Functional Protein Market Size, Growth, and Trends 2025 to 2035

Functional Protein Market Size 2025 to 2035

The global functional protein market size reached at USD 9.45 billion in 2025 and is anticipated to increase from USD 10.93 billion in 2026 to an estimated USD 40.62 billion by 2035, witnessing a CAGR of 15.7% during the forecast period from 2026 to 2035. The expansion of sports nutrition and the focus on muscle maintenance drive market growth.

Key Highlights

• By region, Asia Pacific led the functional protein market revenue with 37% in 2025.
• By region, North America is growing at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period.
• By product, the whey protein segment led the market in 2025. 
• By product, the soy protein segment is growing at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period. 
• By source, the animal-based segment led the market in 2025.
• By source, the plant-based segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period.
• By form, the dry segment led the market in 2025.
• By form, the liquid segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period.
• By application, the dietary supplements segment led the market in 2025.
• By application, the functional beverage segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period.

Functional Protein Industry Coverage

Market Overview

Functional protein are a type of protein that is capable of performing specific functions in the body. They perform functions like chemical messengers, transport substances, catalyzes reaction, and defend against pathogens. They offer benefits like enhancing immunity, providing stability to food products, accelerating recovery rate, enhancing hydration, improving nutritional profiles, and promoting sustainability. The various functional proteins are hormones, defense, storage, enzymes, movement, and transport. The functional proteins are very important for regulation, metabolic processes, and immune response. 

The functional proteins market growth is driven by increased plant-based protein consumption, expansion of fitness culture, high spending on functional food products, popularity of protein-enhanced dairy, focus on metabolism improvement, growing obesity rates, continuous growth in active lifestyles, and the focus on a healthy lifestyle. 

What are the Key Trends in the Functional Protein Market?

• Plant-Based Protein Growth: The consumer is lowering their intake of saturated fat, and the strong focus on seeking vegetarian food increases demand for plant-based proteins to fulfill nutritional needs. 
• Growing Fitness Culture: The growing awareness of preventive care in younger demographics and the increased popularity of various fitness activities like pilates and many more increases demand for functional protein.
• Focus on Chronic Disease Management: The consumer focuses on managing high blood pressure, and the need to prevent long-lasting conditions like cancer increases the consumption of functional proteins.
• Shift Towards Transparent Sourcing: The strong consumer focus on ethical purchasing and the growing eco-conscious consumer increases demand for transparent sourcing of functional protein ingredients.

Key Technological Shift in the Functional Protein Market 

The technological shifts like microencapsulation, microarray technology, cold plasma technology, high-throughput screening, clean-label technologies, and novel processing techniques are being experienced in the market, driven by demand for the creation of a cleaner label, sustainability, enhancing extraction, and improving nutritional value. One of the major shifts is the integration of AI technology driven by demand for optimizing texture, lowering development times, and optimizing novel proteins. 

AI develops non-natural protein structures and accelerates the delivery of functional ingredients. AI easily identifies high-quality ingredient sources and manufactures therapeutic proteins. AI determines the solubility of functional protein and replicates the taste of animal protein. AI optimizes precision fermentation and creates sustainable protein formulations. Overall, AI creates customized functional proteins by lowering cost. 
For instance, Amai Proteins uses AI for the production of healthy sweet proteins. 

Trade Analysis of the Functional Protein Market: Import & Export Statistics

• New Zealand exported $853M of casein in 2024. 
• The United States imported $506M of casein in 2024. 
• China exported 8,458 shipments of soy proteins.
• The United States is the leading importer of soy proteins. 
• India exported 133 shipments of protein hydrolysate powder. 
• The United States exported 7,366 shipments of whey protein concentrate.
• India is the leading importer of whey protein concentrate. 

Functional Protein Market Value Chain Analysis

Raw Material Procurement

• The stage focuses on acquiring feedstocks like pea, sunflower, milk, gelatin, algae, spirulina, soy, legumes, eggs, yeast, mussels, collagen, rice, and corn.
• Key Players: Cargill, Roquette Frères, Kerry Group, DSM-Firmenich, ADM, Ingredion Incorporated, IFF

Processing and Preservation

• The processing involves steps like biological maturation, protein folding, physical & chemical modification, purification, and separation. Preservation involves principles like cryopreservation, structural maintenance, cold storage, advanced techniques, and chemical stabilizers.
• Key Players: Cargill, Roquette Frères, Ingredion Incorporated, Alfa Laval, Innophos, ADM, GEA Group, Kerry Group, Glanbia PLC

Quality Testing and Certifications

• Quality testing involves examination of properties like amino acid profiling, solubility, foaming, contaminant analysis, protein purity, emulsification, and digestibility. Certifications like ISO17025, NSF, FSSAI, and ANSI 173 are required. 
• Key Players: NSF International, SGS Nutrasource, Eurofins Scientific, TUV SUD, Shiva Analytics, Informed Protein, Informed Sport

Overview of Functional Protein Types and Their Role

Functional Protein Market Regional Insights

Why Asia Pacific Dominates the Functional Protein Market?

Asia Pacific dominated the functional proteins market in 2025. The growing consumption of nutritious diets and the surging vegetarian populations increase demand for functional proteins. The strong focus on combating lifestyle diseases and the high popularity of protein bar increase the adoption of functional proteins. The growing sports culture and the focus on maintaining muscle mass require functional proteins. The continuous expansion of the food and beverage sector and the growing rate of gym memberships require functional proteins, driving the overall market growth.

Asia Pacific Functional Protein Market Size 2025 to 2035

The Asia Pacific functional protein market size was calculated at USD 3.5 billion in 2025 with projections indicating a rise from USD 4.04 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 15.23 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 15.84% throughout the forecast period from 2026 to 2035.

China Powering Functional Proteins Development

China is a major contributor to the market. The growing fitness culture in younger generations and the focus on preventive healthcare increase demand for functional proteins. The increased popularity of bodybuilding and the rising modernization of the food sector increase the adoption of functional proteins. The growing consumption of plant-based proteins and the popularity of supplements support the overall market growth.

• China exported $2.97M of casein in 2025. 

North America Functional Protein Market Trends

North America is experiencing the fastest growth in the market during the forecast period. The growing wellness consciousness and the robust growth in fitness activities increase demand for functional proteins. The need to maintain muscle mass in older people and the focus on active lifestyles increase the adoption of functional proteins. The increased awareness of chronic illness and the well-established food processing base increases demand for functional proteins drive the overall market growth.

Functional Proteins Transforming Health in the United States

The United States is a key contributor to the market in the North America region. The strong focus on enhancing digestive health and the increased need for weight loss increase demand for functional proteins. The robust growth in sports nutrition and the growing health consciousness require functional proteins. The advanced food technology and the focus on managing age-related conditions require functional proteins, supporting the overall market growth.

• The United States exported 14,324 shipments of soy proteins.

Functional Protein Market Segmental Insights

Product Insights

Why Whey Protein Concentrates Segment is Dominating the Functional Protein Market?

The whey protein concentrates segment dominated the functional proteins market in 2025. The increased use of foaming agents in food processing and the expanding sports nutrition industry increases demand for whey protein. The strong focus on muscle recovery and the increasing obesity rates require whey proteins. The rapid digestion, cost-effectiveness, high functionality, rapid absorption, and superior nutrition of whey protein drive the overall market growth.

The Soy Protein Segment is the Fastest-Growing in the Market During the Forecast Period

The growing ethical consumerism and the popularity of plant-based proteins increase demand for soy protein. The high consumption rate of cholesterol-free products and the innovation in food processing require soy proteins. The sustainability, high functionality, and superior nutritional values of soy proteins support the overall market growth. 

Source Insights

How did the Animal-Based Segment hold the Largest Share in the Functional Protein Market? 

The animal-based segment held the largest revenue share in the functional proteins market in 2025. The increased production of functional food and the need for muscle recovery increase demand for animal-based protein. The high consumption of sports nutrition supplements requires animal-based proteins. The high bioavailability, application diversity, superior nutritional profile, and technical functionality of animal-based proteins drive the overall market growth. 

The Plant-Based Segment is Experiencing the Fastest Growth in the Market During the Forecast Period

The growing prevalence of chronic illness and the increasing environmental awareness increase demand for plant-based proteins. The increased production of nutritional bars and the high consumption rate of protein-enriched snacks require plant-based proteins. The popularity of a flexitarian lifestyle and wellness trends supports the overall market growth.

Form Insights 

Why Dry Segment Dominates the Functional Protein Market?

The dry segment dominated the functional proteins market in 2025. The increased production of bakery items and the growing rate of on-the-go lifestyles increase demand for dry form. The higher production rate of muscle-building supplements requires a dry form. The high protein concentration, logistic efficiency, consumer convenience, high precision, and longer shelf life of the dry form drive the market growth. 

The Liquid Segment is the Fastest-Growing in the Market During the Forecast Period

The increased production of specialized nutritional products and the transition towards protein-enriched beverages increase demand for liquid form. The increased consumption of yogurt and the focus on workout recovery increases adoption of the liquid form. The unmatched convenience, faster absorption, targeted benefits, and rapid effectiveness of the liquid form support the overall market growth. 

Application Insights

Which Application held the Largest Share in the Functional Protein Market?

The dietary supplements segment held the largest revenue share in the functional proteins market in 2025. The growth in proactive health management and the push for plant-based diets increases demand for dietary supplements, which require functional proteins. The increased consumption of protein powder and the huge need for muscle recovery increase the consumption of dietary supplements. The need for nutritional support and the focus on managing malnutrition drive the overall market growth. 

The Functional Beverage Segment is Experiencing the Fastest Growth in the Market During the Forecast Period

The consumer demand for ready-to-drink protein and the focus on weight management increase demand for functional protein beverages. The expanding home workouts and the growing lactose-intolerant populations increase demand for functional beverages. The nutrient bioavailability, convenience, and wellness consciousness support the overall market growth.

Recent Developments in the Functional Protein Market

Verley

• In March 2025, Verley launched functional precision fermentation dairy proteins, the FermWhey™ range. The protein is useful across applications like functional dairy, UHT beverages, and sports nutrition. The range includes products like FermWhey Native, FermWhey Gel, and FermWhey MicroStab. (Source: iGrow News)

Tetra Pak

• In November 2025, Tetra Pak launched sunflower protein ingredients for plant-based functional beverages. The ingredient is available in off-white colorings and used in applications like plant-based ready-to-drink protein beverages, iced coffee, and yogurt. The ingredient delivers balanced nutrition and supports health-conscious consumers. (Source: Food Ingredients 1st)

ZXCHEM Group

• In October 2025, ZXCHEM GROUP launched Biotide Proteins. The Biotide Proteins range includes HydroBF, HydroPea, HyperHydrolyzed, HydroRice, and HydroBR. The range serves industries like nutrition, supplements, and food. (Source: PR Newswire)

Top Companies in the Functional Protein Market

• Abbott Nutrition: The company includes products like therapeutic nutrition, infant formulas, and nutritional shakes for adult strength, addressing malnutrition, and children's growth. 
• Amway Corporation: The Ada-based company involves key brands like Artistry, XS Energy, Nutrilite, and eSpring supports production of home care products, nutrition, and beauty. 
• Archer Daniels Midland Company: The Chicago-based company manufactures functional ingredients like concentrates, pea protein isolates, soy protein isolates, and textured proteins for functional enhancement of vegan, plant-based, and vegetarian food.
• Arla Foods Ingredients Group P/S: The company manufactures milk-based and whey-based ingredients for the production of products like protein bars, clinical nutrition, infant formula, and beverages. 
• Cargill, Incorporated: The agribusiness corporation manufactures animal-based protein, plant-based protein, and fermentation-derived proteins for animal, human, and pet nutrition. 

Other Companies

• DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
• Fonterra Co-operative Group
• FrieslandCampina
• Glanbia plc
• Kerry Group

Segments Covered in the Report

By Product

• Hydrolysates
• Whey Protein Concentrates
• Whey Protein Isolates
• Casein & Caseinates
• Soy Protein
• Others

By Source

• Animal-Based
• Plant-Based

By Form

• Dry
• Liquid

By Application

• Functional Foods
• Functional Beverages
• Dietary Supplements
• Animal Nutrition

By Region

• North America
• Europe 
• Asia Pacific
• MEA
• Latin America