Whey Market Research Report Information By Type (Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC), Whey Protein Isolate (WPI), Hydrolyzed Whey Protein (HWP), and Others), By Application (Functional Foods, Functional Beverages, Dietary Supplements, and Others), And By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, And Rest Of The World) – Market Forecast Till 2032

Whey Market Summary

As per MRFR Analysis, the global whey market was valued at USD 9.9 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 17.82 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 8.76% from 2024 to 2032. The market is driven by the rising popularity of whey protein for mass gain, weight loss, and strength enhancement, alongside increasing health consciousness and demand for sports nutritional supplements. The whey protein concentrate (WPC) segment leads in revenue, while functional foods dominate application shares. North America holds the largest market share, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific, with significant growth expected in developing regions.

Key Market Trends & Highlights

Key trends driving the whey market include health consciousness and protein-rich diets.

• Whey market size in 2023: USD 9.9 billion.
• Projected market size by 2032: USD 17.82 billion.
• CAGR from 2024 to 2032: 8.76%.
• North America accounted for USD 4.53 billion in 2022.

Market Size & Forecast

2023 Market Size: USD 9.9 Billion

2032 Market Size: USD 17.82 Billion

CAGR (2024-2032): 8.76%

Largest Regional Market Share in 2022: North America.

Major Players

Key companies include Arla Foods (Denmark), Glanbia Plc (Ireland), Agropur MSI LLC (U.S.), and Lactalis Ingredients (France).

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Whey Market Trends

• Growing awareness regarding healthcare and protein intake to boost the market growth

With the growing health consciousness among consumers globally during the past few years, the consumption of protein-rich diets has significantly increased. Around 202 million tonnes of protein are needed worldwide to feed 7.3 billion people. Due to their increasingly hectic schedules, consumers need to consume a full diet that is high in nutrients regularly, therefore, they turn to packaged food products for those nutrients. As a result, producers of packaged foods reinforce their goods with wholesome nutrients, such as protein compounds. The acceptance of protein-rich diets is largely driven by the rise in chronic illness cases brought on by changing lifestyles and rising fitness trends, particularly among millennials. As a result, various nations are focusing more on eating a diet heavy in protein, which is predicted to increase demand for components like soy, pea, and canola. Therefore, the growing awareness regarding protein-based diets has enhanced the whey market CAGR in recent years.

The main customers of Whey supplements are bodybuilders and gymgoers. Furthermore, bodybuilders use these items as part of a predetermined strategy to meet various fitness objectives, including increasing lean mass and bettering body composition. The market also gains from the increase in users of leisure and lifestyle products. Lifestyle changes and rising disposable incomes in the area drive the expansion of the market's consumer base. For instance, the business claims that in July 2022, CTRL, one of the fastest-growing meal replacement brands in the United States, introduced new meal-on-the-go bars filled with healthy components, such as quality whey protein, to satiate consumer desire. Thus, the increased demand from the bodybuilding sector is another factor driving the growth of the whey industry revenue.

Whey Market Segment Insights

Whey Type Insights

The whey market segmentation, based on type, includes whey protein concentrate (WPC), whey protein isolate (WPI), hydrolyzed whey protein (HWP), and others. In 2022, whey protein concentrate (WPC) dominated the market with respect to the whey industry revenue. WPC is a low-cost caramel blending substitute with greater flavor and processability. WPCs are used in several processes, including producing yogurt, drinks, and dairy desserts.

The second fastest-growing segment in the whey industry is the whey isolate category. Segment expansion is anticipated to be fueled by consumer preferences for including proteins in everyday foods and increased demand for high-protein, low-fat weight-management products. Hence, the rising use of whey isolates positively impacts market growth.

April 2022: Isopure, one of the leading Whey Protein Isolate brands in the luxury lifestyle performance nutrition industry in the United States, will now be manufactured in India in conjunction with Tirupati Lifesciences. This will be the only international production plant of the worldwide brand, outside the US, given the growing demand in India for Isopure. This expansion has further broadened the growth opportunity for the whey industry.

Whey Application Insights

The whey market data has been bifurcated by application into functional foods, functional beverages, dietary supplements, and others. The functional food sector acquired major market shares in the whey industry. The sector is anticipated to increase during the forecast period due to the rising demand for dietary and fortifying food additives. 

Figure 1: Whey Market, by Application, 2022 & 2030 (USD Billion)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

The second fastest-growing segment in the whey industry is the functional beverage sector. Athletes and bodybuilders are increasingly consuming the protein beverages

Whey Regional Insights

By Region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World. The North America Whey market accounted for USD 4.53 billion in 2022 and is expected to exhibit a significant CAGR growth during the study period. The region's expansion is allowed by the availability of media that advocates for active lifestyles and high disposable income levels. In addition, functional foods and supplements have become more popular, providing various health benefits and essential nourishment, particularly in the form of newborn formula. According to the report, a record-breaking 80% of American adults aged 18 and above used dietary supplements in 2021.

Further, the major countries studied in the market report are Canada, U.S, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure 2: WHEY MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022 (%)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Europe’s market of whey accounts for the second-largest market share. Several factors, including the increased emphasis on healthy living, the trend towards preventive healthcare, and the rising demand for protein supplements from the U.K., Germany, and France, will likely contribute to the Europe market's respectable expansion throughout the forecast period. An increasing number of fitness enthusiasts and a significant consumer influx in gyms and fitness clubs are the main drivers of the whey protein demand in the nation. For instance, almost 15% of the population of the UK has a gym membership as of 2021 or 10.3 million people.  Further, the German whey market held the largest market share, and the UK whey industry was the fastest-growing market in the European region.

The Asia-Pacific Whey Market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2022 to 2030. In developing nations like Australia and India, where the senior population is growing, and the environment is constantly changing, skin disorders are becoming more of a worry. As a result, demand for personal care products is predicted to rise throughout the projection period. With rising obesity rates and more people becoming health-conscious customers, India has seen a growth in the popularity of protein- and health-fortified beverages. Women who were overweight increased from 20.6% to 24%, and men who were overweight increased from 18.9% to 22.9%. Moreover, China’s market of whey held the largest market share, and the Indian whey industry was the fastest-growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.

Whey Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Major market players are investing huge amounts of money in R&D to expand their product offerings, which will spur further growth in the whey market. With significant market developments like introducing new products, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations, market participants are also undertaking various strategic initiatives to expand their footprint. To grow and remain in a market that is becoming increasingly competitive, whey industry competitors must provide affordable products.

Manufacturing locally to cut operational costs is one of the main business methods manufacturers use in the whey industry to benefit customers and develop the market sector. The whey industry has recently given medicine some of the most important advantages. The whey market major player such as Agropur MSI LLC (U.S.), Glanbia Plc (Ireland), American Dairy Products Institute (U.S.), and Arla Foods (Denmark) are attempting to increase market demand by funding R&D initiatives.

Arla Foods amba is a Danish-Swedish multinational cooperative headquartered in Viby, Denmark. It is the largest dairy producer in Scandinavia and the largest dairy in the United Kingdom. Arla Foods is the world's fourth-largest dairy firm in milk volume and seventh in revenue. Arla combines traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology to ensure that its goods are as true to nature as possible, from farm to fridge.  In October 2021, Arla Foods unveiled the latest product innovation center of 9000 m2 with state-of-the-art facilities for its subsidiary Arla Foods Ingredients for research and production of products, including Whey concentrates, lactose products, and newborn nutrition in Denmark. The Centre also intends to foster collaboration among renowned academic researchers, Ph.D. students, and industry personnel.

Also, Lactalis Ingredients manufactures dairy products. Milk powders, whey products, industrial butter, casein, milk fats, customized dairy blends, and nutritional additives are all available from the company. Lactalis Ingredients services food and beverage sectors globally. Lactalis Ingredients, as part of the Lactalis Group, the world's top dairy company and number one cheese manufacturer, leverages over 85 years of dairy history to deliver excellence and technological competence. In November 2021, Lactalis Ingredients released new high-protein product concepts employing Pronativ® Native Micellar Casein and Pronativ® Native Whey Protein. Pronativ-Native Micellar Casein is a milk protein isolate that is 90% micellar casein, compared to 80% in whole milk. High-protein smoothies and high-protein puddings are two of the derived concepts.

Key Companies in the whey market include

• Arla Foods (Denmark)
• Westland Co-operative Dairy Company (New Zealand)
• Milk Specialties (U.S.)
• Agropur MSI LLC (U.S.)
• DMK Group (Germany)
• American Dairy Products Institute (U.S.)
• Glanbia Plc (Ireland)
• Davisco Foods Internation Inc (U.S.)

Whey Industry Developments

February 2024- The pioneering joint venture between Fonterra and DSM focused on disrupting the emerging 'animal-free dairy' field, Vivici, has disclosed its capability to supply substantial quantities of whey protein from fermentation to the US market, just over a year after its commencement. The Netherlands-based startup, with self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) prestige in the USA, attaches its immediate progress to using the prime knowledge of its founders in dairy proteins and large-scale biomanufacturing. CEO Stephan van Sint Fiet disclosed that Vivici uses proprietary biotechnology employing yeast strains enhanced for industrial use over decades. Having effectively concluded scale-up activities from the lab to commercial fabrication, including a recent tech transfer to a 120m³ fermenter, Vivici is partnering with partners in the US and Europe for further commercial manufacturing. Further, Van Sint Fiet stated that they are already commercially feasible, very competitive titers, and have concentrated continuing efforts for productivity improvement and the exploration of next-gen technologies for continuous fermentation.

February 2024- Swiss multinational Nestlé SA has entered its first precision fermentation dairy protein powder, a lactose-free and animal-free whey separate product labeled Better Whey under the Orgain brand, which it acquireda bulk stake in back in early 2022 to empower its foothold in the functional nutrition space. The article has been revised to incorporate extra details from Nestlé about product availability, the company's rank in reducing emissions, and the goal of the Better Whey product launch. The limited edition product was disclosed in a social media post by the corporation's Research & Development team, stating that designed in the company's R&D Center for Nestlé Health Science in collaboration with Orgain, the product includes a precision inflamed whey ingredient that is bio-identical to whey protein, it is lactose-free and simpler to digest.

August 2022: Optimum Nutrition ("ON"), a pioneer in sports nutrition, has announced the release of its new Gold Standard Protein Shake. The ready-to-drink alternative incorporates Gold Standard, the world's No. 1 selling whey protein powder brand1, into a convenient grab-and-go style, demonstrating that convenience does not have to mean sacrificing quality. The new multipurpose drink option meets the ON standard for deliciousness, with chocolate and vanilla flavors and 24 grams of protein per serving.

April 2021: Anihac Pharma, one of India's most reputable health and nutritional supplement businesses, is scheduled to debut gainer whey protein in chocolate taste. The company's trademark has been registered in the United States, which also sponsored Mr. Model Worldwide 2019. It has manufacturing units all over India, the largest in Uttrakhand.

Whey Market Segmentation

Whey Type Outlook

• Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC)
• Whey Protein Isolate (WPI)
• Hydrolyzed Whey Protein (HWP)
• Others

Whey Application Outlook

• Functional Foods
• Functional Beverages
• Dietary Supplements
• Others

Whey Regional Outlook

• North America
  • US
  • Canada

• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • UK
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe

• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific

• Rest of the World
  • Middle East
  • Africa
  • Latin America

Attribute/Metric	Details
Market Size 2023	USD 9.9 billion
Market Size 2024	USD 10.7 billion
Market Size 2032	USD 17.8 billion
Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR)	8.76% (2024-2032)
Base Year	2023
Market Forecast Period	2024-2032
Historical Data	2020 - 2022
Market Forecast Units	Value (USD Billion)
Report Coverage	Market Competitive Landscape, Revenue Forecast, Growth Factors, and Trends
Segments Covered	Type and Application
Geographies Covered	Europe, Asia Pacific, North America, and Rest of the World
Countries Covered	Canada, U.S, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil
Key Companies Profiled	Agropur MSI LLC (U.S.), Glanbia Plc (Ireland), American Dairy Products Institute (U.S.), and Arla Foods (Denmark).
Key Market Opportunities	The surge in demand for whey proteins in personal care and sports nutrition
Key Market Dynamics	Consumer awareness toward a healthy diet The surge in the functional beverage market