research & Academic Institutions

Food and beverage manufacturers are the core customer base, especially for processed cricket and mealworm powders. But pet food brands are emerging as an important new buyer group. With rising demand for hypoallergenic and sustainable ingredients, they’re tapping into insect protein as a functional alternative to chicken or beef.

By Region

• North America

• Europe

• Asia Pacific

• Latin America

• Middle East & Africa (MEA)

Europe is leading the charge in regulatory approvals and consumer acceptance. The EU’s green taxonomy is actively promoting insect protein for sustainability. Asia Pacific , on the other hand, has deep cultural familiarity with edible insects and is experiencing a resurgence of interest — this time in processed, value-added formats. North America is growing steadily but still battling perception challenges.

 

3. Market Trends and Innovation Landscape

The edible insects space is moving fast — and it’s no longer just about getting people to eat bugs. The narrative has shifted to tech-enabled production, high-protein formulations, and sustainable supply chains. Innovation is happening across the board: in farming systems, flavor design, regulatory strategy, and even branding.

Insect Farming Is Going Vertical — and Smart

Forget backyard cricket farms. Today’s leading insect producers are operating modular, vertical farming units fitted with climate control, IoT sensors, and AI-based feed optimization. Companies like Ÿnsect and Beta Hatch are building facilities that look more like semiconductor fabs than farms.

These systems are designed for scalability. They use automated climate management to regulate humidity and temperature, while AI optimizes feed conversion ratios in real time. This level of control turns insect farming into a high-yield, low-waste protein engine — especially valuable in urban or resource-constrained environments.

Flavor Masking and Texture Engineering Are Critical

The biggest barrier to adoption isn’t nutrition — it’s perception. So brands are investing in flavor masking , texturization , and form blending to make insect ingredients invisible to the consumer. Cricket powder, for example, is now being integrated into protein bars, pancake mixes, and even pasta, without altering taste or appearance.

A few innovators are going further. One U.S.-based startup is pairing cricket flour with pea protein and fermented soy to mimic ground beef texture. In Europe, firms are using enzymatic processing to create insect oils for baked goods.

Pet Food and Feed Formulations Get the R&D Spotlight

Insects are making inroads where humans hesitate — in pet food and animal feed . R&D teams are optimizing insect meal blends for digestibility, amino acid balance, and micronutrient bioavailability.

Aquafeed manufacturers are leading the charge. As fishmeal becomes unsustainable, black soldier fly larvae are being integrated into salmon and tilapia diets. Early studies suggest equal or better growth rates. This is reshaping sustainability narratives in aquaculture — an industry under intense scrutiny.

Regulatory Tailwinds Are Picking Up

Until recently, regulatory ambiguity held the market back. That’s changing. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has approved several insect species for human consumption. In the U.S. , the FDA and AAFCO are moving faster on feed-grade clearances.

Some Asian governments are catching up too. Thailand and South Korea are formalizing standards for insect food production, while Singapore recently issued guidelines for food-grade insect facilities. For many stakeholders, regulatory clarity is now the growth unlock.

Branding Is Getting Smarter — and Less Buggy

One major shift: the best-performing brands are moving away from “shock factor” marketing. Instead of showing a grasshopper on the label, they emphasize sustainability, protein content, and culinary quality. The result? Broader mainstream appeal.

Even packaging is evolving — minimalist design, carbon footprint icons, and claims like “planet-positive protein” are becoming common. This subtle but powerful repositioning could determine how fast insects enter everyday diets — especially in Western markets.

 

4. Competitive Intelligence and Benchmarking

This market isn’t dominated by legacy food giants — at least not yet. Instead, a wave of startups and mid-sized firms are defining what the edible insects industry looks like. Their edge? Speed, sustainability, and the ability to design products for both niche and mass-market entry points. Let’s break down how the key players are positioning themselves.

Ÿnsect

Headquartered in France, Ÿnsect is widely seen as one of the most advanced insect protein companies globally. Their focus is vertical farming of mealworms — but they’re not just selling bug flour. They’re building fully integrated protein ecosystems , from breeding to processing to finished ingredients. In 2024, their newest facility became the world’s largest insect farm, running on renewable energy and AI-optimized feed cycles.

Their commercial strategy? Supplying high-grade protein and oils for animal feed, aquaculture, pet food, and now even human supplements. Ÿnsect’s differentiator is scale. And in a capital-intensive segment, scale equals survival.

Aspire Food Group

Based in Canada and operating facilities in the U.S., Aspire specializes in automated cricket farming. Their model is tech-heavy: smart enclosures, vertical stacks, and robotic harvesting. They’re focusing on cricket powder for food applications and are one of the few firms with B2B partnerships with CPG brands .

What sets Aspire apart is how they market their tech — not their product. They pitch themselves as a precision agriculture firm first, protein supplier second. This appeals to investors who see edible insects as infrastructure, not just a food trend.

Entomo Farms

Also from Canada, Entomo Farms is among the most established edible insect producers in North America. Their cricket and mealworm flours are already being used in protein bars, snacks, and pet foods sold across major U.S. retailers. They’ve also collaborated with NGOs on food security initiatives, supplying insect protein to rural or disaster-hit regions.

Their core play? Clean-label, non-GMO, food-grade insect powders — a low-barrier entry point for manufacturers testing the space.

Protix

Based in the Netherlands, Protix is another heavy hitter in black soldier fly (BSF) farming. Their operations are fully circular: food waste in, high-protein larvae out. They’ve secured major feed contracts in poultry and aquaculture, and are now piloting insect-based lipid products for cosmetics and animal health.

One key differentiator is their traceability tech . They provide end-to-end data — from substrate source to protein yield — which makes them a go-to for buyers under ESG pressure.

Beta Hatch

A U.S. firm with a sharp focus on mealworm farming for animal feed . Beta Hatch’s model emphasizes sustainability — their farms run on renewable energy, and they prioritize upcycled feed inputs. They’ve attracted both public and private funding by positioning insects as a climate-smart input for regenerative agriculture .

While smaller in output than Protix or Ÿnsect , their edge is in environmental metrics and modular farm design — both key selling points for regional or decentralized feed producers.

Competitive Dynamics at a Glance:

• Ÿnsect and Protix are racing ahead in industrial-scale insect protein with ESG alignment.

• Aspire and Entomo are consumer-facing pioneers — first to market in snack and food applications.

• Beta Hatch is carving out a niche in feed sustainability and decentralized production.

 

5. Regional Landscape and Adoption Outlook

Adoption of edible insects varies widely across regions — shaped not just by regulation or GDP, but by culture, cuisine, and climate priorities. Some countries see insects as a tech-enabled superfood. Others view them as famine food or livestock waste. Here's how the regional landscape is playing out.

North America

This region is still in the early mainstreaming phase. Regulatory pathways are opening — especially for pet food and animal feed — but human consumption remains a psychological hurdle. That said, interest is building, especially in climate-conscious cities and among fitness-oriented consumers.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given limited approvals for cricket-based products, and the AAFCO has cleared certain insect meals for poultry and salmon feed. Canada is further along — companies like Entomo Farms and Aspire have national reach and export capabilities.

Retailers like Whole Foods and Sprouts are testing cricket protein bars and insect-based snacks in select locations. Still, the market here is supply-led, not demand-driven — at least for now.

Europe

Europe is the most structured and regulated edible insects market globally. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has approved multiple species — including yellow mealworms and migratory locusts — for human consumption under the Novel Food Regulation.

Countries like the Netherlands , France , and Germany are leading in production and product development. Insect protein is already used in pasta, crackers, burger patties , and even bakery items in retail chains like Carrefour and Aldi.

EU policy is also a tailwind. The bloc’s Green Deal and Farm-to-Fork Strategy incentivize low-emission proteins. Insects fit perfectly into that equation — which is why Europe isn’t just permitting edible insects, it’s actively promoting them.

Asia Pacific

Asia is unique: it has cultural acceptance but fragmented commercialization . Countries like Thailand , Vietnam , and China have long histories of eating insects — often whole, fried, or seasoned. But industrial processing and packaging are still catching up.

Thailand is leading on formalization. It has over 20,000 insect farms and recently launched a regulatory framework for edible insect exports. South Korea is pushing R&D in functional insect ingredients, while Japan is exploring crickets for school meals and astronaut food.

Meanwhile, China is investing in insect protein — not for human food, but for animal feed and organic waste conversion . Its agritech firms are building insect-based bioconversion parks to replace fishmeal in aquaculture and pigs.

Latin America

Adoption is rising, but uneven. In Mexico , edible insects like chapulines (grasshoppers) are part of the cultural heritage and increasingly appear in fusion cuisine and tourist markets. Brazil is seeing a surge in startups producing insect protein for aquafeed and dog food.

Still, scaling is limited by regulation and inconsistent investment. Most edible insect ventures remain small, artisanal, or informal , with limited processing capacity.

Middle East & Africa (MEA)

Insects could become a critical protein source in food-insecure regions of Sub-Saharan Africa. Countries like Uganda , Kenya , and Nigeria are experimenting with black soldier fly farms for poultry feed and organic waste treatment.

Donor-backed pilot programs are using insect farms to address both nutrition and income in rural areas. That said, scaling is hindered by poor cold-chain infrastructure and limited policy guidance.

In the Middle East , interest is growing in circular food systems . The UAE has funded pilot insect farms to produce animal feed using food waste — especially useful in desert climates where traditional agriculture is resource-heavy.

Regional Dynamics Snapshot:

• Europe leads in regulation, branding, and consumer access.

• Asia-Pacific leads in cultural acceptance and production volume.

• North America is scaling through innovation and pet food first.

• LAMEA has latent demand but needs infrastructure and policy support.

 

6. End-User Dynamics and Use Case

The edible insects market touches multiple sectors — from food startups to pet nutrition, livestock farming, and even academia. But what’s striking is how differently each end user approaches it. Some seek sustainability. Others need shelf stability or protein density. The drivers vary, but the momentum is building across the board.

Food & Beverage Manufacturers

This group is at the center of product innovation. F&B companies are experimenting with cricket and mealworm powders in:

• Protein bars and snacks

• Pasta, pancake, and baking mixes

• Meat analogs and savory snacks

Larger brands often partner with startups for access to pre-processed insect ingredients that meet food-grade specs and pass regulatory checks. The key challenge? Consumer acceptance. So most products are labeled as “sustainable protein” rather than using words like "insect" up front.

One European snack company recently launched a cricket protein chip under a clean-label sub-brand — sales doubled expectations in the first quarter after launch.

Animal Feed Producers

For this group, insects aren’t just novel — they’re functional . Feed companies are incorporating insect meal into:

• Aquafeed (especially salmon, trout, and tilapia)

• Poultry feed (layer hens and broilers)

• Piglet starter feeds

The benefits? High digestibility, favorable amino acid profiles, and immunity-boosting micronutrients. Many producers also like the circular logic — insect farms can use food waste, converting a liability into protein.

In regions with high fishmeal prices or import reliance, this is no longer a niche option — it’s a cost strategy.

Pet Food Brands

Pet food is emerging as a breakout segment. The appeal: insect protein is hypoallergenic, highly digestible, and rich in lauric acid , a natural antimicrobial. It’s especially useful for:

• Dogs with food sensitivities

• Sustainable or vegan-labeled pet foods

• Functional products like skin/coat health or digestive balance

Big names like Nestlé Purina and Mars Petcare are already piloting insect-based SKUs , especially in Europe and Asia.

Retailers and Specialty Stores

Retailers serve as both gatekeepers and amplifiers. Some are experimenting with dedicated shelf space for alt-proteins, including edible insects. High-end specialty stores and e-commerce platforms are more likely to stock these items, often under climate-conscious or fitness-focused categories .

The main concern? Turnover. Products need strong visual branding and clear use cases to avoid sitting on shelves.

Academic & Research Institutions

Universities are critical in expanding insect applications beyond food — into nutraceuticals, cosmetics, biofertilizers , and bioplastics . Research centers are also driving protein digestibility studies, consumer psychology trials , and cost-of-production models that influence investor sentiment.

Use Case Highlight

A mid-size aquaculture feed company in Vietnam faced rising costs due to global fishmeal volatility. They partnered with a local insect farm producing black soldier fly (BSF) meal and began substituting 30% of their traditional protein input with BSF larvae powder.

Within six months:

• Feed conversion ratios improved by 12%

• Mortality in fingerlings dropped by 8%

• Operating margins rose despite input cost inflation

The success led them to co-invest in an adjacent insect farming facility. What started as a feed switch became a vertically integrated protein strategy.

 

7. Recent Developments + Opportunities & Restraints

Recent Developments (Last 2 Years)

1. Protix and Tyson Foods formed a joint venture (2023) to scale insect protein production for animal feed in the U.S. The partnership includes a new BSF production facility using food processing byproducts as input — a move that brings insect protein into mainstream agribusiness.

2. Ÿnsect received EU funding for its vertical insect farm in Amiens, France (2023), designed to produce mealworm-based protein for human and animal applications. This facility is billed as the most advanced insect farm in the world.

3. Singapore Food Agency approved new insect species for human consumption in 2024, including silkworm pupae and locusts — making Singapore a leading APAC hub for insect food regulation.

4. Nestlé Purina introduced an insect-based dry dog food line across parts of Europe under its “Beyond Nature’s Protein” range. The cricket- and BSF-based formulas emphasize sustainability and digestibility.

5. Beta Hatch secured Series B funding (2024) to expand its mealworm production facility in Washington, U.S., targeting feed applications for poultry and aquaculture.

Opportunities

1. Expansion into Functional Foods and Supplements Insects are rich not just in protein, but in micronutrients like iron, zinc, and omega fatty acids. This opens the door for use in fortified products, sports nutrition , and geriatric health supplements — all segments seeing global growth.

2. Circular Food System Integration With mounting pressure to reduce food waste, insects offer a compelling closed-loop system. Insect bioconversion farms can turn food scraps into high-value protein. This has major appeal for urban municipalities and food processors under ESG mandates.

3. Regulatory Momentum in Emerging Markets As more countries formalize edible insect approvals, global market access improves. Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa are warming up — not just as producers, but as domestic markets.

Restraints

1. Consumer Perception in Western Markets Let’s be honest: getting someone in New York or Berlin to eat bugs still requires serious messaging work. Texture, taste concerns, and cultural bias remain the biggest friction points in retail uptake.

2. Capital and Cost Hurdles Insect farming may be low-footprint, but it's not low-cost — especially at scale. Controlled environments, automation, and processing infrastructure require upfront capital. Many startups struggle to cross the "pilot-to-profitable" chasm.

 

7.1. Report Coverage Table

Report Coverage Table

Report Attribute	Details
Forecast Period	2024 – 2030
Market Size Value in 2024	USD 3.6 Billion
Revenue Forecast in 2030	USD 9.2 Billion
Overall Growth Rate	CAGR of 16.9% (2024 – 2030)
Base Year for Estimation	2023
Historical Data	2018 – 2022
Unit	USD Million, CAGR (2024 – 2030)
Segmentation	By Insect Type, By Application, By End User, By Region
By Insect Type	Crickets, Mealworms, Black Soldier Fly, Grasshoppers, Others
By Application	Human Food, Animal Feed, Pet Food, Nutraceuticals & Supplements, Cosmetics & Industrial Use
By End User	Food & Beverage Manufacturers, Animal Feed Producers, Pet Food Brands, Retail & Specialty Stores, Research & Academic Institutions
By Region	North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa
Country Scope	U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands, China, India, Japan, Brazil, Singapore, South Africa
Market Drivers	- Surge in sustainable protein demand - Regulatory approvals unlocking new applications - Growth in pet and aquafeed innovation
Customization Option	Available upon request