Europe Commodity Proteins Market Analysis by Type (Soy protein meal, Fish meal, Meat and bone meal, Poultry by-product meal) and Applications (Pet and Aquatic food): Production (Million Tons), Consumption (Million Tons), Pricing Analysis (USD/Tons), Trends and Forecast Till 2030

Market Overview

Europe commodity proteins market recorded a volume of 5.96 million tons and is estimated to reach a volume of 9.15 million tons by 2030 with a CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period.

The European proteins market is experiencing significant growth, fueled by the rising incorporation of proteins into functional foods, dietary supplements, and infant formulas. A health-conscious consumer base throughout Europe is increasingly seeking products that offer not just basic nutrition but also additional functional benefits such as improved muscle recovery, enhanced immunity, weight management, and overall wellness. This trend is particularly strong in Western European countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands, where higher disposable incomes, urban lifestyles, and a growing awareness of fitness have generated robust demand for protein-enriched products.

Functional foods fortified with proteins are gaining traction among adults and seniors, who are looking for convenient dietary solutions that address specific health concerns, including cardiovascular health, digestive wellness, and metabolic support. Mainstream offerings now include protein-enriched beverages, dairy alternatives, breakfast cereals, snack bars, and ready-to-eat meals that combine taste with nutritional benefits.

Dietary supplements also represent a significant channel for protein consumption within Europe. As more consumers engage in sports and fitness activities, protein powders, shakes, and capsules are increasingly being integrated into their daily routines to aid muscle growth, recovery, and performance. Sports nutrition brands and specialized supplement manufacturers are tapping into high-quality protein sources, such as whey, egg, milk, and plant-based options like pea, soy, and rice, to serve both omnivorous and vegetarian consumers. Additionally, the rising trend toward personalized nutrition solutions is prompting product diversification, with protein supplements being tailored for specific age groups, fitness levels, and health objectives.

Infant formulas represent a crucial segment propelling protein demand in Europe. With growing awareness of early childhood nutrition, parents are increasingly opting for formulas enriched with high-quality proteins that support growth, cognitive development, and immune health. The use of dairy-derived proteins, hydrolyzed proteins, and specialized protein blends aims to replicate the nutritional profile of breast milk while addressing concerns such as allergies, lactose intolerance, and digestive sensitivity. Regulatory oversight from authorities like the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) ensures that protein content in infant formulas adheres to stringent safety and nutritional standards, thereby enhancing consumer trust and promoting widespread adoption.

Pricing Analysis

The Europe commodity proteins market is characterized by a diverse range of products, including soy protein isolate, fish meal, meat and bone meal, and poultry by-product meal, serving various applications in animal feed, aquaculture, and the food industry. Price trends over the past decade have demonstrated both volatility and gradual moderation, influenced by factors such as raw material availability, production costs, regulatory oversight, and demand fluctuations across Europe.

Soy protein isolate, a significant plant-based protein, observed a decline in price from USD 1.70/kg in 2020 to an expected USD 1.20/kg by 2030. This decrease is primarily driven by enhanced production efficiencies, expanded soy cultivation in Europe and imports from South America, and the increasing adoption of alternative plant proteins in feed and functional food applications. The lower cost of soy protein also boosts its competitiveness as an economically viable ingredient for both animal nutrition and human dietary uses.

Fish meal, an essential protein source in aquaculture and livestock feed, has shown moderate price fluctuations, peaking at approximately USD 1.87/kg in 2024 before a projected decline to USD 1.30/kg by 2030. The variability in prices is influenced by restricted global fish catch quotas, sustainable fishing regulations, and the seasonal availability of raw materials. Demand for fish meal remains stable in European aquaculture, particularly for salmon and trout farming, despite the growing popularity of sustainable alternatives such as plant-based and insect proteins.

Meat and bone meal, traditionally a cost-effective protein source, is anticipated to gradually decline in price from USD 0.50/kg in 2020 to a projected USD 0.38/kg by 2030. This trend is attributed to stricter EU regulations on animal by-products, competition from plant-based proteins, and changing consumer preferences towards sustainably sourced feed. Despite experiencing a reduced market share, meat and bone meal continues to be relevant in specific livestock feed formulations due to its high protein and mineral content.

Poultry by-product meal has maintained a relatively stable pricing trajectory, increasing modestly from USD 0.89/kg in 2020 to USD 1.08/kg by 2030. This stability is underpinned by steady demand for poultry feed and the processing of poultry residues from meat production. Enhanced efficiency in rendering processes and improved supply chain management have also contributed to moderate pricing.

Overall, the Europe commodity proteins market is shaped by a balance of supply and demand dynamics, regulatory constraints, and technological advancements in production and processing. While plant-based proteins such as soy isolate are benefiting from cost reductions and growing integration into human and animal nutrition, animal-derived proteins are experiencing pricing pressures due to regulatory restrictions and sustainability considerations. The future direction of the market will likely be influenced by evolving dietary trends, technological innovations in protein extraction, and a heightened focus on sustainability and alternative protein sources, ensuring both resilience and transformation within the European protein landscape.

Market Dynamics

The European commodity proteins market is experiencing notable growth, primarily fueled by the rising incorporation of proteins into functional foods, dietary supplements, and infant formulas. Manufacturers are leveraging proteins sourced from commodities such as soy, milk, egg, fish, meat, and poultry by-products to enhance nutritional value and address evolving consumer demands for health and wellness. The functional foods segment has emerged as a significant area of focus, with companies fortifying everyday products like beverages, bakery items, snacks, and dairy alternatives with protein to provide health benefits that extend beyond basic nutrition. 

 
European consumers are increasingly seeking foods that support muscle maintenance, weight management, immune function, and digestive health, resulting in a surge in protein-enriched formulations. The versatility of commodity proteins is essential for improving texture, emulsification, foaming, and nutritional profiles across a wide range of functional food applications, making them critical for manufacturers aiming to balance taste and health considerations.

Another major contributor to protein consumption in Europe is the dietary supplements sector. With the growing awareness of fitness, a rising number of consumers are opting for protein powders, ready-to-drink shakes, and capsules to support muscle growth, recovery, and overall physical performance. Whey and milk proteins remain highly favored due to their superior biological value and digestibility, while soy protein and other plant-based alternatives are gaining traction among vegetarians and vegans. The market is also seeing the introduction of hybrid formulations that combine animal and plant proteins to optimize amino acid profiles, cater to health-conscious consumers, and enhance functional properties in supplement products. Furthermore, regulatory frameworks in Europe, including guidelines from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), ensure the safety and efficacy of protein-enriched dietary supplements, thereby enhancing consumer confidence and adoption.

Infant formulas constitute a vital segment of the European commodity proteins market, with an increasing focus on high-quality protein sources that support early growth, cognitive development, and immune system maturation. Dairy proteins such as whey and casein are widely utilized, accompanied by hydrolyzed proteins that improve digestibility and minimize allergenicity. 
Soy protein is also integrated into specialized formulas for infants with lactose intolerance or milk protein allergies. The heightened emphasis on functional infant nutrition has prompted manufacturers to create formulas enriched with bioactive peptides, fortified amino acids, and balanced protein blends that closely mimic breast milk, meeting both nutritional and developmental needs. The rising awareness among European parents regarding the significance of early nutrition, combined with increased disposable incomes and urbanization, is driving sustained demand for protein-fortified infant formulas.

Overall, the European commodity proteins market is benefiting from the growing adoption of proteins in functional foods, dietary supplements, and infant formulas. This trend is bolstered by consumers' heightened health consciousness, rising engagement in sports and fitness, and technological advancements facilitating efficient protein extraction, processing, and fortification. As European consumers continue to prioritize health, wellness, and nutritional quality in their diets, the demand for commodity proteins across various functional applications is projected to grow steadily, presenting significant opportunities for manufacturers to innovate, diversify their product portfolios, and enhance their market presence across the region.

Country Analysis

Major countries analyzed within the Europe commodity proteins market are: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Netherlands, Ireland, Poland, Romania, and Rest of Europe.

 
The European commodity protein market, particularly within the meat and bone meal (MBM) segment, has demonstrated a mixed growth pattern over the past decade, shaped by fluctuating demand, regulatory oversight, and evolving consumer preferences across major European countries. MBM is recognized as a vital protein source in animal feed formulations due to its high protein and mineral content, particularly for livestock and aquaculture applications. 

Historically, significant consumption of MBM has occurred in countries such as Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and the UK, which benefit from well-established livestock farming, poultry production, and feed manufacturing industries. Current projections estimate the market value of MBM in Germany will reach USD 0.357 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9% from 2025. In Spain, the CAGR is even higher at 5.5%, reflecting strong demand for poultry and livestock feed in that region.

Despite its nutritional benefits, MBM grapples with challenges affecting market growth in Europe. Regulatory restrictions imposed by the European Union on the use of animal by-products, particularly after the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) outbreak, have constrained its application in certain feed scenarios and necessitated strict compliance standards. As a result, feed manufacturers have diversified their protein sources, increasingly incorporating alternatives such as soy protein, fish meal, and plant-based proteins, which are often viewed as safer or more sustainable.

Market data indicates that while major Western European countries like Germany, France, and the UK maintain steady growth, Central and Eastern European nations such as Poland and Romania exhibit more modest growth, with CAGRs of 0.4% and 1.0% respectively, attributed to lower livestock densities and a slower uptake of MBM in feed formulations.

Opportunities within the MBM market are primarily driven by the rising demand for cost-effective, high-protein feed solutions amid increasing animal husbandry and aquaculture activities. In countries like Spain, 
Italy, and Germany, producers are leveraging MBM to enhance feed formulations while striking a balance between protein quality and pricing. Innovations in rendering processes and production efficiency have also improved the safety and nutritional quality of MBM, fostering greater acceptance in feed applications. Meanwhile, smaller markets in Eastern Europe, although growing at a slower pace, are observing gradual adoption as livestock production modernizes and regulatory frameworks become more streamlined.

Overall, the European MBM market is marked by a steady but cautious growth trajectory. Western European countries continue to lead the market due to their established livestock and feed industries, while regulatory compliance and shifting consumer preferences influence demand patterns. As the European feed industry pursues sustainable, high-quality, and cost-efficient protein sources, MBM remains a critical component within the commodity protein landscape, complemented by alternative proteins to address diverse nutritional requirements.

Company Analysis

Major companies operating within the Europe commodity proteins market are: ADM Animal Nutrition, Alltech, Biomar Group, Cargill Animal Nutrition, Evonik Industries AG, Nutreco, Purina Pet Care, Unibio, Zeigler and others.