United Kingdom Whey Protein Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

The United Kingdom Whey Protein Market is Segmented by Form (Concentrates, Hydrolyzed, and Isolates) and by End User (Animal Feed, Personal Care and Cosmetics, Food and Beverages, and Supplements). The Report Offers the Market Size in Value Terms in USD and Volume in Tons for all the Abovementioned Segments.

United Kingdom Whey Protein Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

United Kingdom Whey Protein Market Size

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United Kingdom Whey Protein Market Summary
Study Period 2019 - 2030
Base Year For Estimation 2024
Forecast Data Period 2025 - 2030
Market Size (2025) USD 68.22 Million
Market Size (2030) USD 90.99 Million
CAGR (2025 - 2030) 5.93 %
Market Concentration Low

Major Players

United Kingdom Whey Protein Market Major Players

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Compare market size and growth of United Kingdom Whey Protein Market with other markets in Food & Beverage Industry

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United Kingdom Whey Protein Market Analysis

The United Kingdom Whey Protein Market size is estimated at USD 68.22 million in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 90.99 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 5.93% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

  • The demand for whey protein is growing across the United Kingdom primarily due to the need for ingredients with higher protein concentrations. Both whey protein concentrates and isolates are used across various food industries, such as cheese, yogurts, dairy beverages, bakery, and meat salting industry, sports, health food products, and other applications.
  • Additionally, the increasing dairy production and exports across the region offer lucrative opportunities for whey protein producers by giving them access to raw materials at economical prices and offering the whey protein ingredients at competitive prices to the end-users. According to The Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, the total milk production across the United Kingdom amounted to approximately 14,913 million liters during 2021/22.
  • Protein-rich diets have grown in popularity among consumers across the United Kingdom in recent years as health consciousness has increased. As consumers' lives become busier, they are unable to consume a nutritionally dense, complete diet regularly, prompting them to turn to packaged food products for nutrition. As a result, whey proteins are added to packaged food products to make them more nutritious. Hence, the rising demand for protein-rich diets, the market studied is expected to grow over the forecast period.
  • Besides, whey Protein Isolate (WPI) is gaining popularity among health-conscious United Kingdom consumers as it contains low sugar content when compared with Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC). The new product development possibilities with WPI give the food industry ample opportunities to manufacture high protein product options as its clean taste (no-bitter taste) fulfills the flavor requirement of the consumers.

United Kingdom Whey Protein Industry Overview

The United Kingdom whey protein market is fragmented in nature, with several players operating in the market studied. The most commonly adopted strategies by the major players in the market studied include partnerships, expansions, mergers, and acquisitions. Some of the top players in the market include Arla Foods amba, First Milk Limited, Glanbia PLC, Kerry Group plc, and Royal FrieslandCampina N.V. With increasing health consciousness. Major players adopt strategies to draw consumers' attention by introducing whey protein with clinical claims, such as organic, clean-label, non-GMO certified, etc. The introduction of whey protein with such claims can also help the players operating in the market to strengthen their position in the market studied.

United Kingdom Whey Protein Market Leaders

  1. Arla Foods amba

  2. First Milk Limited

  3. Glanbia PLC

  4. Kerry Group plc

  5. Royal FrieslandCampina N.V

  6. *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
United Kingdom Whey Protein Market Concentration
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United Kingdom Whey Protein Market News

  • November 2022: Arla Foods Ingredients and British dairy cooperative First Milk collaborated to produce a specialist whey protein powder at its Lake District Creamery. First Milk manufactured Nutrilac FO-7875 on behalf of Arla Foods Ingredients. Whey protein concentrate powder, WPC80, will continue to be produced by First Milk and marketed through its current partnership.
  • March 2022: Arla announced a 5-year expansion strategy for the United Kingdom. As a part of the strategy, the company announced its plans to make long-term investments in its United Kingdom supply chain and key sales channels.
  • March 2021: First Milk Limited, a dairy cooperative based in the United Kingdom, announced its plans to invest approximately GBP 12.5 million (USD 17.25 million) for the expansion of its two cheese and whey production facilities in the United Kingdom.

UK Whey Protein Market Report - Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

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

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4. MARKET DYNAMICS

  • 4.1 Market Drivers
    • 4.1.1 Adoption of Sports & Fitness Activities Driving the Market
    • 4.1.2 Rising Demand for Fortified Food & Beverages
  • 4.2 Market Restraints
    • 4.2.1 Prevalence of Lactose Intolerance
  • 4.3 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
    • 4.3.1 Threat of New Entrants
    • 4.3.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
    • 4.3.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
    • 4.3.4 Threat of Substitute Products
    • 4.3.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

5. MARKET SEGMENTATION

  • 5.1 Form
    • 5.1.1 Concentrates
    • 5.1.2 Hydrolyzed
    • 5.1.3 Isolates
  • 5.2 End User
    • 5.2.1 Animal Feed
    • 5.2.2 Personal Care and Cosmetics
    • 5.2.3 Food and Beverages
    • 5.2.3.1 Bakery
    • 5.2.3.2 Beverages
    • 5.2.3.3 Breakfast Cereals
    • 5.2.3.4 Condiments/Sauces
    • 5.2.3.5 Dairy and Dairy Alternative Products
    • 5.2.3.6 RTE/RTC Food Products
    • 5.2.3.7 Snacks
    • 5.2.4 Supplements
    • 5.2.4.1 Baby Food and Infant Formula
    • 5.2.4.2 Elderly Nutrition and Medical Nutrition
    • 5.2.4.3 Sport/Performance Nutrition

6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

  • 6.1 Strategies Adopted by Leading Players
  • 6.2 Market Share Analysis
  • 6.3 Company Profiles
    • 6.3.1 Arla Foods amba
    • 6.3.2 Carbery Food Ingredients Limited
    • 6.3.3 Glanbia PLC
    • 6.3.4 First Milk Limited
    • 6.3.5 Groupe Lactalis
    • 6.3.6 Kerry Group plc
    • 6.3.7 Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd.
    • 6.3.8 Royal FrieslandCampina N.V
    • 6.3.9 Volac International Limited
    • 6.3.10 Lactoprot Deutschland GmbH
  • *List Not Exhaustive

7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS

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United Kingdom Whey Protein Industry Segmentation

Whey is the liquid that remains after curdling and straining of milk, and whey protein is the protein made from this component.

The United Kingdom whey protein market is segmented by form and end user. On the basis of form, the market is segmented into concentrates, hydrolyzed, and isolates. By end user, the market is segmented into animal feed, personal care and cosmetics, food and beverages, and supplements. The food and beverages segment among the end users is further segmented into bakery, beverages, breakfast cereals, condiments/sauces, dairy & dairy alternatives, ready-to-eat & ready-to-cook foods, and snacks. Similarly, supplements are further sub-segmented into baby food & infant formula, elderly nutrition & medical nutrition, and sports/performance nutrition.

The market sizing has been done in value terms in USD and for volume terms in volume in tons for all the abovementioned segments.

Form Concentrates
Hydrolyzed
Isolates
End User Animal Feed
Personal Care and Cosmetics
Food and Beverages Bakery
Beverages
Breakfast Cereals
Condiments/Sauces
Dairy and Dairy Alternative Products
RTE/RTC Food Products
Snacks
Supplements Baby Food and Infant Formula
Elderly Nutrition and Medical Nutrition
Sport/Performance Nutrition
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UK Whey Protein Market Research FAQs

How big is the United Kingdom Whey Protein Market?

The United Kingdom Whey Protein Market size is expected to reach USD 68.22 million in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 5.93% to reach USD 90.99 million by 2030.

What is the current United Kingdom Whey Protein Market size?

In 2025, the United Kingdom Whey Protein Market size is expected to reach USD 68.22 million.

Who are the key players in United Kingdom Whey Protein Market?

Arla Foods amba, First Milk Limited, Glanbia PLC, Kerry Group plc and Royal FrieslandCampina N.V are the major companies operating in the United Kingdom Whey Protein Market.

What years does this United Kingdom Whey Protein Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?

In 2024, the United Kingdom Whey Protein Market size was estimated at USD 64.17 million. The report covers the United Kingdom Whey Protein Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the United Kingdom Whey Protein Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.

United Kingdom Whey Protein Industry Report

Statistics for the 2025 United Kingdom Whey Protein market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. United Kingdom Whey Protein analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.