Global meat production reached 366 million metric tons last year. The plant-based protein market grew 12% to 15 kilograms per capita. This article outlines the current scale and competing dynamics of protein supply.
Key Takeaways
- Plant-based burger sales volume 500 million units globally 2023.
- Per capita protein availability from animal sources 33 kg/year globally in 2023.
- Global beef trade volume 12 million metric tons in 2023.
- The global protein supplements market size was valued at USD 24.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 43.68 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 8.91%.
- World meat production reached 366 million metric tons in 2023, up 1.2% from previous year.
Protein industry statistics show rapid global growth as demand for sustainable, high quality protein keeps rising.
Related reading
01 · Category
Alternative Proteins29 stats
01
Plant-based burger sales volume 500 million units globally 2023.
02
Global pea protein in meat alternatives usage 350,000 metric tons 2023.
03
Mycoprotein market penetration 2% meat market share in UK 2023.
04
Insect flour production for baking 8,000 metric tons 2023.
05
Fermented precision protein in dairy alternatives 1,000 metric tons commercial 2023.
06
Algae protein powder sales 25,000 metric tons 2023.
07
Hemp seed protein isolate demand in snacks 15,000 tons 2023.
08
Rice protein in hypoallergenic formulas 40,000 tons 2023.
09
Faba bean protein extraction Europe 50,000 tons 2023.
10
Cultured meat pilot production 100 tons 2023 globally.
11
Lentil protein concentrate in pet food 30,000 tons 2023.
12
Pumpkin seed protein emerging 5,000 tons market 2023.
13
Seaweed protein extracts 2,000 tons for human consumption 2023.
14
Chickpea protein flour production 80,000 tons India 2023.
15
Sunflower protein isolate pilots 3,000 tons 2023.
16
Quinoa protein superfood sales 12,000 tons 2023.
17
Mung bean protein in Asia beverages 10,000 tons 2023.
18
Lupin protein Australia export 20,000 tons 2023.
19
Navy bean protein snacks US 7,000 tons 2023.
20
Sacha inchi protein South America 1,500 tons 2023.
21
Amaranth protein ancient grain 4,000 tons 2023.
22
Teff protein Ethiopia export 2,500 tons 2023.
23
Spirulina algae protein 45,000 tons global production consumed 2023.
24
Chlorella protein tablets 18,000 tons 2023.
25
Cricket flour pet food 12,000 tons 2023.
26
Mealworm protein bars 3,500 tons 2023.
27
Black soldier fly larvae protein 6,000 tons aquafeed 2023.
28
Casein alternatives from fungi 500 tons 2023.
29
Whey-free protein from yeast 800 tons 2023.
Interpretation
Alternative Proteins Interpretation
We've clearly moved beyond the lone veggie burger, now orchestrating a full-scale, multi-ingredient protein symphony where peas, fungi, algae, and even crickets are all vying for a solo in the global diet.
02 · Category
Consumption and Demand30 stats
01
Per capita protein availability from animal sources 33 kg/year globally in 2023.
02
U.S. average daily protein intake 90 grams per person in 2023.
03
Global plant-based protein consumption grew 12% YoY to 15 kg per capita in 2023.
04
China meat protein demand 60 kg per capita annually in 2023.
05
EU average protein consumption from dairy 20 kg per capita per year 2023.
06
U.S. whey protein consumption in supplements 2.5 kg per capita for athletes 2023.
07
India per capita protein consumption 60 grams daily average in 2023.
08
Brazil poultry consumption 50 kg per capita in 2023.
09
Global demand for pea protein in food 450,000 metric tons in 2023.
10
U.S. plant-based milk consumption displaced 1.5 billion liters dairy in 2023.
11
Europe vegan protein powder demand up 15% to 300,000 metric tons 2023.
12
Japan egg consumption 12 kg per capita annually 2023.
13
Global sports nutrition protein demand 4.5 million metric tons 2023.
14
U.S. senior population protein intake average 70g/day below RDA in 2023.
15
Middle East protein supplement consumption grew 18% to USD 500M in 2023.
16
Africa per capita animal protein consumption 10 kg/year low in 2023.
17
Australia meat consumption 90 kg per capita highest globally 2023.
18
Global soy protein isolate demand in meat analogs 200,000 tons 2023.
19
U.S. Gen Z protein snack consumption 25% higher than average 2023.
20
Canada dairy protein consumption 25 kg per capita 2023.
21
Southeast Asia insect protein trial consumption 5,000 tons 2023.
22
Global functional protein beverage demand 2 billion liters 2023.
23
Mexico bean protein consumption traditional 15 kg per capita 2023.
24
U.K. mycoprotein consumption Quorn 100 million servings 2023.
25
Russia poultry demand 28 kg per capita 2023.
26
Global algae omega-3 protein blend demand 20,000 tons 2023.
27
France cheese protein intake 26 kg per capita 2023.
28
Urban China protein supplement use 30% households 2023.
29
World fish protein consumption 20 kg per capita 2023.
30
U.S. women average protein intake 65g/day 2023 survey.
Interpretation
Consumption and Demand Interpretation
The world’s protein plate is a wildly unbalanced feast, where the average American casually consumes a steak’s worth daily while seniors fall short, China craves meat, India seeks balance, and the planet itself is quietly but urgently flirting with peas, powders, and plants to satiate its growing and divergent hungers.
03 · Category
Economic and Trade27 stats
01
Global beef trade volume 12 million metric tons in 2023.
02
U.S. protein supplement exports USD 1.2 billion in 2023.
03
Brazil soybean meal export 70 million metric tons 2023.
04
EU whey protein powder export value EUR 1.5 billion 2023.
05
China pork import 5 million metric tons 2023.
06
Canada canola meal trade USD 2 billion 2023.
07
Global pea protein import growth 25% to USD 1.1 billion 2023.
08
U.S. dairy protein export 3 million metric tons equivalent 2023.
09
Argentina soy protein concentrate export 4 million tons 2023.
10
Netherlands cheese trade leader USD 5.5 billion 2023.
11
India whey powder export 25,000 tons 2023.
12
Australia beef export 1.5 million tons 2023 value AUD 12 billion.
13
Vietnam shrimp protein export USD 4.2 billion 2023.
14
Russia wheat gluten protein trade 500,000 tons 2023.
15
Mexico avocado protein niche export USD 100M 2023.
16
Global plant-based protein trade USD 8 billion 2023.
17
U.S. insect protein pilot exports 1,000 tons 2023.
18
New Zealand milk protein concentrate export 1.2M tons 2023.
19
Thailand fishmeal export 1.5M tons 2023.
20
France pea protein export leader EU 100,000 tons 2023.
21
U.S. collagen protein import USD 800M 2023.
22
Paraguay beef export growth 10% 400,000 tons 2023.
23
Global mycoprotein trade emerging USD 200M 2023.
24
Ireland grass-fed protein beef export 500,000 tons 2023.
25
Ukraine sunflower meal export 5M tons despite war 2023.
26
Japan egg protein import for supplements 10,000 tons 2023.
27
Global algae protein trade USD 150M 2023.
Interpretation
Economic and Trade Interpretation
While the world's carnivores gnaw through a Texas-sized mountain of beef, its gym rats and vegans are quietly building a parallel economy from soybeans, peas, and whey, proving that the global protein plate is now a fiercely competitive and astonishingly diverse smorgasbord.
More related reading
04 · Category
Market Growth and Size30 stats
01
The global protein supplements market size was valued at USD 24.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 43.68 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 8.91%.
02
The plant-based protein market was valued at USD 13.47 billion in 2023 and expected to grow to USD 22.5 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 10.8%.
03
Global whey protein market revenue reached USD 10.6 billion in 2022, forecasted to hit USD 18.0 billion by 2030 with 6.8% CAGR.
04
The meat protein market is anticipated to grow from USD 350.2 billion in 2023 to USD 480.5 billion by 2032 at 3.6% CAGR.
05
U.S. protein ingredients market valued at USD 6.5 billion in 2022, projected to reach USD 9.8 billion by 2030 growing at 5.3% CAGR.
06
Europe plant protein market size was USD 4.2 billion in 2023, expected to expand to USD 7.9 billion by 2030 at 9.3% CAGR.
07
Global pea protein market stood at USD 1.8 billion in 2023, projected to grow to USD 4.1 billion by 2032 at 9.5% CAGR.
08
Soy protein market globally valued USD 14.2 billion in 2022, to reach USD 20.5 billion by 2030 with 4.7% CAGR.
09
Collagen protein market size was USD 9.3 billion in 2023, forecasted to USD 16.4 billion by 2032 at 6.5% CAGR.
10
Global egg protein market revenue USD 2.1 billion in 2023, expected USD 3.5 billion by 2030 at 7.5% CAGR.
11
Casein and caseinates market valued at USD 3.4 billion in 2022, to grow to USD 4.9 billion by 2030 at 4.7% CAGR.
12
Global rice protein market size USD 0.45 billion in 2023, projected USD 0.89 billion by 2031 at 9% CAGR.
13
Hemp protein market reached USD 0.52 billion in 2023, anticipated USD 1.2 billion by 2032 at 10.1% CAGR.
14
Global mycoprotein market valued USD 0.12 billion in 2023, to USD 0.35 billion by 2030 at 16.5% CAGR.
15
Insect protein market size USD 1.04 billion in 2023, expected USD 3.28 billion by 2032 at 13.6% CAGR.
16
Global algae protein market USD 0.38 billion in 2022, projected USD 0.92 billion by 2030 at 11.6% CAGR.
17
U.S. sports nutrition protein market USD 5.2 billion in 2023, to USD 8.4 billion by 2030 at 7.1% CAGR.
18
Asia-Pacific protein market valued USD 18.5 billion in 2023, forecasted USD 32.1 billion by 2030 at 8.2% CAGR.
19
Latin America plant-based protein market USD 1.9 billion in 2023, to USD 3.7 billion by 2030 at 9.8% CAGR.
20
Middle East & Africa protein supplements market USD 1.1 billion in 2023, expected USD 2.3 billion by 2032 at 8.7% CAGR.
21
Global protein bars market size USD 6.7 billion in 2023, projected USD 11.2 billion by 2030 at 7.6% CAGR.
22
Ready-to-drink protein shakes market USD 3.4 billion in 2022, to USD 5.9 billion by 2030 at 7.1% CAGR.
23
Global protein powders market valued USD 16.2 billion in 2023, expected USD 28.4 billion by 2032 at 6.4% CAGR.
24
Meat substitutes protein market USD 7.5 billion in 2023, to USD 17.8 billion by 2030 at 13.2% CAGR.
25
Dairy protein market size USD 12.8 billion in 2023, projected USD 19.5 billion by 2031 at 5.5% CAGR.
26
Global functional protein market USD 4.1 billion in 2022, to USD 6.8 billion by 2030 at 6.6% CAGR.
27
Personalized protein market emerging at USD 0.8 billion in 2023, expected USD 2.1 billion by 2030 at 15% CAGR.
28
Global protein hydrolysates market USD 2.9 billion in 2023, to USD 4.7 billion by 2032 at 5.6% CAGR.
29
Organic protein market size USD 3.2 billion in 2023, projected USD 6.4 billion by 2030 at 10.4% CAGR.
30
Global vegan protein powder market USD 1.6 billion in 2023, to USD 3.2 billion by 2030 at 10.5% CAGR.
Interpretation
Market Growth and Size Interpretation
The world is on a protein binge so epic that the gyms are packed, the fields are sprouting legumes like there's no tomorrow, and someone, somewhere, is already adding cricket powder to their smoothie while an algae farmer high-fives a mycoprotein scientist over their disruptive growth rates.
05 · Category
Production Statistics30 stats
01
World meat production reached 366 million metric tons in 2023, up 1.2% from previous year.
02
Global poultry meat production was 137 million metric tons in 2023.
03
Pork production worldwide totaled 115 million metric tons carcass weight equivalent in 2023.
04
Beef and veal production stood at 60 million metric tons in 2023 globally.
05
Global milk production reached 881 million metric tons in 2023.
06
Egg production worldwide was 88 million metric tons in 2023.
07
Soybean meal production, key for protein feed, was 367 million metric tons in 2023/24.
08
Fishmeal production globally approximated 5.5 million metric tons in 2023.
09
Global pea protein isolate production capacity exceeded 1.2 million metric tons annually by 2023.
10
Whey protein concentrate production in Europe reached 2.1 million metric tons in 2023.
11
U.S. corn for animal feed protein production was 15.5 billion bushels in 2023.
12
Global plant-based meat production volume hit 1.2 million metric tons in 2023.
13
Mycelium-based protein production scaled to 10,000 metric tons in 2023.
14
Insect protein production worldwide reached 15,000 metric tons in 2023.
15
Algal protein biomass production was 50,000 metric tons dry weight in 2023.
16
Brazil soybean production for protein meal was 155 million metric tons in 2023/24.
17
U.S. beef production totaled 12.7 billion pounds in 2023.
18
China pork production 55 million metric tons in 2023.
19
India milk production 230 million metric tons in 2023.
20
EU poultry production 14.5 million metric tons in 2023.
21
Global rapeseed meal production 38 million metric tons in 2023/24.
22
U.S. dry whey production 70,000 metric tons monthly average in 2023.
23
Canada canola protein production from 20 million metric tons seed in 2023.
24
Global fermented protein production innovative at 5,000 metric tons in 2023.
25
Sunflower seed meal production 18 million metric tons globally in 2023.
26
U.S. egg production 9.2 billion dozen in 2023.
27
New Zealand dairy protein export equivalent 2.8 million metric tons milk solids 2023.
28
Global cottonseed meal production 9 million metric tons in 2023.
29
Precision fermented protein pilots produced 2,000 metric tons in 2023.
30
World average daily global meat production per capita basis 0.5 kg in 2023.
Interpretation
Production Statistics Interpretation
While the traditional meat and dairy industries continue to churn out staggering volumes—with poultry leading the clucking charge at 137 million metric tons—the quiet but earnest uprising of plant-based, insect, and even fermented proteins, though still a mere sprinkle on the global plate, suggests we are just beginning to reimagine what feeds the planet.
Reference
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APA
Lukas Bauer. (2026, February 13). Protein Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/protein-industry-statistics
MLA
Lukas Bauer. "Protein Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/protein-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Lukas Bauer. 2026. "Protein Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/protein-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
100 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+1 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)