Mealworms Market By Product Type (Whole Mealworms, Mealworm Powder, Mealworm Oil); By Application (Animal Feed, Human Food, Pet Food); By End User (Feed Manufacturers, Food Companies, Pet Food Brands, Direct-to-Consumer); By Geography, Segment Revenue Estimation, Forecast, 2024–2030

Introduction And Strategic Context

The Global Mealworms Market is set to expand at a robust CAGR of 12.4%, reaching an estimated value of USD 1.2 billion in 2024 and is projected to cross USD 2.5 billion by 2030, according to Strategic Market Research.

 

Mealworms—larvae of the Tenebrio molitor beetle—are driving a shift in the protein supply chain, drawing attention for their role as a sustainable, high-protein food and feed source. In the period from 2024 to 2030, the strategic significance of mealworms is only going to increase, shaped by a mix of global protein shortages, climate action policies, and rapid advances in insect farming technology.

 

By 2024, the demand for alternative proteins has moved well beyond experimental status. What’s fueling this? Rising population pressure, tightening agricultural land, and a consumer pushback against the environmental footprint of conventional livestock. Mealworms, with their high feed conversion ratios and modest land and water requirements, stand out. They’re being farmed not just for animal feed (aquaculture, poultry, and pet food) but are also starting to appear in functional foods, protein bars, and even meat analogues on Western shelves.

 

Policy makers and food regulators have started to update their frameworks. The European Union’s “Novel Food” authorizations now specifically mention mealworms, opening doors for commercial sale across Europe. In Asia, mealworm production is growing fast, with China and South Korea leading both export and innovation. North America is catching up, as environmental concerns and supply chain disruptions during the pandemic led to renewed interest in resilient protein sources.

 

Tech is a huge part of this story. Automation in breeding and harvesting, AI-driven sorting, and advances in microbial safety protocols are reducing the cost and boosting yields. Startups are scaling vertical farms for year-round mealworm output, while established agri-food conglomerates are entering the space through investments and joint ventures.

 

Stakeholder interest is also diversifying. It’s not just small farms or niche food startups anymore. The market now includes multinational feed producers, major food and beverage manufacturers, pet food brands, and a wave of venture investors. Sustainability-focused government agencies, NGOs, and climate action groups are also involved, funding pilot projects or developing frameworks to ensure responsible production.

 

Market Segmentation And Forecast Scope

The Global Mealworms Market is split across multiple dimensions, each reflecting how different industries and regions adopt mealworms as a functional ingredient or protein source. This isn’t a market where a single use case dominates; it’s defined by a blend of feed, food, and industrial applications, all evolving fast between 2024 and 2030.

• By Product Type
  Mealworm products are typically segmented into whole mealworms, mealworm powder, and mealworm oil. Whole mealworms are the traditional form, favored for animal feed and, in some cultures, direct human consumption. Mealworm powder is gaining ground quickly—especially in North America and Europe—used in protein bars, sports nutrition, and bakery products. Mealworm oil (still a niche) is emerging in specialty animal feed and select cosmetics. In 2024, mealworm powder accounted for roughly 34% of the global market by revenue, reflecting its versatility and adoption in health-oriented consumer products.

• By Application
  Demand varies dramatically by application. The three primary segments are animal feed, human food, and pet food. Animal feed —particularly aquaculture and poultry—has long been the mainstay, valued for its protein content and digestibility. Pet food applications are surging, thanks to the growing “humanization” of pets and interest in hypoallergenic, novel proteins. Human food is the most dynamic: in the EU, the rollout of mealworm-based snacks and protein-enriched foods has gone mainstream, while APAC sees strong uptake in traditional markets. As of 2024, animal feed remains the largest segment, but human food is the fastest-growing, expected to expand at well over 15% CAGR through 2030.

• By End User
  The main end users are animal feed manufacturers, food and beverage companies, pet food brands, and direct-to-consumer online platforms. Large-scale feed companies leverage mealworms for high-performance livestock diets. Food processors and start-ups are developing new recipes around mealworm protein, especially in regions where consumer acceptance is rising. Pet food brands are adding mealworm-based lines targeting allergies or environmental concerns. Online sales, especially for DIY home reptile and bird feed, are also climbing.

• By Region
  Geographically, the market divides into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and LAMEA (Latin America, Middle East, Africa). Europe leads in regulatory clarity and product innovation—particularly in the food segment, where EU approval has accelerated product launches. Asia Pacific is the largest in production, led by China, South Korea, and Thailand, thanks to established insect farming infrastructure and favorable cultural attitudes. North America is catching up, especially in sustainable pet food and specialty feed. LAMEA represents a significant opportunity, with Brazil and select Middle East countries investing in pilot insect farms for animal feed security.

 

Market Trends And Innovation Landscape

The Global Mealworms Market is being reshaped by an unusual combination of sustainability trends, biotech breakthroughs, and rapid commercialization. In just a few years, what started as experimental insect farming has matured into a field with serious R&D pipelines, food science investment, and production automation. Here’s what’s driving the shift from niche to mainstream.

 

One of the most notable trends is the acceleration of vertical farming for mealworm production. Traditional insect farming depended on small batches, with labor-intensive sorting and manual feeding. Now, automated vertical stacks are running in climate-controlled warehouses, using robotic feeding systems and AI-driven monitoring for optimal growth. This is slashing costs per kilogram and making year-round output feasible—even in regions with challenging climates.

 

Biotech is also having a moment. Researchers are engineering mealworm strains for higher protein or fat content, disease resistance, and faster growth cycles. Some startups are even exploring CRISPR-based gene edits to fine-tune nutritional profiles, although regulatory acceptance for gene-edited insects remains uneven worldwide. There’s growing industry consensus that the next generation of mealworm products will be both cleaner and more customizable than ever before.

 

Food science is another frontier. In the past, texture and taste were major barriers to using mealworms in human food. But with new protein extraction and hydrolysis techniques, companies are developing odorless, neutral-tasting mealworm flours and isolates that integrate easily into bakery, pasta, and snack products. As a result, even conservative food giants are quietly rolling out pilot products under their wellness or alternative protein lines.

 

Innovation isn’t only about the product. New business models are emerging too. Contract mealworm farming—where agri -tech firms supply larvae, feed, and tech support to distributed farms—has seen rapid uptake in Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe. This enables smaller farms to tap into global demand without massive capital outlay.

 

Industry collaboration is picking up. Major animal nutrition players have announced joint ventures with mealworm startups to develop proprietary feed blends, targeting aquaculture and poultry. In the consumer food segment, partnerships with health food brands and supermarket chains are making mealworm products more visible on shelves and in e-commerce channels.

 

Finally, there’s a push toward circularity. Some companies now use agricultural byproducts or food waste as feed for mealworms, closing nutrient loops and improving sustainability metrics. This approach is attracting ESG-focused investors, who view mealworms as a key lever in the drive toward a lower-impact protein supply chain.

 

Competitive Intelligence And Benchmarking

The competitive landscape of the Global Mealworms Market is evolving fast, with a mix of specialized insect protein startups, major feed manufacturers, and new entrants from the food and agritech sectors. Over the past few years, what was once a fragmented field of small, local producers has started to consolidate—though innovation and agility still matter as much as size.

 

Ynsect is widely seen as one of the pioneers in large-scale mealworm production. Based in France, the company’s edge is its heavy investment in proprietary vertical farming technology and fully automated facilities. Ynsect has focused on securing intellectual property around both production processes and end-product formulations. Their strategy includes exclusive supply contracts with major aquafeed producers and forays into pet food and fertilizer. Geographic expansion remains a key goal, with pilot operations outside Europe underway.

 

Beta Hatch in the US is pushing hard on sustainability and regional supply chains. Their facilities are designed to run on renewable energy and convert agricultural byproducts into high-value protein and frass (insect manure) for local markets. Beta Hatch’s partnerships with animal feed manufacturers and retail pet brands are helping to push mealworms into mainstream US agriculture. Their differentiator is a strong story around local sourcing and environmental metrics, appealing to ESG-conscious buyers.

 

Protifarm (Netherlands) is among the most vertically integrated players, moving mealworms all the way from rearing to finished food-grade ingredients. Their focus on traceability and compliance with European food safety standards allows them to collaborate directly with global food companies launching mealworm-based snacks and supplements. Protifarm is betting on first-mover advantage in the human food segment, especially as regulations evolve.

 

Tebrio (Spain) is targeting scale. Their business model is built on large capacity, automated production, and B2B sales of mealworm powder and oil to the pet food and animal feed sectors. Tebrio has invested in circular economy models, using agri -waste as feedstock and marketing the residual frass as a soil amendment. Their pricing strategy is about lowering unit costs to accelerate adoption across value chains.

 

AgriProtein and MealFood Europe are notable for pushing the boundaries of product and market reach. AgriProtein has diversified into multiple insect species but maintains a mealworm line focused on premium animal nutrition. MealFood Europe is leaning into R&D, seeking partnerships with academic institutions and food innovation labs to keep a technology lead.

 

Competition is shifting on several fronts. Scale and automation are still differentiators, but now, regulatory know-how, partnerships with established food and feed brands, and transparent sustainability practices are equally decisive. Most players see North America and Asia Pacific as the next big battlegrounds—where brand trust and supply reliability could determine winners and losers.

 

Regional Landscape And Adoption Outlook

Regional adoption of mealworms isn’t unfolding in a straight line. Market growth, consumer acceptance, and regulatory frameworks look very different depending on where you are. Some regions are scaling up production for export, others are betting on local consumption, and a few are just starting to dip a toe in the water.

 

Europe is leading on both regulation and consumer food innovation. The European Union’s approval of mealworms for human food under the Novel Food Regulation has triggered a wave of product launches—think protein snacks, pastas, and even burger patties made with mealworm flour. Supermarkets in countries like France, Belgium, and the Netherlands are now carrying mealworm-based foods. At the same time, large feed companies across Europe are integrating mealworms into their formulas, especially for aquaculture and poultry. The region benefits from strong consumer interest in sustainability and a policy environment that actively supports alternative proteins. Infrastructure for vertical insect farming is also growing, driven by both public and private investment.

 

Asia Pacific is the engine room for global production. China and South Korea are far ahead in terms of mealworm farm capacity, leveraging decades of insect-rearing experience and relatively low barriers to entry. In these countries, mealworms have a long history as traditional food, and modern producers are building on this foundation to scale industrial output. Japan and Thailand are also expanding fast—Japan on the premium health food front, and Thailand as a regional supplier for animal feed. One challenge here is regulatory fragmentation; local rules vary widely, so companies often focus first on export markets with clear legal pathways. Still, consumer interest is strong, especially among health-conscious millennials and pet owners looking for hypoallergenic ingredients.

 

North America is moving quickly from skepticism to acceptance. US and Canadian regulators have taken a cautious approach to approving insects for food, but the momentum is building. Pet food has been the breakthrough segment—mealworm-based treats and toppers are now available in major retail chains. For human consumption, start-ups are partnering with food tech accelerators and retail grocers to test-market everything from protein bars to ready-to-mix powders. The real tipping point could come as climate and supply chain pressures nudge feed manufacturers toward more resilient, lower-impact protein options.

 

Latin America, Middle East, and Africa (LAMEA) are early in the cycle but showing real promise. In Brazil, several pilot projects are underway to introduce mealworm meal into poultry and aquaculture feeds, with support from local universities and government agencies. South Africa and some Gulf countries are investing in research and demonstration farms, mainly to shore up food security and reduce reliance on imported protein. For now, scale is limited, and consumer-facing products remain rare, but the groundwork is being laid for broader adoption.

 

End-User Dynamics And Use Case

End users in the Global Mealworms Market are more varied than ever. Each group—whether animal feed manufacturers, food processors, pet food brands, or even direct consumers—has unique goals and challenges when it comes to mealworm adoption. The landscape is shaped by shifting economics, rising sustainability expectations, and, increasingly, the demand for transparency.

 

Animal feed manufacturers were the earliest adopters and still account for the largest share of volume globally. Their focus is on the high protein, digestibility, and efficient feed conversion that mealworms provide. In the past, most interest was around aquaculture, especially in Europe and Southeast Asia, where mealworm meal can partially replace fishmeal. Now, poultry and pig feed producers are starting to blend in mealworm powder for improved growth rates and gut health, especially as antibiotic use in livestock declines. For many, the ability to market feed as “sustainable” or “circular” is an added bonus, opening up access to premium buyers and ESG-driven investors.

 

Pet food brands are ramping up quickly, especially in North America and Europe. Consumers are hunting for new, allergy-friendly, and eco-conscious protein sources for their pets, and mealworms fit the bill. Companies are now launching entire lines of mealworm-based dog treats, kibble, and even specialty reptile and bird foods. For the industry, this isn’t just a fad—repeat purchase rates are solid, and customer loyalty is strong among pet owners who care about health and sustainability. One emerging trend is private-label mealworm pet foods for major retailers, as supermarket chains look to capture the “green” pet parent.

 

Food and beverage companies are the newest major entrants. Their main challenge is consumer perception—especially in Western markets where eating insects is still novel. That said, the nutritional and sustainability story is compelling, and younger, health-oriented consumers are starting to warm up to mealworm protein bars, pasta, and fortified baked goods. The real breakthrough has come from using mealworm protein as a neutral-tasting, high-functionality ingredient—easy to blend into foods without a strong “insect” signature. In Asia and parts of Europe, direct human consumption is less of a hurdle, and mealworms are already featured in mainstream grocery items.

 

Direct-to-consumer channels —including online platforms—are a rapidly growing segment. Here, customers range from backyard chicken keepers to reptile enthusiasts to adventurous home cooks. Companies are increasingly using social media and influencer marketing to reach these buyers, offering small-batch dried mealworms or protein powders with eco-friendly packaging and detailed sourcing stories.

 

Use Case Highlight
A major aquaculture operation in northern France faced rising costs for fishmeal and growing regulatory pressure to reduce its environmental footprint. The company partnered with a regional mealworm producer to pilot a new feed blend: 25% of the fishmeal was replaced with locally sourced mealworm meal. Over a single season, fish growth rates and feed conversion ratios improved measurably, and water quality metrics showed a drop in nitrogen output—thanks to better digestibility. The farm used these results to secure a premium contract with a high-end seafood retailer, marketing its fish as “sustainably raised with circular protein.” Not only did margins improve, but the farm’s environmental certifications also strengthened its position for future export.

 

Recent Developments + Opportunities & Restraints

Recent Developments (Last 2 Years)

• Several large-scale mealworm farming facilities have gone online in Europe and Asia, featuring fully automated climate control, robotic harvesting, and AI-powered growth optimization.

• Major food companies in the EU and North America have launched pilot product lines—such as protein bars, snacks, and baked goods—incorporating mealworm protein.

• Partnerships between mealworm producers and aquaculture feed companies have resulted in the first commercial-scale feeds containing significant proportions of mealworm meal, now used in salmon and trout farming.

• Multiple pet food brands have debuted insect-based dog treats and kibble on supermarket shelves, citing hypoallergenic and eco-friendly benefits.

• Regulatory bodies in several Asian and Middle Eastern countries have begun to formalize standards for insect protein, making it easier for local producers to access new markets.

 

Opportunities

• Rapid adoption of mealworm protein in aquafeed and poultry feed, especially as global fishmeal prices remain volatile.

• Expansion of consumer food applications, with younger generations increasingly open to sustainable and alternative proteins in Western markets.

• Strong interest from pet food manufacturers in developing novel, allergy-friendly products for dogs, cats, birds, and reptiles.

• Advancement of circular economy models, including using agri-food byproducts as feedstock and marketing mealworm frass as an organic soil amendment.

 

Restraints

• Ongoing regulatory uncertainty in some major markets, slowing the approval of mealworm-derived ingredients for mainstream food use.

• High capital costs for scaling up automated, food-grade production facilities, which can be a barrier for small or new entrants.

• Limited consumer acceptance and “yuck” factor still present in some regions, requiring ongoing investment in education and marketing.

 

7.1. Report Coverage Table

Report Attribute	Details
Forecast Period	2024 – 2030
Market Size Value in 2024	USD 1.2 Billion
Revenue Forecast in 2030	USD 2.5 Billion
Overall Growth Rate	CAGR of 12.4% (2024 – 2030)
Base Year for Estimation	2024
Historical Data	2019 – 2023
Unit	USD Million, CAGR (2024 – 2030)
Segmentation	By Product Type, Application, End User, Geography
By Product Type	Whole Mealworms, Mealworm Powder, Mealworm Oil
By Application	Animal Feed, Human Food, Pet Food
By End User	Feed Manufacturers, Food Companies, Pet Food Brands, Direct-to-Consumer
By Region	North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa
Country Scope	U.S., Canada, Germany, France, China, India, Japan, Brazil, South Korea, etc.
Market Drivers	- Increasing demand for sustainable protein alternatives - Expansion of insect-based feed in aquaculture and poultry - Regulatory support and new product launches in food and pet sectors
Customization Option	Available upon request