Pea Fiber Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends And Forecast (2025 - 2030)

Global Pea Fiber Market Trends and Insights

Growth of plant-based and vegan diets

The pea fiber market is experiencing increased demand due to the adoption of plant-based and vegan diets, which require functional ingredients in meat alternatives and dairy substitutes. Pea fiber serves as a natural, allergen-free ingredient that enhances texture and moisture retention in plant-based products. The market expansion extends beyond traditional vegetarian and vegan consumers to include flexitarians who choose plant-based options for health and environmental reasons, creating opportunities across food categories, including bakery, snacks, and beverages. The Veganuary campaign in January 2023 demonstrated this growth, with 7.07 lakhs participants globally adopting a vegan diet, indicating increased acceptance of plant-based eating habits ^{[1]Source: Veganuary, "The Official Veganuary 2023 Participant Survey", veganuary.com}. Manufacturers use pea fiber to enhance the functional properties of meat alternatives and dairy-free products, supporting product development and meeting consumer expectations. The ingredient aligns with clean-label requirements and sustainability goals, as it is produced from pea processing byproducts, supporting waste reduction efforts. The growth in plant-based products has also increased pea fiber usage in pet food and nutraceutical applications, where its prebiotic properties provide additional benefits. The expanding health-conscious consumer base continues to drive demand for pea fiber as an essential ingredient in meeting current dietary preferences.

Expansion of gluten-free food production

The growth of gluten-free food production has evolved from serving a specific medical need to becoming a significant market opportunity, with pea fiber emerging as an essential ingredient to replace wheat-based fibers. Pea fiber improves texture and moisture retention in gluten-free formulations, helping manufacturers address common issues like crumbly or dry products. The FDA's revised dietary fiber definition now includes both soluble and insoluble pea fibers, allowing manufacturers to make accurate fiber content claims. This regulatory update corresponds with the increasing recognition of celiac disease and gluten sensitivities. According to Beyond Celiac, these conditions affect approximately 1% of Americans (1 in 133), with up to 83% of cases remaining undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, suggesting substantial market growth potential ^{[2]Source: Beyond Celiac, "Celiac Disease: Fast Facts", beyondceliac.org}. Food manufacturers are incorporating pea fiber in gluten-free snacks, baked goods, and cereals to serve both diagnosed consumers and those choosing gluten-free diets for health reasons. The natural, allergen-friendly characteristics of pea fiber align with consumer preferences for clean-label ingredients. This increased adoption in food applications is driving market growth and establishing pea fiber as a key ingredient in food development, particularly in gluten-free products.

Consumer demand for clean label ingredients

Consumer preference for clean-label ingredients is driving manufacturers to adopt pea fiber due to its transparency and simplicity. Pea fiber's natural composition aligns with consumer preferences for minimally processed ingredients, increasing its adoption across bakery products, beverages, and meat alternatives. The non-GMO nature and absence of artificial additives in pea fiber make it suitable for organic and natural product segments, allowing manufacturers to serve premium markets. This clean label trend connects with health-conscious and environmentally aware consumers who seek foods with simple ingredients and functional benefits. The ingredient has gained prominence in gluten-free and plant-based products, where clean label certification influences purchasing decisions. As regulations increasingly favor natural fiber sources, pea fiber helps manufacturers meet both transparency requirements and functional needs, driving market innovation and applications. The clean label movement strengthens pea fiber's position in food formulation while increasing its market value as consumers examine product ingredients more carefully.

Regulatory support for fiber-enrichment claims

Regulatory frameworks support the adoption of pea fiber in the food industry by providing manufacturers with clear guidelines for fiber-enrichment claims. The FDA's GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status for pea fiber enables food manufacturers to use it with confidence, as it meets established safety and quality standards ^{[3]Source: United States Food and Drug Administration, "Review of the Scientific Evidence on the Physiological Effects of Certain Non-Digestible Carbohydrates", fda.gov}. Its inclusion in the dietary fiber list allows manufacturers to make fiber content claims that support product marketing. In Europe, Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 on novel foods enables manufacturers to substantiate health claims, helping differentiate products in nutrition-focused markets. These regulatory approvals reduce formulation risks and encourage innovation in bakery products, plant-based meat alternatives, and functional beverages. Companies like A&B Ingredients and Roquette have used these regulations to develop pea fiber ingredients, meeting the increasing consumer demand for healthy, clean-label products. Along with trends in plant-based diets and gluten-free food production, regulatory support establishes pea fiber as a functional ingredient globally. This regulatory environment helps manufacturers ensure compliance across markets and builds market confidence, supporting growth as fiber enrichment remains important to consumers worldwide.

Yellow-pea price volatility and supply risk

Price volatility and supply risks in yellow-pea procurement present operational challenges for pea fiber manufacturers, primarily resulting from geopolitical tensions and trade policy changes. Trade barriers, including China's 10% tariff on U.S. agricultural goods and 100% tariff on Canadian products, along with India's extension of duty-free yellow pea imports until 2026, have created market imbalances. These trade restrictions affect pea availability and create supply uncertainties for pea fiber manufacturers who require consistent raw material access. The European pea production outlook indicates an 11% decline by 2025 due to reduced cultivation areas, despite improvements in yield. This decline further disrupts the supply-demand balance and increases prices across the pea fiber value chain. The market volatility poses risks of raw material shortages and cost increases, affecting manufacturers' capacity to meet the growing demand driven by plant-based, gluten-free, and clean-label trends. To address these challenges, companies need diversified sourcing strategies and effective supply chain management to ensure consistent pea fiber supply. The market environment requires producers to monitor and adjust to changes in yellow-pea availability and pricing to maintain growth in the global market.

Sensory/mouthfeel challenges at high inclusion rates

Manufacturers face technical constraints due to sensory and mouthfeel challenges when using high concentrations of pea fiber. Beany off-flavors and gritty textures reduce product acceptability and consumer preference. While dry fractionation technologies have produced lighter-colored and more neutral-tasting pea fiber ingredients, the inherent organoleptic issues persist when increasing pea fiber content for functional benefits like moisture retention and texture enhancement. These challenges are particularly evident in beverages, where slight texture changes can negatively impact the sensory experience. Formulators must incorporate additional ingredients or masking agents to address these issues, increasing production complexity and costs. Thus, companies are investing in processes to improve sensory properties, but balancing functionality with taste remains problematic. The sensory limitations restrict pea fiber inclusion levels across product categories, affecting market growth despite increasing demand from plant-based, gluten-free, and clean-label trends. The expansion of pea fiber applications and consumer acceptance in the market depends on addressing these sensory challenges through ingredient innovation and improved formulation approaches.

Segment Analysis

By Product Type: Soluble Variants Drive Innovation Despite Insoluble Dominance

Insoluble pea fiber represents 62.52% of the market share in 2024, primarily due to its essential functions in bakery products and meat alternatives. Its ability to enhance texture and retain moisture makes it fundamental in these applications. The fiber's structure provides mechanical strength and water-holding properties that help achieve the desired texture and maintain product stability. Its market position is strengthened by alignment with clean-label requirements and increased demand for plant-based and gluten-free baked products, where natural ingredients are essential for product quality. 

Soluble pea fiber is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.20% from 2025 to 2030. This growth is attributed to its dispersibility and prebiotic properties, which are particularly valuable in beverages and dietary supplements. The fiber dissolves and creates gels that improve mouthfeel and texture without graininess, solving texture issues common with insoluble fibers in liquid products. These properties make it suitable for functional beverages and digestive health supplements, meeting consumer interest in gut health and natural ingredients. Roquette's development of soluble pea fiber formulations reflects this market opportunity, expanding pea fiber applications and contributing to market growth.

By Nature: Organic Segment Capitalizes on Premium Positioning

The conventional pea fiber segment maintains an 87.17% market share in 2024, supported by established supplier relationships and global sourcing networks that ensure stable costs and quality standards. Its widespread availability makes it the preferred choice for food processors requiring large volumes of dietary fiber across applications, including bread fortification and meat extension. The established infrastructure for conventional extraction and milling enables manufacturers to achieve cost efficiencies that smaller suppliers cannot match. This price advantage drives strong adoption in cost-sensitive regions and B2B ingredient markets where bulk purchasing is common. Conventional pea fiber remains essential in food product formulations as manufacturers seek to balance cost-effectiveness with fiber enrichment.

The natural/organic pea fiber segment is projected to grow at a 7.53% CAGR from 2025-2030, as consumers demonstrate increased willingness to pay premium prices for certified organic ingredients and clean-label products. The organic certification, which verifies production without synthetic fertilizers or GMOs, attracts health-conscious consumers and allows manufacturers to maintain higher margins in premium product categories. European markets provide significant growth opportunities for the organic segment, as organic food sales continue to expand despite economic fluctuations, creating consistent demand for certified organic pea fiber ingredients.

By Application: Dietary Supplements Emerge as High-Growth Opportunity

Food and beverages applications account for 72.19% of pea fiber demand in 2024, due to the ingredient's functional benefits across multiple product categories. In bakery and confectionery products, pea fiber enhances moisture retention, maintaining product softness and shelf life, particularly in gluten-free and plant-based products. The meat alternatives segment utilizes pea fiber's binding and texture properties to achieve meat-like chewiness and mouthfeel. In beverages, pea fiber improves mouthfeel and nutritional content without affecting clarity or taste, supporting development in functional and clean-label drinks.

The dietary supplements segment is expected to grow at a 7.02% CAGR from 2025 to 2030, driven by increased consumer focus on digestive health and weight management. Pea fiber's prebiotic properties support gut microbiota health, making it valuable for digestive wellness and metabolic supplements. The pet food industry shows consistent growth as premium brands incorporate pea fiber to improve digestive function and fiber content, responding to the trend of premium pet nutrition. The pharmaceutical sector, while smaller, presents opportunities for specialized formulations requiring specific fiber properties. 

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

Geography Analysis

North America accounts for 37.35% of the pea fiber market value in 2024, supported by advanced food processing infrastructure and regulatory frameworks that enable plant-based ingredient innovation. The region's strong consumer acceptance of pea fiber products aligns with health and sustainability trends. Canada's position as a major pea producer strengthens the regional supply chain. However, trade tensions and anti-dumping investigations create supply chain uncertainties affecting pricing and availability. Companies like EatWell Group (Belle Pulses) utilize North America's established ecosystem to develop pea fiber applications for bakery products, meat alternatives, and nutritional supplements.

Asia-Pacific demonstrates the highest growth potential with a 5.61% CAGR from 2025 to 2030, driven by urban health awareness and plant-based diet adoption. China shows significant demand growth, particularly in functional beverages and dietary supplements. India's extension of duty-free yellow pea imports until 2026 enhances supply chain stability and cost efficiency. Besides, the expanding middle-class populations across Southeast Asia increase demand for premium, health-focused food ingredients. Regional manufacturers respond by developing pea fiber-enriched products that meet local consumer preferences.

Europe maintains consistent market growth through strict regulations favoring natural and sustainable ingredients. The EU's novel foods regulation and safety standards create a stable environment for market development and product innovation. Sustainability requirements increase pea fiber adoption in bakery products, plant-based meat alternatives, and beverages. Companies like Roquette develop clean-label products incorporating pea fiber that meet European quality and sustainability standards. The region's regulatory structure and environmental priorities maintain its significant position in the global pea fiber market.