The Edible Insects Market Report is Segmented by Insect Type (Beetles, Caterpillars, Crickets and Grasshoppers (Orthoptera), and More), Product Type (Whole Insects and Ingredient Type), Distribution Channel (Online and Offline), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East, and Africa). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

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

Edible Insect Market is anticipated to be USD 15.3 billion by 2032. It is estimated to record a steady CAGR of 18.1%.

Introduction

Edible Insects Statistics: Edible insects are gaining favor as a sustainable and nourishing food choice, emerging as a notable trend.

Abundant in protein, vitamins, and minerals, they provide an environmentally friendly substitute for conventional livestock farming, requiring less land, water, and feed.

With a history of consumption spanning various cultures over centuries, insects are now entering mainstream diets, driven by growing concerns regarding health and environmental issues.

Despite being at an early stage, the edible insect market displays growth potential. With an array of products like protein bars and snacks hitting the market.

As consumers increasingly prioritize health and sustainability, edible insects stand to influence the future landscape of food production and consumption significantly.

This statistic depicts the forecast market value of edible insects worldwide from 2021 to 2032. In 2021, the estimated market value of edible insects amounted to 3.2 million U.S. dollars, and is forecast to increase to about 17.6 billion U.S. dollars by 2032.

The global edible insects market size was USD 1.71 billion in 2024 & is projected to grow from USD 1.95 billion in 2025 to USD 5.91 billion by 2033.
Report Scope:

This statistic depicts the projected market value of edible insects worldwide in 2018 and 2023, by region. According to the report, the market value of edible insects in Europe is forecast to reach ***** million U.S. dollars by 2023.

The global edible insects market size was valued at USD 1.9 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group estimates the market to reach USD 7.2 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 15.51% from 2025-2033. North America currently dominates the market, holding a market share of over 28.8% in 2024. The emergence of insect-based protein powders and supplements, increasing investments into insects farming startups and ventures, rise in the acceptance of insects as ingredients for processed foods, and a growing adoption of products as pet food ingredients are some factors driving the market.

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the global edible insects market, along with forecast at the global, regional, and country levels from 2025-2033. The market has been categorized based on type, product, and application.

Global Edible Insects Market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 28.87% during the forecast period 2025-30, A surge in the demand for black soldier fly (BSF)-based products is one of the growth opportunities driving the Edible Insects Market.

Edible Insects Market size was valued at USD 0.874 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 3.0481 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 16.90% from 2024 to 2031.

Key Market Drivers:

Sustainability and Environmental Benefits: One of the primary drivers of the edible insects market is the substantial environmental benefits of insect farming. Insects require fewer resources such as land, water and feed than traditional livestock. Furthermore, they emit fewer greenhouse gases making them a more sustainable option. As concerns about climate change and resource scarcity mount, edible insect’s environmental benefits become more appealing to both consumers and farmers. Nutritional Value and Health Benefits: Edible insects are high in key elements including protein, vitamins and minerals making them an important part of the human diet. They provide a complete protein source including all essential amino acids as well as iron, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids. This nutritional profile appeals to health-conscious customers and those looking for alternative protein sources which will drive market expansion as more people become aware of the benefits. Economic Viability and Market Opportunities: Insect farming is more cost-effective than traditional cattle production, providing considerable economic advantages. Insects have excellent feed conversion efficiencies may be raised from organic waste and have rapid growth and reproduction rates resulting in cheaper production costs. Furthermore, the diversity of product options such as insect protein powders, bars and snacks as well as novel culinary uses is opening up new market prospects. Increased investment in R&D as well as supportive legislative frameworks are paving the road for market growth and consumer acceptability.

This statistic depicts the estimated market value of edible insects in United States in 2021 and 2022. According to the report, the market value of edible insects in the U.S. amounted to ****** million U.S. dollars in 2021.

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Edible Insects Market Size 2024-2028

The edible insects market size is valued to increase by USD 11.42 billion, at a CAGR of 46.02% from 2023 to 2028. Growing food shortage across the globe will drive the edible insects market.

Market Insights

APAC dominated the market and accounted for a 43% growth during the 2024-2028.
By Application - Human consumption segment was valued at USD 372.00 billion in 2022
By Product Type - Whole insects segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2022

Market Size & Forecast

Market Opportunities: USD 1.00 million 
Market Future Opportunities 2023: USD 11422.90 million
CAGR from 2023 to 2028 : 46.02%

Market Summary

The market has emerged as a promising niche in the global food industry, driven by the growing food shortage and the increasing awareness of sustainable food sources. Edible insects, rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, offer a viable solution to address the nutritional needs of a growing population, particularly in regions where traditional food sources are scarce. Despite their nutritional benefits, the acceptance of edible insects as a food source remains low in many parts of the world. However, the use of insects in processed foods, such as energy bars, snacks, and pet food, is gaining traction. This trend is driven by the demand for sustainable and high-protein food options, as well as the increasing popularity of exotic and novel food products. One real-world business scenario that highlights the potential of the market is the optimization of supply chains. For instance, a food processing company could partner with a local insect farm to ensure a steady supply of high-quality insects for their products. This collaboration would not only reduce transportation costs and carbon emissions but also ensure compliance with food safety regulations and operational efficiency. However, challenges such as consumer acceptance, regulatory frameworks, and production scale-up remain significant barriers to the growth of the market. Despite these challenges, the market is expected to continue gaining momentum as more companies explore the potential of edible insects as a sustainable and nutritious food source.

What will be the size of the Edible Insects Market during the forecast period?

Get Key Insights on Market Forecast (PDF) Request Free SampleThe market represents a burgeoning industry, with businesses increasingly exploring insects as a sustainable and nutrient-dense alternative to traditional animal-derived proteins. Insects, such as crickets, mealworms, and grasshoppers, are gaining traction as valuable sources of protein for human consumption and as feed ingredients. This shift is driven by several factors, including farm waste reduction, allergen mitigation strategies, and the economic viability of insect farming. For instance, insect breeding programs have shown a significant reduction in production yield optimization, with some operations achieving up to 20 metric tons of insect biomass per hectare annually. Moreover, the implementation of quality control measures and automation in insect production has led to improved processing waste minimization and energy consumption reduction. Insect farming scalability and vertical farming optimization have been crucial factors in the industry's growth. Sustainable insect feed and nutritional bioavailability have also been key areas of focus, with research emphasizing the importance of sustainable agriculture practices and insect by-product valorization. As regulatory bodies continue to assess the novel food status of edible insects, companies are investing in traceability systems and insect product labeling to ensure consumer perception studies reflect positively on the industry. Insect protein digestibility and environmental impact assessments are also under scrutiny, with ongoing research aimed at improving sustainability and reducing the industry's carbon footprint. Insect farming intensification and processing technology advancements are expected to further propel market growth, with potential applications in various sectors, including food, feed, and pharmaceuticals. As businesses navigate this evolving landscape, they must consider the economic viability models, biosecurity protocols, and insect gut microbiome to ensure long-term success.

Unpacking the Edible Insects Market Landscape

Edible insects have emerged as a promising alternative protein source for the food industry, offering several business advantages. Compared to traditional animal protein sources, insect farming requires significantly less land and water, with a feed conversion ratio of 1:1 versus 10:1 for livestock (FAO, 2013). Furthermore, insects boast impressive amino acid profiles, aligning with human nutritional requirements and surpassing those of soy and rice (FAO, 2013).

Innovations in insect farming tec

This statistic depicts the estimated market value of edible insects in United States from 2015 to 2023, by food category . According to the report, the market value of the edible insect snack category amounted to *** million U.S. dollars, and is forecast to reach ** million dollars in the U.S. by 2023.

Europe Edible Insects Market by Product (Insect Powder, Insect Meal, Insect Oil), Insect Type (Crickets, Black Soldier Fly, Mealworms, Ants, Grasshoppers), Application (Animal Feed, Pet Food, Protein Bar & Shakes, Bakery, Confectionery) - Forecast to 2032

The Edible Insects for Animal Feed Market Report is Segmented by Insect Species (Black Soldier Fly, Mealworms, Crickets, and More), by Form (Whole Dried, Powdered Meal, and More), by Application (Aquafeed, Poultry Feed, Swine Feed, and More), and by Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Africa, and Middle East). The Report Offers the Market Size and Forecasts in Terms of Value (USD).

The Edible Insects Market size was valued at USD 0.65 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 2.29 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 19.7 % during the forecasts period. The edible insect market entails the cultivation and consumption within the food chain of insects as a novel food source that is safe for human consumption. Crickets, for instance, mealworms, and grasshoppers offer a health-enriched source of protein, vitamins, and minerals or as Rock Beatles refer to it – ‘Bio beef’. Applications are general food items including whole insects, snacks, proteins, protein supplements, and prescription foods such as pasta and protein bars. This is due to the increasing concern for ecology today and the fact that farming insects are much more effective from the standpoint of saving resources – land, water, and feed, compared with conventional farming of livestock. Regarding trends, they are continually shifting and broadening their acceptance in the Western world, mixing it in pet foods, and new processing methods as well as types of products that make it tastier. Being a product of advancing technology, the market is set for growth especially due to the increasing consumer concern on aspect of environmental conservation.

This statistic depicts the market value growth of edible insects worldwide between 2022 and 2032, by selected region. According to the report, the forecast market value of edible insects in East Asia will grow by over ** percent compounded annually between 2022 and 2032.

South East Asia Edible Insect Market by Product (Whole Insect, Insect Powder, Insect Meal), Insect Type (Crickets, Black Soldier Fly, Mealworms, Ants), Application (Animal Feed, Protein Bar & Shakes, Bakery, Confectionery), and Country - Forecast to 2032

[221+ Pages Report] The global Edible Insects market size was valued at USD 0.51 billion in 2021 and is estimated to reach USD 1.8 billion by 2028, at a CAGR value of 18.2% from 2022 to 2028.

This statistic depicts the estimated market value of edible insects in United States in 2017, by application. According to the report, market value of edible beetles in the U.S. amounted to *** billion U.S. dollars in 2017.