South East Asia Edible Insect Market by Product (Whole Insect, Insect Powder, Insect Meal), Insect Type (Crickets, Black Soldier Fly, Mealworms, Ants), Application (Animal Feed, Protein Bar & Shakes, Bakery, Confectionery), and Country - Forecast to 2030

The South East Asia Edible Insects Market is slated to register a CAGR of 24.1% from 2024 to 2030 to reach $1.58 Billion by 2030. The growth of the South East Asia edible insects market is mainly attributed to growing greenhouse gas emissions from the livestock and poultry industries, rising demand for insect protein in the animal feed industry, and the growing population and their awareness about the benefits of alternative protein. Furthermore, the rising demand for insect-infused food is expected to create market growth opportunities. However, the psychological and ethical barriers to consuming insects as food, the growing vegan population and the risk of allergies due to insect consumption are expected to hinder the growth of this market to some extent.

Key Players

The report includes a competitive landscape based on an extensive assessment of the key strategic developments by leading market participants in the industry. Some of the key players operating in the South East Asia edible insects market are Ÿnsect (SAS) (France), Protix B.V. (Netherlands), InnovaFeed (France), EnviroFlight, LLC (U.S.), Nutrition Technologies Group (Singapore), Aspire Food Group (U.S.), All Things Bugs LLC (U.S.), Global Bugs Asia Co., Ltd (Thailand), JR Unique Foods (Thailand), Cricket Lab Limited (U.K.), Enorm Biofactory A/S (Denmark), SFly Comgraf SAS (France) and Protenga Pte. Ltd. (Singapore).

Rising Demand for Insect Protein in the Animal Feed Industry

Developing regions, such as South East Asia, are expected to witness exponential growth in their human populations and changes in dietary patterns in tandem with economic growth, leading to a 70% increase in the demand for livestock products by 2050. The prices of livestock products are increasing due to the rising feed costs. Presently, the cost of feed accounts for ~60–70% of the total livestock production costs. Fish and soybean meals are the major protein sources for animal feed. However, these sources compete with food production for humans. Moreover, the availability of fishmeal has become limited due to the over-exploitation of marine resources, causing a rapid increase in the cost of these feed ingredients. Hence, searching for sustainable alternatives has increased interest in using insects as feed ingredients.

Insects have high protein content, and their production has a small footprint. Mass-reared insect species, such as the black soldier fly (BSF), have drawn significant attention mainly due to their ability to feed on different substrates, including organic waste streams. The ability of BSF to convert organic waste into high-quality nutrients has rapidly spurred commercial opportunities such as the development of BSF-based products, such as protein meal, which is cheaper compared to fishmeal or soybean meal and can be used as an alternative source of protein in pig, poultry, and fish feeds. According to the FDA, when soybean and fishmeal were replaced with BSF larvae meal in proportions of 10–56%, broiler quail and chicken meat had a good taste, aroma, and nutritional composition. In addition, BSF meal was also used as fish feed for Nile tilapia (in different proportions), which resulted in similar growth performance and feed conversion.

Therefore, animal feed manufacturers have started incorporating BSF meal into their feed products as an alternative source of protein due to the high growth performance of BSF meal and the rising prices of fishmeal and soya meal, driving the growth of the South East Asia edible insects market.

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Key Findings in the South East Asia Edible Insects Market Study:

In 2024, the Whole Insects Segment to Dominate the South East Asia Edible Insects Market

Based on product, the South East Asia edible insects market is segmented into whole insects, insect powder, insect meal, and insect oil. In 2024, the whole insects segment is expected to account for the largest share of the South East Asia edible insects market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the easy availability of whole insects, the unavailability of insect processing techniques in some South East Asian countries, the increase in the consumption of insect-based foods and the increasing popularity of insect food as an alternative protein source.

However, the insect powder segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The rapid growth of this segment is attributed to the rising number of health clubs & fitness centers serving insect powder, Consumers’ increasing inclination toward fitness & wellness, increasing use of insect powder in different food & beverages, and growing demand for environment-friendly alternative protein sources.

In 2024, the Crickets Segment to Dominate the South East Asia Edible Insects Market

Based on insect type, the South East Asia edible insects market is segmented into crickets, mealworms, black soldier flies, buffalo worms, grasshoppers, ants, silkworms, cicadas, and other edible insects. In 2024, the crickets segment is expected to account for the largest share of the South East Asia Edible Insects Market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to their increasing incorporation into various food recipes and products, rising government support for cricket farming, increasing innovative techniques of manufacturers by launching crickets-based products and the rising demand for cricket-based products.

However, the black soldier fly (BSF) segment is slated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The rapid growth of this segment is attributed to the rising demand for alternative proteins from the animal feed industry due to the rising prices of soy meal, growing aquaculture industry and increasing demand due to high protein content.

In 2024, the Food & Beverages Segment to Dominate the South East Asia Edible Insects Market

Based on application, the South East Asia Edible Insects Market is segmented into food & beverages and feed. In 2024, the food & beverages segment is expected to account for the largest share of the South East Asia edible insects market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to factors such as the rising demand for high-quality alternative protein and amino acid sources among end users, growing food shortage in the region, rising demand for environment-friendly food, and increasing use of insect powder by the food & beverages industry.

In 2024, the Human Consumption Segment to Dominate the South East Asia Edible Insects Market

Based on end use, the South East Asia Edible Insects Market is segmented into human consumption and animal nutrition. In 2024, the human consumption segment is expected to account for the largest share of the South East Asia edible insects market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to factors such as the growing demand for environment-friendly, alternative sources of protein, rising demand for insect-based foods to feed the ever-growing population and the high nutritional value of insects in human nutrition. This segment is also expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Thailand Dominates the South East Asia Edible Insects Market, while Vietnam Leads in Growth

The South East Asia Edible Insects Market is segmented into: Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Rest of South East Asia. In 2024, Thailand is expected to account for the largest share of the South East Asia edible insects market. The large market share of this country is attributed to factors such as consumers’ acceptance of edible insects, numerous edible insect farms, increased use of BSF (Black Soldier Fly) in animal feed, growth of the livestock industry, and rising feed prices.

However, Vietnam is slated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The rapid growth of this region is mainly attributed to the growing demand for edible insects due to food shortages, high availability of raw materials, increasing exports to European countries, rising developments by manufacturers, and increasing consumer acceptance.

Scope of the Report:

South East Asia Edible Insects Market Assessment, by Product

• Whole Insects
• Insect Powder
• Insect Meal
• Insect Oil

South East Asia Edible Insects Market Assessment, by Insect Type

• Crickets
• Black Soldier Fly
• Mealworms
• Buffalo Worms
• Grasshoppers
• Ants
• Silkworms
• Cicada
• Other Edible Insects

South East Asia Edible Insects Market Assessment, by Application

• Food & Beverages
  • Processed Whole Insects
  • Processed Insect Powder
  • Protein Bars & Protein Shakes
  • Baked Products & Snacks
  • Insect Confectioneries
  • Insect Beverages
  • Other Food & Beverage Applications
• Feed
  • Animal Feed
  • Aquaculture Feed
  • Pet Food

South East Asia Edible Insects Market Assessment, by End Use

• Human Consumption  
• Animal Nutrition

South East Asia Edible Insects Market Assessment, by Country

• Thailand
• Vietnam
• Malaysia
• Indonesia
• Singapore
• Rest of South East Asia

Key Questions Answered in the Report: