Latest news with #edibleinsects
BBC News
06-07-2025
- Science
- BBC News
How many insects you go need to eat to replace chicken, pork or beef?
Ova di last ten years, e get a lot of tok about how to replace meat wit edible insects. Dem call am entomophagy wey be di practice of eating insects, either by humans or oda animals. E fit dey unusual for some kontris, but dis nutritional option dey gain popularity. Certain eating traditions, such as dose from Thailand, China and Mexico, don incorporate dem into dia recipes for centuries. Helping to fight hunger Since 2014, wen di Food and Agriculture Organization of di United Nations (FAO) publish di book "Edible insects, future prospects for food and feed security", discussion of to dey chop insect don wake again. Various studies don contribute to di debate, wey indicate say insect farming get a lower environmental impact dan di production of cow, pig and chicken meat. For example, for 1 kilo of edible chicken meat, 4.5 kilos of CO₂ equivalent dey emitted (dis na measure wey dem dey use to compare di emissions of several greenhouse gases, wey go convert dem to dia carbon dioxide equivalent), while 1 kilo of edible mealworm generates 2.8 kilos of CO₂ equivalent. Added to dis na di low water consumption and land use. Wit regard to di use of land, 1 kilo of chicken meat use 12.48 square meters of soil, compared to di 3.07 square meters needed to produce 1 kilo of darkling beetle. Using data from 2021, e dey estimated say a healthy diet cost 3.66 US dollars (around 2,100 CFA francs) per person per day wey mean say 42.2% of di world population fit no get access to am. For dis context, di consumption of edible insects fit become a solution and reduce hunger through self-consumption systems wia infrastructure and production costs dey easier to cover. Howeva, to dey use insects as an ingredient remain a challenge for many crops. High protein content Worldwide, dem dey chop around 2,250 species of insects and spiders including beetles, butterflies, wasps and bees. For Europe, legislation allow di production of four species for human consumption: mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor), migratory grasshopper (Locusta migratoria), house cricket (Acheta domesticus) and dung beetle larvae (Alphitobius diaperinus), wey contain 53.2%, 56.8%, 62.6% and 50.79% protein by dry weight respectively. Sake of comparison, di protein content of beef, pork and chicken na 24.1%, 22.2% and 21% respectively. So how many insects you go need to replace meat? Although e no dey not easy to calculate, make we use simple terms explain am. Di Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) suggest 0.83 grams of protein per kilo of body weight per day. In oda words, a 70-kg pesin go need to consume 58.1 grams of protein per day. If we do di math, a pesin wey get a body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9 and weighing 70 kilos go need to eat 277 grams of beef against 93 grams of dried cricket, if na dia only sources of protein. Anoda example na for a pesin wey weigh 80 kilos, di recommended daily intake go be 276 grams of chicken versus 131 grams of dried lobster. If oda protein sources dey available, such as milk, eggs, fish and legumes, to dey chop insect go need adjustment. And here, e dey needed to rememba di need to combine various food groups (fruit, vegetables, cereals, fish, etc.) and nutrients (healthy fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, etc.) to achieve healthy diet. Healthy and sustainable food To conclude, to meet protein needs requires less food if we get am from insects. Micro-farming get environmental benefits and lower investment compared to industrial farming. E dey important to point out say animal exploitation dey higher for di case of insects (from 70% to 100%), compared to fish (65%), chicken and pork (55%), and cattle (between 40% and 50%). In addition, insects contain about 60% monounsaturated fatty acids, wey make am cardio-healthy eating option. If we focus on di sensory aspect, e dey possible to combine di flavors wit many well-known and accepted Western ingredients, such as pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, chicken, shrimp powder, caviar, and avocado, among odas. Foods wit edible insects not only provide a sense of belonging to dose wey dey eat am in di traditional way, dem also get di capacity to provide a unique eating experience and a nutritious one. * Edgar Pulido Chávez is a research professor for di Center for Agriculture, Food and Climate Crisis Studies, University of Guadalajara; Alejandro Corona Mariscal na doctoral student for di Polytechnic University of València.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Edible Insects Market to Reach $28.54 Billion by 2035, Growing at an Exceptional CAGR of 28.1% from 2025, Says Meticulous Research®
Market Growth Driven by Sustainable Protein Demand, Rising Global Population, Food Security Concerns, Environmental Benefits, and Expanding Alternative Protein Research Investment REDDING, Calif., June 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a comprehensive market research report titled "Edible Insects Market by Product Type (Whole Insects, Insect Powder), Insect Type (Crickets, Mealworms, Black Soldier Flies, Buffalo Worms, Grasshoppers), Application (Food and Beverages, Feed and Pet Food), End User, & Geography - Global Forecast to 2035", the edible insects market is projected to reach $28.54 billion by 2035, up from an estimated $2.4 billion in 2025, growing at an exceptional CAGR of 28.1% during the forecast period. The significant growth of the edible insects market is driven by increasing demand for sustainable protein sources amid rising global population and escalating food security concerns. The market's expansion is fueled by environmental benefits of insect farming, growing investment in alternative protein research, expanding acceptance in Western markets, and integration with the plant-based food industry across key global markets. The industry is experiencing revolutionary transformation through advanced insect farming automation, sophisticated processing technologies for food integration, and development of premium organic insect products. Leading companies are embracing cricket-based protein innovations while expanding into emerging markets and developing familiar food forms that enhance consumer acceptance worldwide. For more comprehensive insights, download the FREE report sample: Revolutionary Market Transformation Through Sustainable Protein Innovation The edible insects market represents a paradigm shift in sustainable protein production and food security solutions. As global populations increasingly prioritize environmental sustainability and alternative protein sources, edible insects offer a revolutionary solution that addresses the growing demand for efficient, environmentally friendly protein alternatives with minimal resource consumption across diverse food applications. Market leaders are investing heavily in automated farming technologies and advanced processing systems, establishing production capabilities that can deliver scalable, cost-effective insect protein solutions. This technological advancement is making edible insect products increasingly accessible while delivering superior nutritional and environmental sustainability benefits. Dynamic Growth Across Key Market Segments Based on product type, the Whole Insects segment dominates the market in 2025, capturing a significant share due to traditional consumption patterns, growing acceptance in Western markets, and established cultural practices. However, the Insect Powder segment is experiencing the fastest growth, driven by increasing food integration applications, technological advancements in processing, and growing demand for familiar food forms in protein bars and baked products. Based on insect types, the Crickets segment leads the market, reflecting their high protein content, established farming practices, and widespread cultural acceptance. The Black Soldier Flies segment is anticipated to record the highest growth rate, driven by superior feed conversion efficiency, waste management applications, and increasing adoption in animal feed industries. Based on application, the Food and Beverages segment accounts for the largest market share, attributed to growing consumer acceptance of alternative proteins and increased product innovation in processed foods. However, the Feed and Pet Food segment is expected to experience the fastest growth, driven by growing demand for sustainable animal nutrition and aquaculture feed applications. Get Insightful Data on Regions, Market Segments, Customer Landscape, and Top Companies (Charts, Tables, Figures and More) - Strategic Market Opportunities and Innovation Drivers The market presents extraordinary growth opportunities through pet food and animal feed market expansion, integration with plant-based food industries, and development of processed familiar food forms. Companies are discovering new revenue streams through premium organic insect products and automated farming technologies while establishing comprehensive sustainable protein ecosystems. Key market drivers include: Sustainable Protein Demand: Growing consumer awareness of environmental impact driving adoption of resource-efficient protein alternatives with minimal ecological footprint Global Population and Food Security: Rising world population creating urgent need for scalable, efficient protein sources to address food security challenges Environmental Benefits: Insect farming offering superior resource efficiency with reduced land, water, and feed requirements compared to traditional livestock Alternative Protein Investment: Increasing venture capital and corporate investment in insect farming technologies and processing innovations Regional Market Leadership and Emerging Growth Asia-Pacific commands the largest market share in 2025, driven by traditional consumption patterns, cultural acceptance of entomophagy, established insect farming infrastructure, and significant investments in scaling production capabilities across key countries including Thailand, China, and Vietnam. North America emerges as the fastest-growing region during the forecast period, propelled by rapid adoption of alternative proteins, increasing consumer awareness, rising investment in insect farming technologies, and growing integration with mainstream food processing industry. Europe represents a significant market, supported by progressive regulatory frameworks, increasing focus on sustainable protein sources, advanced food processing infrastructure, and growing consumer acceptance of innovative protein alternatives. Request a customized research analysis tailored to your specific requirements: Dynamic Competitive Landscape Driving Innovation The global edible insects market features an innovative competitive ecosystem comprising established food processing companies, insect farming specialists, alternative protein solution providers, and innovative startups. This diverse landscape fosters rapid technological advancement through automated farming system integration and sophisticated food processing technology development. Industry leaders are implementing integrated solutions that combine cutting-edge farming technologies with comprehensive food processing capabilities and sustainable production methods. Companies are pursuing strategic partnerships with food manufacturers while addressing consumer acceptance and scalability challenges across different market segments. Immediate Delivery Available | Buy this Research Report (Insights, Charts, Tables, Figures and More) - Market Leaders Shaping Industry Future Key players driving the global edible insects market include Protix B.V. (Netherlands), Ÿnsect SAS (France), Innovafeed SAS (France), Aspire Food Group (Canada), Agronutris SAS (France), Enterra Feed Corporation (Canada), Beta Hatch Inc. (U.S.), HiProMine S.A. (Poland), Entomo Farms (Canada), Kreca Ento-Feed BV (Netherlands), Nutrition Technologies Pte. Ltd. (Singapore), Hexafly Ltd. (Ireland), Micronutris SAS (France), EnviroFlight LLC (U.S.), Next Millennium Farms Inc. (Canada), Jimini's SAS (France), Eat Grub Ltd. (U.K.), Thailand Unique Co., Ltd. (Thailand), and C-fu Foods Ltd. (Hong Kong). These companies are focusing on strategies such as automated farming technology development, advanced processing system integration, premium organic product development, strategic food industry partnerships, and expansion into emerging markets to strengthen their market position. Latest Industry Developments Recent market developments include: Cricket-Based Protein Innovation: Growing focus on cricket protein products and powder processing for food integration driving market leadership in sustainable protein alternatives Automation in Farming Technologies: Implementation of advanced automated insect farming systems and processing technologies enhancing production efficiency and scalability Premium Organic Products: Increasing development of high-quality organic insect products and familiar food forms addressing consumer preferences for premium sustainable options Market Challenges and Opportunities While the market shows exceptional growth potential, it faces challenges including cultural and psychological barriers to consumption, regulatory challenges and food safety concerns, high production and processing costs, and limited consumer awareness requiring extensive education initiatives. However, significant opportunities exist in expanding pet food and animal feed markets, integration with established plant-based food industries, development of processed familiar food forms, emerging markets in Asia-Pacific and Africa, and growing acceptance of sustainable protein alternatives in developed markets with advanced food processing infrastructure. The Animal Nutrition segment is projected to experience substantial growth during the forecast period, driven by expanding livestock industry demand, sustainable feed alternatives requirements, and advantages insects offer in animal feed applications including superior nutritional profiles and resource efficiency. Related Reports: Alternative Protein Market Forecast: A $54.78 Billion Opportunity by 2032 Crickets Market by Size, Share, Forecasts, & Trends Analysis Black Soldier Fly Market Size, Trends & Forecast 2025–2035 Plant-based Protein Market by Size, Share, Forecasts Plant-based Milk Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Growth 2031 About Meticulous Research We are a trusted research partner for leading businesses worldwide, empowering Fortune 500 organizations and emerging enterprises with market intelligence designed to drive revenue transformation and strategic growth. Our insights reveal future growth opportunities, equipping clients with a competitive edge through a versatile suite of research solutions—including syndicated reports, custom research, and direct analyst engagement. To find out more, visit or follow us on LinkedIn Contact: Mr. Khushal Bombe Meticulous Market Research Pvt. 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