Surveys show 65 percent of US consumers willing to try insect-based foods. Regulatory approvals now cover multiple species in Europe and Asia. Production volumes and environmental metrics reveal where capacity is expanding fastest.
Key Takeaways
- 65% of US consumers willing to try insect-based foods in 2023 surveys, up from 40% in 2018
- BSF larvae require 1,800 liters water/kg protein vs 15,000 for beef, 99% less
- The global edible insects market size was valued at USD 1.2 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.5% from 2023 to 2030, driven primarily by demand in animal feed and food sectors
- Crickets provide 69g protein per 100g dry weight, surpassing beef's 26g/100g fresh
- Global black soldier fly production capacity reached 50,000 tons/year in 2023 across 200 farms
Insect industry statistics show rapid growth driven by rising demand for sustainable protein and feed.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumer and Regulatory Trends21 stats
01
65% of US consumers willing to try insect-based foods in 2023 surveys, up from 40% in 2018
02
EU Novel Food Regulation approved 9 insect species by 2023, enabling 200+ products launch
03
Thailand 60% population consumes insects regularly, 2kg/person/year average
04
US pet owners 45% accept insect protein in kibble per 2023 Nielsen data
05
France leads Europe with 25% awareness and 12% trial rate for insect bars in 2023
06
Singapore approved 7 insect species for import/sale in 2022, boosting Asia market 30%
07
72% millennials open to insects for sustainability, vs 35% boomers per global Kantar study
08
Canada granted GRAS status to crickets/BSF in 2023, spurring 50 startups
09
Mexico 40% rural consumption of chapulines, urban trial rate rising to 15% in 2023
10
UK FSA approved dried insects as general food in 2023, sales up 50% YoY
11
China permits 5 insect species farmed domestically since 2023 policy
12
55% Belgian consumers tried insects post Expo 2016, repeat purchase 20%
13
Australia FSANZ approved BSF meal 2022, pet food adoption 30% growth
14
Japan 25% willing to eat cultured insects per 2023 survey, focus on clean label
15
Brazil ANVISA novel food list includes crickets 2023, Amazon trials 10%
16
Global e-commerce insect sales 40% of market in 2023, platforms like Amazon up 60%
17
South Africa 35% youth acceptance, regulatory framework 2024 draft
18
Germany BfR safety assessment 2023 greenlit 4 species, retail trials in Rewe
19
Kenya FAO-backed education raised trial rate 25% in schools 2023
20
Netherlands 80% farms EU certified, consumer trust 70% per 2023 poll
21
US FDA no objections letters to 10 insect firms 2023, accelerating human food
Interpretation
Consumer and Regulatory Trends Interpretation
It seems the global menu is getting a bit buggy, with consumers slowly shedding their squeamishness as regulations crack open the door for a sustainable crunch that’s hopping from pet bowls to dinner plates.
02 · Category
Environmental Impact25 stats
01
BSF larvae require 1,800 liters water/kg protein vs 15,000 for beef, 99% less
02
Insect farming land use 0.1 m²/kg protein, vs 200 m² for beef, reducing deforestation 2,000x
03
Crickets emit 1kg CO2/kg protein, 100x less than pork's 100kg
04
BSF recycles 70% food waste, diverting 1 ton waste/ton larvae, cutting methane 90%
05
Mealworm polystyrene degradation sequesters 10,000 tons plastic/year potential
06
Global insect feed replaces 5% soy by 2030, saving 10 million ha Amazon land
07
Cricket water footprint 2,000 liters/kg dry vs 43,000 for chicken, 95% reduction
08
BSF GHG emissions 0.1-1 kg CO2e/kg vs 60 for beef, 99% lower warming potential
09
Insect farms use 90% less energy than fishmeal production per kg protein
10
Locust farming on marginal land yields 300 kg protein/ha/year vs 100 for crops
11
Mealworm eutrophication potential 0.5g PO4e/kg vs 100g for pork, 200x less pollution
12
BSF waste conversion prevents 500,000 tons landfill methane annually at scale
13
Cricket vertical farms reduce urban food miles 90%, cutting transport emissions 0.01 kg CO2/kg
14
Insects biodiversity impact low, no monoculture needed unlike soy's habitat loss
15
Silkworm sericulture recycles mulberry waste, zero-waste loop with 95% resource efficiency
16
Global insect protein scales to replace 30% fishmeal by 2035, saving 2 billion tons ocean fish
17
BSF ammonia emissions 80% lower than pig manure per kg N
18
Mealworm feed from brewery waste diverts 50,000 tons/year EU breweries
19
Cricket farming acidifies soil 50x less than cattle (0.1 kg SO2e/kg)
20
Insect frass fertilizer cuts synthetic N use 40%, reducing nitrate runoff 70%
21
BSF production cumulative energy demand 15 MJ/kg vs 80 MJ/kg chicken, 81% less
22
Locusts on invasive grass control pests naturally, enhancing biodiversity +20%
23
Vertical insect systems recycle 95% water in closed loops, net zero usage
24
Global shift to insects avoids 1.5 Gt CO2e/year by 2050 per IPCC models
25
Mealworm microplastic biodegradation rate 85% in 30 days, cleaning environment
Interpretation
Environmental Impact Interpretation
Looking at these numbers, the future of sustainable protein is quietly crawling, fluttering, and wriggling forward, promising a full-course meal of environmental solutions on a single, crumb-sized plate.
03 · Category
Market Size and Growth30 stats
01
The global edible insects market size was valued at USD 1.2 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.5% from 2023 to 2030, driven primarily by demand in animal feed and food sectors
02
In Europe, the insects for food and feed market reached €48 million in 2021, with projections to hit €363 million by 2030 at a CAGR of 25%, fueled by EU novel food approvals
03
Asia-Pacific edible insect market is anticipated to grow from USD 629.4 million in 2023 to USD 2.5 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 16.7%, led by Thailand and China's consumption culture
04
The black soldier fly larvae market alone was valued at USD 375 million in 2022, projected to reach USD 1.8 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 21.4%, due to aquaculture feed applications
05
North American insect protein market size stood at USD 240 million in 2023, expected to expand to USD 1.1 billion by 2031 at CAGR 21%, supported by pet food innovations
06
Global cricket flour market valued at USD 68 million in 2021, forecasted to grow to USD 450 million by 2028 with CAGR 30.1%, driven by bakery and snack integrations
07
The mealworm market is projected to grow from USD 25 million in 2022 to USD 150 million by 2030 at 25% CAGR, primarily for poultry feed substitution
08
Insect farming equipment market reached USD 120 million in 2023, expected to hit USD 550 million by 2032 with 18.5% CAGR, due to automation in vertical farms
09
EU-approved insect species for food market valued at €20 million in 2022, projected to €200 million by 2028 at 38% CAGR post-regulatory easing
10
Pet food insect ingredient segment grew to USD 150 million in 2023, with 28% CAGR to 2030, replacing fishmeal in premium kibble
11
Global silkworm pupae market for food/feed hit USD 45 million in 2022, projected CAGR 15% to USD 120 million by 2030 in Asia
12
Acheta domesticus (house cricket) production market valued at USD 80 million globally in 2023, expected 26% CAGR to USD 400 million by 2030
13
Insect-based fertilizer market size was USD 90 million in 2022, forecasted to USD 450 million by 2031 at 19.8% CAGR for organic farming
14
Latin America edible insects market projected from USD 50 million in 2023 to USD 280 million by 2032, CAGR 21%, led by Brazil's agribusiness
15
Yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) food market reached USD 35 million in 2022, 27% CAGR to USD 220 million by 2030 in consumer snacks
16
Global locust protein market valued at USD 12 million in 2023, expected 32% CAGR to USD 95 million by 2030 amid food security pushes
17
Insect oil market for aquafeed hit USD 60 million in 2022, projected 24% CAGR to USD 320 million by 2029
18
France's domestic insect market leader with €15 million sales in 2022, 35% growth YoY from protein bar sales
19
Thailand edible insect export market USD 100 million in 2023, CAGR 20% to USD 400 million by 2030
20
US insect food startups raised USD 50 million VC in 2023, up 40% from 2022, signaling market maturation
21
Global BSF frass (fertilizer byproduct) market USD 20 million in 2023, 28% CAGR to USD 140 million by 2030
22
Belgium insect sector turnover €50 million in 2022, projected €300 million by 2028 with 34% CAGR
23
China cricket farming market USD 200 million in 2023, 18% CAGR driven by domestic consumption
24
Insect snack bar market global value USD 45 million in 2022, 29% CAGR to USD 280 million by 2030
25
Netherlands exported 5,000 tons of insect protein in 2023 worth USD 30 million, up 50% YoY
26
Global edible insect R&D investment USD 25 million in 2023, doubling from 2021
27
South Korea's dubia roach market USD 15 million in 2022, projected 25% CAGR for pet/reptile feed
28
Australia insect protein market USD 10 million in 2023, 22% CAGR to USD 55 million by 2030
29
Worldwide patent filings for insect processing tech rose 45% in 2023 to 1,200 applications
30
UK edible insect sales hit £8 million in 2023, 30% growth from supermarkets like Tesco
Interpretation
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
While these projections may seem to be counting our insect eggs before they've hatched, the global market's relentless, multi-legged march toward a valuation in the tens of billions clearly indicates that what was once a fringe food fad is now being very seriously farmed, funded, and forked into mainstream plates and pet bowls.
More related reading
04 · Category
Nutritional Benefits25 stats
01
Crickets provide 69g protein per 100g dry weight, surpassing beef's 26g/100g fresh
02
Black soldier fly larvae contain 40-50% protein and 35% fat on dry basis, rich in lauric acid for antimicrobial properties
03
House crickets offer 61g protein/100g dry, with 5.4g essential amino acids matching WHO standards
04
Mealworms boast 53g protein/100g dry matter, plus 25% unsaturated fats including omega-3 ALA at 0.5g/100g
05
Silkworm pupae deliver 70g protein/100g, high in arginine (8.2%) for cardiovascular health
06
Locusts provide 64g protein/100g dry, with iron at 8mg/100g, 50% RDA per serving
07
Dubia roaches contain 65% protein dry weight, calcium 1,200mg/100g for reptile nutrition
08
Yellow mealworms have B12 at 5.4µg/100g dry, exceeding eggs, vital for vegans
09
Crickets supply 7.5mg iron/100g dry, bioavailability 80% due to low phytates
10
BSF larvae omega-6:3 ratio 2:1, better than salmon's 10:1, at 10g fat/100g
11
Grasshoppers offer 20g fiber/100g dry from chitin, prebiotic for gut health
12
Acheta domesticus vitamin E 3.5mg/100g dry, antioxidant potency rivaling almonds
13
Palm weevil larvae 55% protein, vitamin A 150µg/100g for eye health
14
Superworms (Zophobas morio) 47% protein, 42% fat with 500mg calcium/100g
15
Mormon crickets 60% protein dry, zinc 20mg/100g boosting immunity 3x RDA
16
Housefly maggots 44% protein, 400 IU vitamin D/100g from UV exposure
17
Bamboo worms (Omphisa fuscidentalis) 56g protein/100g, leucine 4.2g/100g for muscle synthesis
18
Wax moth larvae 50% protein, lauric acid 30% of fats for antiviral effects
19
Field crickets niacin 7mg/100g dry, 44% RDA for energy metabolism
20
BSF pupae 52% protein, phosphorus 1,000mg/100g for bone health
21
Termites 35% protein fresh, folate 120µg/100g for anemia prevention
22
Giant water bug 50g protein/100g, potassium 900mg/100g for blood pressure
23
Silkworm powder selenium 0.5µg/g, antioxidant synergy with vitamin E
24
Cricket flour threonine 2.5g/100g protein, essential for collagen formation
25
Mealworm omega-3 250mg/100g dry, ALA form comparable to flaxseeds
Interpretation
Nutritional Benefits Interpretation
Nature has cleverly packed more protein, better fats, and a pharmacy's worth of nutrients into these tiny livestock, making them the ultimate multivitamin you can farm on your food scraps.
05 · Category
Production Statistics29 stats
01
Global black soldier fly production capacity reached 50,000 tons/year in 2023 across 200 farms
02
A single black soldier fly farm in South Africa produces 1,200 tons of larvae annually on 2 hectares, yielding 600 kg/m²
03
Cricket farms achieve 12-15 harvest cycles per year, with biomass yield of 200-300 kg/m² annually under controlled conditions
04
Mealworm production efficiency: 1 kg feed inputs yield 0.45 kg dry mealworms, compared to 1.7 kg for chicken
05
Dutch Protix BSF facility produces 50,000 tons wet larvae/year from organic waste, employing 200 staff
06
Vertical insect farms stack 10-20 trays/m², boosting cricket density to 5,000 insects/m² floor space
07
Thailand has over 20,000 small-scale cricket farms producing 7,500 tons/year, 80% for export
08
BSF larvae conversion rate: 18-25% from fresh waste to biomass, optimal at 27°C and 70% humidity
09
US Aspire Food Group plans 9,000 ton/year cricket facility in Canada by 2025, on 150,000 sq ft
10
Mealworm dry matter yield: 50-60% from fresh larvae, harvested every 10-12 weeks at 1.5 g/larva
11
Global insect farm count exceeded 1,500 in 2023, with 40% in Europe focusing on BSF and crickets
12
Locust farming pilot in Kenya yields 100 kg biomass/week from 50 m², using desert locusts
13
Silkworm production: China leads with 500,000 tons cocoons/year, 60% pupae repurposed for feed
14
Automated BSF breeding systems achieve 95% survival rate, producing 10 million eggs/tray weekly
15
Cricket protein extraction yield: 60-70% crude protein from dried powder via mechanical pressing
16
France's InnovaFeed BSF plant in Nesle produces 100,000 tons/year from wheat byproducts by 2024
17
Dubia roach colonies double biomass every 4 months at 1,200 roaches/bin density
18
Waste-to-protein ratio in BSF: 1 ton agri-waste yields 200 kg larvae protein equivalent
19
Canadian EnviroFlight BSF farm outputs 12 million lbs/year from 100,000 sq ft facility
20
Mealworm frass output: 20-30% of total biomass, rich in chitin for soil amendment
21
Cricket farm labor: 1 FTE manages 500 m² production yielding 50 tons/year
22
BSF larval growth cycle: 14 days from egg to prepupa, optimal feed conversion ratio 1.4-1.7
23
Global insect biomass production hit 200,000 tons in 2023, 70% for animal feed
24
Vertical mealworm systems yield 400 kg/m²/year using LED lighting and climate control
25
South African AgriProtein recycled 100,000 tons waste into 20,000 tons BSF in 2023
26
Housefly larvae farms in Vietnam produce 2,000 tons/year from brewery waste
27
Cricket chitin yield: 10-15% of dry weight, extracted via alkali treatment for biomedical use
28
BSF farms use 99% less water than beef per kg protein, producing 1 ton protein from 1,000 liters
29
Mealworms fed on polystyrene waste achieve 80% bioconversion efficiency
Interpretation
Production Statistics Interpretation
The insect industry is rapidly scaling from basement experiments to global factories, proving that the future of protein might just be a six-legged, high-density, waste-gobbling revolution in progress.
Reference
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APA
Rachel Svensson. (2026, February 13). Insect Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/insect-industry-statistics
MLA
Rachel Svensson. "Insect Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/insect-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Rachel Svensson. 2026. "Insect Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/insect-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
100 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level