United Kingdom Animal Protein Market Size and Share

United Kingdom Animal Protein Market (2026 - 2031)
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United Kingdom Animal Protein Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence

The United Kingdom animal protein market size stood at USD 568.35 million in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 724.18 million by 2031, registering a 4.97% CAGR over the period. This advance reflects a structural pivot toward clinical nutrition, beauty-from-within products, and ethically sourced ingredients rather than pure volume expansion. Whey remains the single-largest protein type because of its entrenched role in sports nutrition, infant formula, and bakery fortification, yet collagen peptides are stealing growth momentum as consumers link the ingredient to joint, skin,n and post-surgery recovery benefits. Process technology upgrades, cross-flow microfiltration, enzymatic hydrolysis, and energy-efficient spray drying- continue to lower unit cost while delivering near-flavorless, high-purity isolates that match formulator requirements for beverages, bars, and clinical feeds.

Key Report Takeaways

  • By protein type, whey protein captured a 22.09% United Kingdom animal protein market share in 2025, while collagen is forecast to expand at a 5.36% CAGR through 2031.
  • By category, conventional formats accounted for 76.10% of the United Kingdom animal protein market size in 2025; organic variants are advancing at a 7.79% CAGR.
  • By application, food and beverages led with 58.95% of value in 2025, but functional nutrition is projected to grow at 6.14% CAGR through 2031.

Note: Market size and forecast figures in this report are generated using Mordor Intelligence’s proprietary estimation framework, updated with the latest available data and insights as of January 2026.

Segment Analysis

By Protein Type: Collagen Leads Growth as Whey Dominates Volume

Whey protein accounted for 22.09% of the United Kingdom animal-protein market in 2025, highlighting its established role in sports nutrition, infant formula, and bakery fortification. Collagen is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.36% through 2031, marking the fastest growth among all protein types. This growth is driven by its use in beauty-from-within supplements, joint-health beverages, and clinical-recovery formulations. Casein and caseinates are utilized in niche applications such as processed cheese and high-protein bars, where their slow-digestion properties support satiety-related claims.

Egg protein remains primarily used in bakery and confectionery products; however, supply disruptions caused by avian influenza outbreaks in late 2024 led some formulators to replace it with whey or pea isolates. Gelatin competes with collagen in gummy vitamins and pharmaceutical capsules, but its growth is limited by increasing consumer preference for vegetarian alternatives such as pectin and carrageenan. The segmentation of protein types reveals a clear division: commodity proteins like whey and casein compete based on price and functional performance, while collagen and specialty proteins focus on differentiation through bioavailability and health benefits.

United Kingdom Animal Protein Market: Market Share by Protein Type
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By Category: Organic Gains Momentum Despite Conventional Dominance

Conventional animal proteins accounted for 76.10% of the market in 2025, supported by cost advantages and well-established supply chains catering to mass-market food and beverage applications. In contrast, organic variants are projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.79% through 2031, marking the fastest growth rate within the category segmentation. Organic whey and casein are increasingly used in premium infant formulas and sports-nutrition powders, where brands utilize certification logos to justify price premiums of 25% to 35% over conventional alternatives.

However, the organic segment faces challenges such as limited farmland availability and higher feed costs, which hinder supply scalability. Regulatory oversight by the Food Standards Agency, requiring clear labeling of organic status and prohibiting misleading claims, strengthens consumer trust in certified products. This category division highlights a two-speed market: volume growth in conventional proteins driven by cost-sensitive applications, and value growth in organic proteins driven by premiumization and sustainability considerations.

By Application: Functional Nutrition Outpaces Food and Beverages

In 2025, food and beverage applications accounted for 58.95% of the demand, encompassing bakery fortification, ready-to-eat meals, dairy alternatives, breakfast cereals, condiments, sauces, confectionery, and ready-to-cook products. These products utilize whey isolates, egg whites, and caseinates to enhance texture, shelf life, and nutritional value. Functional nutrition, which includes baby food and infant formula, elderly nutrition, medical nutrition, and sports/performance nutrition, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.14% through 2031, marking the fastest growth rate among application segments.

Personal care and cosmetics represent a smaller but high-margin application area, with marine collagens sourced from Mowi Scotland's certified salmon farms being used by ingredient formulators. While animal feed falls outside the scope of human nutrition, it utilizes lower-grade protein fractions and by-products, contributing to circular-economy models for processors. The application segmentation highlights that although food and beverage volumes dominate, the faster growth and higher margins of functional nutrition are influencing supplier priorities and R&D investments.

United Kingdom Animal Protein Market: Market Share by Application
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Geography Analysis

The South-East and Greater London account for the largest share of spending, driven by higher disposable incomes and a dense retail presence. The concentration of gyms and premium coffee chains in urban boroughs further supports the consumption of sports and functional protein products. In Greater London, the market share for whey in the United Kingdom's animal protein market remains above the national average, reflecting strong penetration among fitness-focused consumers.

Northern England and the Midlands show moderate adoption levels but lead in processing capacity. The presence of Arla’s innovation center and Müller’s Skelmersdale expansion in the North-West enhances localized supply, reducing freight costs and carbon footprints. Organic protein penetration in these regions is lower compared to the South-East; however, Soil Association certifications are increasing rapidly among dairy farms in Yorkshire.

The South-West and Wales are emerging as the fastest-growing regions due to aging demographics. Both regions have a population aged 65 and above exceeding 22%, compared to the national average of 18.7% in 2024. Care homes and NHS trusts in these areas are increasingly sourcing high-leucine medical-nutrition shakes, driving demand for collagen and milk protein. Retailers in Cardiff and Bristol report double-digit growth in collagen beverages marketed for joint health, highlighting the influence of demographic trends.

Competitive Landscape

The United Kingdom animal-protein market is marked by low concentration, with significant fragmentation across dairy cooperatives, meat processors, marine-protein specialists, and ingredient traders. No single company dominates the market, with no player holding more than a 15% share. Additionally, the top five companies collectively account for less than 40% of total revenue. This fragmented structure creates opportunities for regional processors and niche innovators to coexist alongside multinational ingredient suppliers, fostering a competitive and diverse market environment.

Growth opportunities in the market are centered around high-value products such as lactose-free whey isolates, marine collagens with verified sustainability credentials, and organic egg proteins. These products command premium pricing due to their specialized nature but require substantial investments in advanced processing technologies. For example, lactose-free whey isolates and marine collagens necessitate capital-intensive upgrades to meet quality and sustainability standards. Such innovations are increasingly critical as consumer demand shifts toward products with added health benefits and environmental considerations.

Technology adoption is emerging as a key competitive differentiator in the market. Companies are leveraging advanced processes to enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact. For instance, Arla Foods Ingredients introduced cross-flow microfiltration in 2024, achieving 95% protein purity in whey isolates while reducing water consumption by 18%. This not only lowered production costs but also minimized the environmental footprint. Looking ahead, the competitive landscape is expected to consolidate modestly by 2031, with mid-tier processors either acquiring niche capabilities or transitioning to plant-protein portfolios. Meanwhile, leading players are likely to focus on process innovations to sustain margins in a market characterized by increasingly fragmented demand.

United Kingdom Animal Protein Industry Leaders

  1. Darling Ingredients Inc.

  2. Glanbia PLC

  3. Arla Foods Ingredients Group

  4. Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd

  5. FrieslandCampina Ingredients

  6. *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
United Kingdom Animal Protein Market Concentration
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Recent Industry Developments

  • November 2025: Arla Foods Ingredients introduced a range of high-protein dairy and whey concepts at Fi Europe 2025, highlighting how its milk and whey protein ingredients can support product innovation for health-conscious consumers. The company showcased five new application ideas: a high-protein transparent yoghurt, a drinking yoghurt containing 25 g of hydrolysed whey protein per serving, a carbonated whey-based Milky Spark drink, a gluten-free high-protein cookie, and a high-protein brownie. Each product combines taste with functional nutrition.
  • June 2025: The premium sports nutrition brand Isopure by Glanbia launched in the UK, introducing two key products: Isopure Whey Protein Isolate and Isopure Collagen. These products are developed with a minimal-ingredients approach, containing only essential components without artificial additives or fillers.

Table of Contents for United Kingdom Animal Protein Industry Report

1. INTRODUCTION

  • 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
  • 1.2 Scope of the Study

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4. MARKET LANDSCAPE

  • 4.1 Market Overview
  • 4.2 Market Drivers
    • 4.2.1 Growth in convenient and ready‑to‑eat protein‑fortified foods
    • 4.2.2 Growth of the sports and performance nutrition sector
    • 4.2.3 Expansion of functional and specialty foods and beverages
    • 4.2.4 Aging population and clinical nutrition needs
    • 4.2.5 Innovation in ingredient processing technologies
    • 4.2.6 Shift toward clean‑label, ethically sourced ingredients
  • 4.3 Market Restraints
    • 4.3.1 Intensifying competition from plant and cultivated proteins
    • 4.3.2 Increasing lactose intolerance limiting dairy‑based animal proteins
    • 4.3.3 Consumer skepticism towards insect protein
    • 4.3.4 Raw material price volatility
  • 4.4 Supply Chain Analysis
  • 4.5 Regulatory Landscape
  • 4.6 Technological Outlook
  • 4.7 Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
    • 4.7.1 Threat of New Entrants
    • 4.7.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
    • 4.7.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
    • 4.7.4 Threat of Substitutes
    • 4.7.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

5. MARKET SIZE AND GROWTH FORECATS (VALUE)

  • 5.1 By Protein Type
    • 5.1.1 Casein and Caseinates
    • 5.1.2 Collagen
    • 5.1.3 Egg Protein
    • 5.1.4 Gelatin
    • 5.1.5 Insect Protein
    • 5.1.6 Milk Protein
    • 5.1.7 Whey Protein
    • 5.1.8 Other Animal Protein
  • 5.2 By Category
    • 5.2.1 Conventional
    • 5.2.2 Organic
  • 5.3 By Application
    • 5.3.1 Animal Feed
    • 5.3.2 Personal Care and Cosmetics
    • 5.3.3 Food and Beverages
    • 5.3.3.1 Bakery
    • 5.3.3.2 Beverages
    • 5.3.3.3 Breakfast Cereals
    • 5.3.3.4 Condiments/Sauces
    • 5.3.3.5 Confectionery
    • 5.3.3.6 Dairy and Dairy Products
    • 5.3.3.7 RTE/RTC Food Products
    • 5.3.3.8 Dietary Supplements
    • 5.3.3.9 Others
    • 5.3.4 Functional Nutrition
    • 5.3.4.1 Baby Food and Infant Formula
    • 5.3.4.2 Elderly Nutrition and Medical Nutrition
    • 5.3.4.3 Sport/Performance Nutrition

6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

  • 6.1 Market Concentration
  • 6.2 Strategic Moves
  • 6.3 Market Positioning Analysis
  • 6.4 Company Profiles {(includes Global level Overview, Market level overview, Core Segments, Financials as available, Strategic Information, Market Rank/Share for key companies, Products and Services, and Recent Developments)}
    • 6.4.1 Darling Ingredients Inc.
    • 6.4.2 Arla Foods Ingredients Group
    • 6.4.3 Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd
    • 6.4.4 FrieslandCampina Ingredients
    • 6.4.5 Glanbia PLC
    • 6.4.6 Avara Foods
    • 6.4.7 Foyle Food Group
    • 6.4.8 Saputo Dairy UK
    • 6.4.9 Müller UK & Ireland
    • 6.4.10 Young’s Seafood
    • 6.4.11 Nomad Foods (Birds Eye UK)
    • 6.4.12 Karro Food Group
    • 6.4.13 Bakkavor Group
    • 6.4.14 Greencore Group
    • 6.4.15 Hilton Food Group
    • 6.4.16 Mowi Scotland
    • 6.4.17 Dawnfresh Seafoods
    • 6.4.18 Icelandic Seachill
    • 6.4.19 Pilgrim’s UK
    • 6.4.20 Futura Foods UK

7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE OUTLOOK

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United Kingdom Animal Protein Market Report Scope

Casein and Caseinates, Collagen, Egg Protein, Gelatin, Insect Protein, Milk Protein, Whey Protein are covered as segments by Protein Type. Animal Feed, Food and Beverages, Personal Care and Cosmetics, Supplements are covered as segments by End User.
By Protein Type
Casein and Caseinates
Collagen
Egg Protein
Gelatin
Insect Protein
Milk Protein
Whey Protein
Other Animal Protein
By Category
Conventional
Organic
By Application
Animal Feed
Personal Care and Cosmetics
Food and Beverages Bakery
Beverages
Breakfast Cereals
Condiments/Sauces
Confectionery
Dairy and Dairy Products
RTE/RTC Food Products
Dietary Supplements
Others
Functional Nutrition Baby Food and Infant Formula
Elderly Nutrition and Medical Nutrition
Sport/Performance Nutrition
By Protein Type Casein and Caseinates
Collagen
Egg Protein
Gelatin
Insect Protein
Milk Protein
Whey Protein
Other Animal Protein
By Category Conventional
Organic
By Application Animal Feed
Personal Care and Cosmetics
Food and Beverages Bakery
Beverages
Breakfast Cereals
Condiments/Sauces
Confectionery
Dairy and Dairy Products
RTE/RTC Food Products
Dietary Supplements
Others
Functional Nutrition Baby Food and Infant Formula
Elderly Nutrition and Medical Nutrition
Sport/Performance Nutrition
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Market Definition

  • End User - The Protein Ingredients Market operates on a B2B basis. Food, Beverages, Supplements, Animal Feed, and Personal Care & Cosmetic manufacturers are considered to be end-consumers in the market studied. The scope excludes manufacturers buying liquid/dry whey to be used for application as a binding agent or thickener or other non-protein applications.
  • Penetration Rate - Penetration Rate is defined as the percentage of Protein-Fortified End User Market Volume in the Overall End User Market Volume.
  • Average Protein Content - Average protein content is the average protein content present per 100 g of product manufactured by all end-user companies considered under the scope of this report.
  • End User Market Volume - End-user market volume is the consolidated volume of all types and forms of end-user products in the country or region.
Keyword Definition
Alpha-lactalbumin (α-Lactalbumin) It is a protein that regulates the production of lactose in the milk of almost all mammalian species.
Amino acid It is an organic compound that contains both amino and carboxylic acid functional groups, which are required for the synthesis of body protein and other important nitrogen-containing compounds, such as creatine, peptide hormones, and some neurotransmitters.
Blanching It is the process of briefly heating vegetables with steam or boiling water.
BRC British Retail Consortium
Bread improver It is a flour-based blend of several components with specific functional properties designed to modify dough characteristics and give quality attributes to bread.
BSF Black Soldier Fly
Caseinate It is a substance produced by adding an alkali to acid casein, a derivative of casein.
Celiac disease Celiac disease is an immune reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.
Colostrum It is a milky fluid that’s released by mammals that have recently given birth before breast milk production begins.
Concentrate It is the least processed form of protein and has a protein content ranging from 40-90% by weight.
Dry protein basis It refers to the percentage of "pure protein" present in a supplement after the water in it is completely removed through heat.
Dry whey It is the product resulting from drying fresh whey which has been pasteurized and to which nothing has been added as a preservative.
Egg protein It is a mixture of individual proteins, including ovalbumin, ovomucoid, ovoglobulin, conalbumin, vitellin, and vitellenin.
Emulsifier It is a food additive that facilitates the blending of foods that are immiscible with one another, such as oil and water.
Enrichment It is the process of addition of micronutrients that are lost during the processing of the product.
ERS Economic Research Service of the USDA
Extrusion It is the process of forcing soft mixed ingredients through an opening in a perforated plate or die designed to produce the required shape. The extruded food is then cut to a specific size by blades.
Fava Also known as Faba, it is another word for yellow split beans.
FDA Food and Drug Administration
Flaking It is a process in which typically a cereal grain (like corn, wheat, or rice) is broken down into grits, cooked with flavors and syrups, and then pressed into flakes between cooled rollers.
Foaming agent It is a food ingredient that makes it possible to form or maintain a uniform dispersion of a gaseous phase in a liquid or solid food.
Foodservice It refers to the part of the food industry which includes businesses, institutions, and companies which prepare meals outside the home. It includes restaurants, school and hospital cafeterias, catering operations, and many other formats.
Fortification It is the deliberate addition of micronutrients that are not found in them naturally or which are lost during processing, to improve a food product's nutritional value.
FSANZ Food Standards Australia New Zealand
FSIS Food Safety and Inspection Service
FSSAI Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
Gelling agent It is an ingredient that functions as a stabilizer and thickener to provide thickening without stiffness through the formation of gel.
GHG Greenhouse Gas
Gluten It is a family of proteins found in grains, including wheat, rye, spelt, and barley.
Hemp It is a botanical class of Cannabis sativa cultivars grown specifically for industrial or medicinal use.
Hydrolysate It is a form of protein manufactured by exposing the protein to enzymes that can partially break the bonds between the protein's amino acids and break down large, complicated proteins into smaller pieces. Its processing makes it easier and quicker to digest.
Hypoallergenic It refers to a substance that causes fewer allergic reactions.
Isolate It is the purest and most processed form of protein which has undergone separation to obtain a pure protein fraction. It typically contains ≥ 90% of protein by weight.
Keratin It is a protein that helps form hair, nails, and the outer layer of skin.
Lactalbumin It is the albumin contained in milk and obtained from whey.
Lactoferrin It is an iron‑binding glycoprotein that is present in the milk of most mammals.
Lupin It is the yellow legume seeds of the genus Lupinus.
Millenial Also known as Generation Y or Gen Y, it refers to the people born from 1981 to 1996.
Monogastric It refers to an animal with a single-compartmented stomach. Examples of monogastric include humans, poultry, pigs, horses, rabbits, dogs, and cats. Most monogastric are generally unable to digest much cellulose food materials such as grasses.
MPC Milk protein concentrate
MPI Milk protein isolate
MSPI Methylated soy protein isolate
Mycoprotein Mycoprotein is a form of single-cell protein, also known as fungal protein, derived from fungi for human consumption.
Nutricosmetics It is a category of products and ingredients that act as nutritional supplements to care for skin, nails, and hair natural beauty.
Osteoporosis It is a medical condition in which the bones become brittle and fragile from loss of tissue, typically as a result of hormonal changes, or deficiency of calcium or vitamin D.
PDCAAS Protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) is a method of evaluating the quality of a protein based on both the amino acid requirements of humans and their ability to digest it.
Per-capita consumption of animal protein It is the average amount of animal protein (such as milk, whey, gelatin, collagen, and egg proteins) that is readily available for consumption by each person in an actual population.
Per-capita consumption of plant protein It is the average amount of plant protein (such as soy, wheat, pea, oat, and hemp proteins) that is readily available for consumption by each person in an actual population.
Quorn It is a microbial protein manufactured using mycoprotein as an ingredient, in which the fungus culture is dried and mixed with egg albumen or potato protein, which acts as a binder, and then is adjusted in texture and pressed into various forms.
Ready-to-Cook (RTC) It refers to food products that include all of the ingredients, where some preparation or cooking is required through a process that is given on the package.
Ready-to-Eat (RTE) It refers to a food product prepared or cooked in advance, with no further cooking or preparation required before being eaten.
RTD Ready-to-Drink
RTS Ready-to-Serve
Saturated fat It is a type of fat in which the fatty acid chains have all single bonds. It is generally considered unhealthy.
Sausage It is a meat product made of finely chopped and seasoned meat, which may be fresh, smoked, or pickled and which is then usually stuffed into a casing.
Seitan It is a plant-based meat substitute made out of wheat gluten.
Softgel It is a gelatin-based capsule with a liquid fill.
SPC Soy protein concentrate
SPI Soy protein isolate
Spirulina It is a biomass of cyanobacteria that can be consumed by humans and animals.
Stabilizer It is an ingredient added to food products to help maintain or enhance their original texture, and physical and chemical characteristics.
Supplementation It is the consumption or provision of concentrated sources of nutrients or other substances that are intended to supplement nutrients in the diet and is intended to correct nutritional deficiencies.
Texturant It is a specific type of food ingredient that is used to control and alter the mouthfeel and texture of food and beverage products.
Thickener It is an ingredient that is used to increase the viscosity of a liquid or dough and make it thicker, without substantially changing its other properties.
Trans fat Also called trans-unsaturated fatty acids or trans fatty acids, it is a type of unsaturated fat that naturally occurs in small amounts in meat.
TSP Textured soy protein
TVP Textured vegetable protein
WPC Whey protein concentrate
WPI Whey protein isolate
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Research Methodology

Mordor Intelligence follows a four-step methodology in all our reports.

  • Step-1: Identify Key Variables: The quantifiable key variables (industry and extraneous) pertaining to the specific product segment and country are selected from a group of relevant variables & factors based on desk research & literature review; along with primary expert inputs. These variables are further confirmed through regression modeling (wherever required).
  • Step-2: Build a Market Model: In order to build a robust forecasting methodology, the variables and factors identified in Step-1 are tested against available historical market numbers. Through an iterative process, the variables required for market forecast are set and the model is built on the basis of these variables.
  • Step-3: Validate and Finalize: In this important step, all market numbers, variables and analyst calls are validated through an extensive network of primary research experts from the market studied. The respondents are selected across levels and functions to generate a holistic picture of the market studied.
  • Step-4: Research Outputs: Syndicated Reports, Custom Consulting Assignments, Databases & Subscription Platforms
research-methodology
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