Dive Brief:
- Mordor research found the global market for plant protein ingredients was valued at $7.67 billion last year, projected to reach $10.12 billion by 2020. Mordor also found the global market for sodium reduction ingredients was valued at $625.7 million last year, projected to reach nearly $1.294.3 billion by 2021.
- Plant proteins are gaining popularity as substitutes to meat-based protein ingredients, driven by increases in population and an attractive amino acid profile. They are easily digestible, sustainable in production and relatively inexpensive.
- Mordor’s research found drivers of sodium reduction ingredient market include the discovery of new sources and the need to improve extraction techniques.
Dive Insight:
Sodium reduction ingredients are some of the fastest-growing ingredient segments in the food and beverage industry. The market’s expansion depends on the technical capabilities of food ingredient manufacturers to develop new requirement-based formulations, according to Mordor’s research. Companies such as Cargill, Novozymes, and ADM (Wild Flavors Inc.), are focused on health issues that can come from a high salt intake.
When it comes to plant-based proteins, meat analogues and sports nutrition lead market share as the result of health-conscious consumers. The fastest growing CAGR applies to bakery and sports nutrition products. Soy proteins lead the source type, followed by wheat protein. Pea and vegetable proteins are also expanding rapidly.
Factors driving growth in sodium reduction ingredients include an increased demand from food processors, who are responding to consumers’ demands for natural and less processed ingredients. In addition, 75 countries have national salt reduction strategies in place.