Edible Insects? Tyson Foods, One Of The Largest Meat Producers, Is Investing In Insect Protein, A Sustainable Solution For Food Security And Growing Global Market
In recent years, the world has witnessed a growing interest in the consumption of edible insects, not only for their nutritional benefits but also for their potential to address critical global challenges. Possibly, insects may not find a place on your menu yet; however, the remarkable surge in statistics surrounding the edible insect market, the myriad advantages of entomophagy, and the market's growth are enough indicators of the vital role that edible insects can play in addressing food security issues amid the potential challenges and calls for greater awareness and regulation in this emerging sector.
Tyson Foods, a prominent American meat producer known for beef, pork, and chicken, is venturing into the realm of insect-derived protein (edible insects), as the company announced on Tuesday that it has made an investment in Protix, a Dutch firm specializing in insect-based ingredients.
Tyson not only secured a minority stake in Protix but is also collaborating with them to establish a factory in the United States; the facility will harness animal waste as a resource to nourish black soldier flies, which will then be transformed into animal food, serving pets, poultry, and fish; however, the financial details of the partnership have not been disclosed.
It’s essential to note that, for the time being, these flies are not intended for human consumption. John R. Tyson, the Chief Financial Officer of Tyson Foods, emphasized, “Today, we’re focused on more of an ingredient application with insect protein than we are a consumer application.”
Insect protein, recognized for its sustainability, has not yet gained widespread acceptance in human diets; however, there has been a growing interest in using insects as ingredients in animal food in recent years.
A 2021 report from Rabobank projected that the demand for insect protein, primarily as an ingredient in animal feed and pet food, could reach half a million metric tons by 2030, compared to the current market size of approximately 10,000 metric tons; that year, Mars introduced a line of cat food containing insect-based ingredients, called LoveBug.
While Tyson, headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, doesn’t manufacture pet food, it supplies its animal byproducts for use in the pet food and aquaculture sectors, which provides sustenance for fish, as explained by the CFO.
Utilizing byproducts such as animal fats, hides, and inedible proteins can help mitigate waste that might otherwise end up in landfills; in this context, Tyson can redirect the stomach contents of the cattle it processes to a Protix facility, where these contents become food for insects.
Thus, for Tyson, expanding the market for such waste not only reduces waste but also generates additional revenue.
John R. Tyson stated, “One feature of being in the animal protein business is having to figure out how to derive value from waste. We saw this as an extension of our existing business.” He emphasized that the insect ingredient market exhibits “really attractive growth characteristics that would accelerate Tyson.”
The market for insect ingredients is rapidly expanding, noted Christine Johanna Picard, a professor of biology at the Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis School of Science; she highlighted the influx of startups into the sector due to the surging demand for insect protein.
For Protix, partnering with Tyson represents a significant opportunity to scale up; Kees Aarts, the CEO of Protix, stressed the importance of such collaborations in taking solutions like theirs to a global stage.
Insects offer a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional livestock, which places a substantial burden on the planet in terms of land, water, and energy required to cultivate feed for livestock.
Thus, using insects to create food can help mitigate this environmental footprint since insects occupy less space and thrive on waste that would otherwise be discarded.
The black soldier fly, in particular, stands out for its ability to thrive on a wide range of food waste and byproducts, making it an effective waste manager.
Reza Ovissipour, an assistant professor in sustainable food systems at Texas A&M University, noted that insects can help alleviate the environmental pressure exerted by cattle and other livestock.
Insects convert waste from various animals into specific protein or fat products, which can then be efficiently integrated into animal diets; hence, in essence, insects serve as cost-effective and sustainable “mini bioreactors,” requiring minimal energy input.
Statistics
The global edible insects market has exhibited significant growth, achieving a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 34.0% in the historical period.
In 2023, the market’s value reached US$ 18,195.5 million. Forecasts indicate that it will expand to US$ 9.76 billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 27.32% between 2023 and 2031.
The global insect protein market recorded a value of US$ 153.92 million in 2021. Projections indicate that this market will reach US$ 856.08 million by 2029, accompanied by a CAGR of 24.1%.
Edible insects are rich in essential vitamins, proteins, and amino acids. They often contain higher levels of micronutrients like zinc, iron, and calcium.
Insect meat production presents a potential solution to reducing land use associated with livestock production; however, the rapid growth of the vegan population is expected to impede the market’s growth.
Benefits of Entomophagy
The consumption of insects (entomophagy) has gained global attention for its health, environmental, and economic advantages, as addressing environmentally sustainable food security is currently a paramount global challenge.
Entomophagy offers benefits such as efficient feed conversion by insects and their rearing on organic byproducts, thereby adding value to waste and reducing environmental contamination.
As compared to traditional livestock, insects emit fewer greenhouse gases and less ammonia, requiring significantly less land and water; the nutritional quality of edible insects appears to be on par with or superior to foods derived from birds and mammals.
Insect farming has the potential to offer a sustainable approach to food production, given the calorie density and high nutritional value of edible insects; this could hold the promise of alleviating global famine.
However, consumer acceptance remains a significant challenge in the Western world regarding the adoption of insects as a food source.
Market Growth and Challenges
The Edible Insects Market is anticipated to reach a value of $16.39 billion by 2032, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 29% during the forecast period of 2023–2032.
The growth is driven by factors such as increasing greenhouse gas emissions from the livestock and poultry industries, the nutritional value of insects, their environmental benefits, the rising demand for insect protein in the animal feed industry, and a low risk of transmitting zoonotic diseases through the consumption of edible insects.
Nevertheless, challenges include the absence of a standardized regulatory framework, psychological and ethical barriers to consuming insects as food, and the risk of allergies linked to insect consumption.
Emerging economies offer substantial growth opportunities for market players, but the lack of awareness regarding the benefits of insect consumption remains a major hurdle.
Food Security
This situation is expected to widen the food security gap between higher and lower-income countries, with adverse effects such as malnutrition and poverty, particularly in low-income nations.
Food security hinges on food being available, affordable, evenly distributed, and safe to consume; the rising cost of animal protein, driven in part by adverse climatic conditions, contributes to food shortages and undernutrition in several countries.
In this context, edible insects are considered a valuable food source, capable of providing protein, vitamins, and minerals essential for human health; thus, insect production sectors could offer a policy solution to food insecurity.
Most edible insects are currently sourced from the wild, but there is a need to shift towards cottage-scale or large-scale industrial production to prevent overexploitation of wild insect populations.
The production of insects on an industrial scale is a relatively new concept, but with the potential for enhancing food security, automation processes are needed to make insect production economically competitive with traditional livestock.
The rearing of insects, including common housefly larvae, silkworms, yellow mealworms, and black soldier flies, is viewed as promising for industrial-scale production.
Entomophagy, or insect consumption, has the potential to address global food insecurity in terms of both quantity and quality; future studies are required to confirm the socio-economic benefits of insect farming, with a focus on enhancing food security, especially for disadvantaged populations.
Further research is needed on the biology, ecology, habitat conservation, dietary requirements, and control of rearing conditions for edible insect species.
Legal frameworks and regulations governing insects as a source of human nutrition are essential to encourage investment, production, and trade in edible insects and their products.
Key Players
Prominent companies operating in the edible insects market include Ÿnsect (SAS), Protix B.V., Innovafeed SAS, EnviroFlight, LLC, Nutrition Technologies Group, Entomo Farms, Hargol FoodTech, Aspire Food Group, All Things Bugs LLC, Beta Hatch, EntoCube OY, Armstrong Crickets Georgia, Global Bugs Asia Co., Ltd, JR Unique Foods, BIOFLYTECH S.L., TEBRIO, nextProtein SA, Enorm Biofactory A/S, Hexafly, HiProMine S.A., SFly Comgraf SAS, and Protenga Pte. Ltd.
The Last Bit,
Edible insects represent a remarkable opportunity for addressing pressing global issues, from food security to environmental sustainability.
The statistics speak to the burgeoning market, with exceptional growth rates and potential worth in billions of dollars.
However, challenges such as consumer acceptance, regulatory frameworks, and allergy concerns need to be thoughtfully navigated.
With the world’s population on the rise and arable land diminishing, edible insects offer a sustainable and nutritious solution; the incorporation of insect-based protein in our diets, the reduction of waste, and the potential for economic growth signal a promising future for the edible insect industry.
With several companies now exploring this untapped resource and working towards greater awareness and regulation, they hope to unlock the vast potential of edible insects in transforming global food security and the food industry.
