Edible Insects Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 1.11 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 2.09 Billion |
| CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 13.40% |
| Fastest Growing Market | North America |
| Largest Market | Asia |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Edible Insects Market Analysis
The Edible Insects Market size is estimated at USD 1.11 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 2.09 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 13.40% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
Edible insects provide a sustainable protein source with higher feed-conversion efficiency and lower environmental impact than traditional animal proteins. Their nutritional profile helps address global malnutrition and food security issues, while their byproducts have applications in food production, agriculture, and medicine. These insects are traditional food sources in over 100 countries across Asia, Africa, and South America. The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs projects global population to exceed 9 billion by 2050, driving increased protein demand. This demographic trend has heightened interest in edible insects as a sustainable food security solution.
Government organizations globally are implementing projects and initiatives to boost investments, research, and industry partnerships in the edible insect market. These organizations prioritize approving insects for human consumption to ensure safety and market acceptance. In January 2025, the European Commission approved UV-treated powder from whole Tenebrio molitor larvae (yellow mealworm) as a novel food ingredient, allowing its use in various food products for general consumption. This novel food approval enables companies to introduce different insect species in the EU market under specific conditions.
Companies are diversifying their edible insect product lines to meet growing demand for sustainable and nutritious food options. These products range from snacks to main course ingredients. In 2024, Singapore-based Insectyumz launched cricket and mealworm products, including cricket bites in Tom Yum and Spicy BBQ flavors, along with mealworm snacks and powder. These snack-focused product introductions are contributing to market growth during the forecast period.
Edible Insects Market Trends
Demand for Edible Beetles Driven by Nutritional and Environmental Benefits
The global edible beetle market continues to expand due to nutritional advantages and sustainable production practices. Edible beetles provide significant protein content, ranging from 16.8% to 71.0%, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization. These insects also contain essential micronutrients, including iron, calcium, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids, enhancing their nutritional value in human diets.
Beetle farming demonstrates environmental efficiency compared to conventional livestock production. The practice requires minimal land, water, and feed resources while generating lower greenhouse gas emissions. The Food and Agriculture Organization projects that by 2030, food production must support over 9 billion people and billions of animals raised for food, recreation, and companionship. Traditional intensive livestock farming and overgrazing have contributed to forest degradation and climate change impacts, positioning insect farming as a practical solution to food and feed security challenges.
The market development faces obstacles including cultural resistance, regulatory constraints, and safety concerns. These challenges necessitate consumer education initiatives and the implementation of standardized safety protocols. However, market growth continues, supported by increasing demand for nutritious products, environmental sustainability benefits, and economic advantages of insect-based food production.
Asia Pacific Leads Global Insect Farming and Consumption
In rural China, insect farming provides income opportunities through specialized breeding operations. The industry utilizes two main production methods: full domestication in controlled environments and partial captivity with habitat modification to optimize production. These insects serve multiple purposes, including human consumption, medicine, and animal feed.
Japan maintains a significant insect consumption culture, which gained prominence during World War II as a vital nutrition source. The practice was historically concentrated in mountainous and inland regions with limited access to conventional protein sources. The Oxya yezoensis grasshopper (inago) remains Japan's most consumed insect, typically prepared with soy sauce and sugar and sold in canned form. The country recognizes 123 edible insect species, with Vespula lewisi wasp larvae and pupae being widely consumed.
Thailand holds a substantial market position in the insect-based products industry. The country, which consumes 272 insect species, maintains over 20,000 registered insect farming enterprises, predominantly small-scale household operations. Thai consumers regularly eat silkworm pupae, bamboo worms, locusts, beetles, crickets, and red ants, commonly found in street food markets. Grasshoppers are particularly popular in Phuket due to their firm texture.
Edible Insects Industry Overview
The edible insects market is highly fragmented, with most companies being recent entrants holding small market shares. Key players including Ynsect, HaoCheng Mealworms Inc., Entomo Farms Ltd., Hargol FoodTech, and Essento represent significant portions of the market. Companies primarily compete through product innovation and new product launches. Market participants are investing in research and development while expanding their production capabilities to meet growing demand and maintain market positions.
Edible Insects Market Leaders
-
Entomo Farms Ltd.
-
Ynsect
-
HaoCheng Mealworms Inc.
-
Hargol FoodTech
-
Essento
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Edible Insects Market News
- June 2024: Yum Bug, London's first insect-focused restaurant, opened in Finsbury Park with a distinctive yellow exterior design and specializes in cricket-based dishes.
- May 2023: All Things Bugs received U.S. patent for its Griopro cricket powder production method, advancing the development of insects as sustainable food ingredients. The company holds similar patents in Europe, Canada, and Mexico. The process uses wet-grinding and drying techniques to convert edible insects into fine powder.
- January 2023: Ynsect expanded its global operations by opening Ynfarm, the world's largest insect farm. This expansion enhances Ynsect's product delivery capabilities and addresses the increasing demand for insect-based products.
Edible Insects Industry Segmentation
Edible insects refer to insect species that humans consume. People typically eat them either as whole insects or in a pulverized form, which serves as an ingredient in various dishes and processed food products, including burger patties, pasta, and snacks. The Edible Insects Market categorizes itself by Insect Type, including Beetles, Caterpillars, Hymenoptera, Orthoptera, Tree Bugs, and other varieties. By Product Type, the market distinguishes between Whole Insects and those used as an Ingredient. The Whole Insects category further divides into BBQ, Steamed or Fried, and Raw. Meanwhile, the Ingredient category breaks down into Drinks, Insect Confectionery, Snacks and Baked Products, and Others. Geographically, the market spans North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and the Middle-East & Africa. The report provides market size and forecasts, expressed in USD, for each of the aforementioned segments.
| Insect Type | Beetles | ||
| Caterpillar | |||
| Hymenoptera | |||
| Orthoptera | |||
| Tree Bugs | |||
| Other Insect Types | |||
| Product Type | As a Whole | BBQ | |
| Stream or Fried | |||
| Raw | |||
| As an Ingredient | Drinks | ||
| Insect Confectionery | |||
| Snacks and Backed Products | |||
| Others | |||
| Geography | North America | United States | |
| Canada | |||
| Mexico | |||
| Rest of North America | |||
| Europe | Germany | ||
| United Kingdom | |||
| France | |||
| Russia | |||
| Poland | |||
| Rest of Europe | |||
| Asia-Pacific | China | ||
| Japan | |||
| Thailand | |||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | |||
| South America | Brazil | ||
| Argentina | |||
| Rest of South America | |||
| Middle-East & Africa | South Africa | ||
| Rest of Middle-East & Africa | |||
| Beetles |
| Caterpillar |
| Hymenoptera |
| Orthoptera |
| Tree Bugs |
| Other Insect Types |
| As a Whole | BBQ |
| Stream or Fried | |
| Raw | |
| As an Ingredient | Drinks |
| Insect Confectionery | |
| Snacks and Backed Products | |
| Others |
| North America | United States |
| Canada | |
| Mexico | |
| Rest of North America | |
| Europe | Germany |
| United Kingdom | |
| France | |
| Russia | |
| Poland | |
| Rest of Europe | |
| Asia-Pacific | China |
| Japan | |
| Thailand | |
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | |
| South America | Brazil |
| Argentina | |
| Rest of South America | |
| Middle-East & Africa | South Africa |
| Rest of Middle-East & Africa |
Edible Insects Market Research Faqs
How big is the Edible Insects Market?
The Edible Insects Market size is expected to reach USD 1.11 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 13.40% to reach USD 2.09 billion by 2030.
What is the current Edible Insects Market size?
In 2025, the Edible Insects Market size is expected to reach USD 1.11 billion.
Who are the key players in Edible Insects Market?
Entomo Farms Ltd., Ynsect, HaoCheng Mealworms Inc., Hargol FoodTech and Essento are the major companies operating in the Edible Insects Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Edible Insects Market?
North America is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2025-2030).
Which region has the biggest share in Edible Insects Market?
In 2025, the Asia accounts for the largest market share in Edible Insects Market.
What years does this Edible Insects Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the Edible Insects Market size was estimated at USD 0.96 billion. The report covers the Edible Insects Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Edible Insects Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
Our Best Selling Reports
Edible Insects Industry Report
The global edible insects market is witnessing remarkable growth due to heightened consumer awareness about the environmental impacts of traditional livestock farming, propelling a shift towards edible insects as a sustainable protein source. This trend is bolstered by the nutritional benefits of insects, such as high protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, fitting well into diets like keto and paleo. Innovations in food products that incorporate edible insects, including protein bars, pasta, and snacks, meet the rising demand for alternative proteins and culinary adventures. Despite facing cultural aversions, technological limits, and regulatory variances, industry players are advancing through strategic partnerships and product innovations to mainstream insect consumption and broaden market presence. Edible insects, particularly grasshoppers for their nutritional and culinary versatility, are segmented by product, application, and distribution, signaling substantial growth potential. Statistics for the Edible Insects market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Edible Insects analysis includes a market forecast outlook and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
