Egg Replacers Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Type (Dairy Protein, Starch, Soy based Products), Source (Plant, Animal, Algae), Form, Function (Binding), Application (Bakery & Confectionery, Sauces and Dressings) - Global Forecast to 2031

The Egg Replacers Market was valued at $1.25 billion in 2023. This market is expected to reach $2.27 billion by 2031 from an estimated $1.34 billion in 2024, at a CAGR of 7.8% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2031.

Egg Replacers Market Size & Forecast

The growth of this market is driven by the increasing adoption of plant-based and vegan diets, rising food allergies and intolerances, and growing demand for clean labels and natural ingredients. Moreover, growing interest in egg replacers to develop various food products and emerging economies such as Asia-Pacific and Latin America are expected to create growth opportunities for the stakeholders operating in this market. Furthermore, growth in alternative proteins is a prominent trend in the egg replacers market.

Key Findings

• By Type: In 2024, the Dairy Protein Segment is Expected to Dominate the Egg Replacers Market
• By Source: In 2024, the Plant Segment is Expected to Dominate the Egg Replacers Market
• By Form: In 2024, the Dry Segment is Expected to Dominate the Egg Replacers Market
• By Function: In 2024, the Binding Segment is Expected to Dominate the Egg Replacers Market
• By Application: In 2024, the Bakery & Confectionery Segment is Expected to Account for the Largest Share of the Egg Replacers Market
• By Geography: North America Dominates the Egg Replacers Market in 2024

Egg Replacers Market Growth Drivers

Increasing Adoption of Plant-based and Vegan Diets

There is increasing consumer awareness regarding the health benefits of plant-based and vegan diets, bolstered by rising concerns regarding animal-based foods and the adoption of sustainable and healthier lifestyles. The gaining popularity of vegan and plant-based diets is leading to a surge in demand for egg replacers.

Nowadays, many consumers are looking for plant-based foods to lower their cholesterol and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Egg replacers are relatively healthier alternatives in that they provide related functional benefits without cholesterol or high saturated fat content. Ingredients such as chickpea flour, mung bean protein, soy, and flaxseeds are utilized to create egg alternatives that mimic the texture, binding, leavening, and emulsifying properties of traditional eggs. According to Veganuary, in 2022, 629,000 people globally signed up for Veganuary, an annual challenge run by a U.K. nonprofit organization that promotes and educates about veganism by encouraging people to follow a vegan lifestyle for the month of January. Such growth indicates increasing consumer appeal towards exploring and committing to plant-based eating habits.

Consumer preference evolution is driving innovation in the food and beverage industry, with manufacturers globally adapting this evolution by reformulating a formulation of using plant-based ingredients, creating new product categories, and modifying existing ones. It has led to the production of an increasingly broader variety of egg replacers to cater to the diverse needs of consumer bases, such as vegan-friendly bakery goods and allergen-free processed foods. With food demand expected to rise due to these evolving eating behaviors, the adoption of plant-based egg replacers is likely to grow accordingly, driving the market growth.

Rising Food Allergies and Intolerances

Food allergies, particularly to eggs, impact a significant segment of the population, leading to a heightened demand for allergen-free products. Due to this, consumers are actively seeking egg replacers that can mimic the functional properties of eggs without causing allergic reactions. The popularity of egg substitutes in cakes, cookies, and other baked goods appears to be a significant challenge for the bakery industry.

There is also rising consumer education regarding food allergies, and intolerance has also played a crucial role in this market's expansion. With an increasing awareness of health hazards from traditional egg consumption, more individuals shift toward safe alternatives, which are egg replacers. This trend aligns with a broader movement towards clean-label products that emphasize transparency and health benefits. Most of the clean-label egg replacers use ingredients that are commonly found and accepted as naturally occurring, such as chickpea flour, chia seeds, and flaxseeds, appealing to allergen-free and clean-label product seekers.

Therefore, the rising incidence of food allergies and intolerances is significantly influencing consumer preferences towards egg replacers.

Egg Replacers Market Trends

Growth in Alternative Proteins

In response to the rising demand for clean-label, vegan, and environmentally friendly foods, demand is also growing for alternative proteins. Millennials are pushing this shift due to increasing flexitarian and meat-free diets that are caused by health, sustainability, and ethical reasons. Food manufacturers are getting innovative in response to changing tastes, experimenting with new formulations that incorporate alternative proteins to be introduced in the market. The past few years have seen a surge in investment in this space, with high-profile names, financial backers, and companies getting on board. According to the Good Food Institute, the alternative protein industry received USD 2.9 billion investment in 2024. In the same year, plant-based meat, egg, and dairy companies received USD 1.9 billion in investments, a significant surge over USD 693 million raised in 2019. The trend is probably going to continue since it is appearing as a reliable, scalable approach to replacing traditional ingredients, including eggs.

Egg Replacers Market Analysis: Top Market Opportunity

By Type: The Dairy Protein Segment to Dominate the Egg Replacers Market in 2024

Based on type, the egg replacers market is segmented into dairy protein, starch, algal flour, soy-based products, and others. In 2024, the dairy protein segment is expected to account for the largest share of the egg replacers market. This segment’s large market share is primarily due to the presence of large number of dairy protein providers, easy availability, familiar with consumers, increasing awareness regarding the benefits of dairy protein, and functional properties and nutritional benefits of dairy protein. Dairy protein can replicate the texture, taste, and functionality of traditional eggs in various food applications. They provide essential binding and emulsifying capabilities, suitable for food manufacturers looking to develop egg-free products without compromising on texture or flavor. Additionally, dairy proteins such as whey and casein are familiar to consumers and offer a nutritional profile rich in protein, contributing to their widespread acceptance.

However, the algal flour segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period of 2024–2031. The high growth of this segment is mainly driven by the rising popularity of algae-sourced products, increasing algae production, government support for algae industry, and growing consumer interest in sustainable and nutrient-rich alternatives and their functional properties. Algal flour is rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats, appealing to the growing market of health-conscious, vegan, and environmentally aware consumers.

Geographical Analysis

North America Dominates the Egg Replacers Market

Based on geography, the egg replacers market is majorly segmented into five regions: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. In 2024, North America is expected to account for the largest share of the egg replacers market, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific. North America's significant market share can be attributed to several key factors, such as the growing acceptance of non-traditional ingredients, increasing availability of egg-free products, rising health consciousness among consumers, increasing product innovations, and a well-established food & beverage industry that supports innovation in plant-based and allergen-free foods. Additionally, the growing food allergy concerns, increasing demand for natural ingredients, and significant investments in alternative proteins are expected to support the growth of this region.

However, Asia-Pacific is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period of 2024–2031. The fast growth of this region is mainly driven by increasing disposable incomes; a surge in vegan and flexitarian lifestyles, particularly among younger consumers; growing awareness of food allergies and intolerances; and a shift in dietary preferences towards healthier and more sustainable options. The increasing urbanization and the growing food & beverage sector are expected to boost the demand for egg replacers in this region.

Key Companies

The report offers a competitive analysis based on an extensive assessment of the leading players’ product portfolios, geographic presence, and key growth strategies adopted in the last three to four years. Some of the key players operating in the egg replacers market are Cargill, Incorporated (U.S.), Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (U.S.), Ingredion Incorporated (U.S.), Tate & Lyle Plc (U.K.), Arla Foods Ingredients Group P/S (Denmark), Corbion NV (Netherlands), Puratos NV/SA (Belgium), MGP Processing, Inc. (U.S.), Glanbia plc (Ireland), Nutricia Limited (Netherlands), DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (U.S.), Kerry Group plc (Ireland), Fiberstar, Inc. (U.S.), J&K Ingredients, Inc. (U.S.), and Crespel & Deiters GmbH & Co. KG (Germany).

Egg Replacers Industry Overview: Latest Developments from Key Industry Players

• In October 2024, Burcon NutraScience Corporation (Canada) launched Puratein canola protein isolate for baked goods. This product provides food manufacturers with a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to eggs.
• In December 2023, Crespel & Deiters GmbH & Co. KG (Germany) launched Lory Stab, a vegan wheat-based product that replicates the technological properties of eggs or milk in bakery products.
• In June 2023, Ardent Mills, LLC (U.S.) launched Ardent Mills Egg Replacer for bakery applications. It can be used to replace up to 100% of eggs and can lower the ingredient costs while helping to maintain taste, functionality, and performance.

Egg Replacers Market Research Summary

Key questions answered in the report: