Insect-based Pet Food Market Size & Insights Report [2033]

Insect-based Pet Food Market Overview

The Insect-based Pet Food Market size was valued at USD 471.08 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1226.71 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 11.22% from 2025 to 2033.

The global insect-based pet food market saw an estimated 54,000 metric tons of insect protein used in pet nutrition in 2023, supporting more than 125 pet food brands worldwide. Europe led production, processing over 28,000 metric tons of insect meal for dogs, cats, and exotic pets. North America contributed about 17,000 metric tons, driven by specialty brands focusing on eco-friendly ingredients. Asia-Pacific accounted for around 6,800 metric tons, as urban pet owners in South Korea and Japan adopted insect-based diets for dogs and cats.

Roughly 72% of insect-based pet food is formulated for dogs, while cat formulas represent 22%, with the remaining 6% used in food for reptiles, birds, and small mammals. Over 8.2 million pet households purchased insect-based products at least once in 2023, with dry food being the dominant format. Black soldier fly larvae remain the top ingredient, making up 68% of insect protein used. Crickets and mealworms follow, covering 27% of formulations. Insect-based treats and supplements made up 19% of all new pet product launches in the sustainable food category. These figures confirm growing consumer acceptance, driven by sustainability and protein diversification in global pet food markets.

Key Findings

DRIVER: Growing sustainability awareness and demand for alternative proteins are driving insect-based pet food demand worldwide.

COUNTRY/REGION: Europe remains the largest region, processing over 28,000 metric tons of insect protein for pets in 2023.

SEGMENT: Dry food is the top segment, representing about 61% of all insect-based pet food products sold.

Insect-based Pet Food Market Trends

The insect-based pet food market is expanding fast as sustainability pressures and alternative protein innovations reshape traditional pet food supply chains. In 2023, over 54,000 metric tons of insect meal were used in dog, cat, and exotic pet diets globally, up from 42,000 metric tons in 2021. Black soldier fly larvae accounted for 68% of total insect protein volume, with crickets at 19% and mealworms at 8%.

Product launches are diversifying. Insect-based dry food held the largest share with 61% of total volume, wet food made up 22%, and treats and supplements combined accounted for 17%. Online retail channels moved roughly 44% of insect-based pet food in 2023, with 3.2 million online orders shipped in Europe alone. Sustainability claims now appear on 91% of insect-based pet products, while packaging is trending towards recyclability, covering 78% of new launches.

Consumer demand is shifting towards hypoallergenic solutions — 36% of insect-based pet food buyers cite digestive health benefits as their main reason for switching from conventional meat. Veterinary clinics stocked about 7,400 metric tons of insect-based formulas last year, targeting pets with food sensitivities. Cat food is the fastest-growing sub-segment, expanding from 16% share in 2020 to 22% in 2023.

Retail shelf space is increasing too. Over 18,000 pet specialty stores in Europe and North America now carry at least one insect-based product. Large supermarket chains in France and Germany stock 7–10 insect protein SKUs on average. Asia-Pacific urban markets like Seoul and Tokyo are catching up, with 680 specialty outlets adding insect-based treats for dogs and cats last year.

Innovation in processing technology is rising. Cold-pressed and gently baked insect kibble made up 12% of new launches in 2023, appealing to owners focused on nutrient retention. Pet food brands are also partnering with insect farms — 34 new supplier agreements were signed in Europe alone last year. These trends show how insect-based pet food is shifting from niche to mainstream, supported by clear sustainability, functional health, and innovative branding angles.

Insect-based Pet Food Market Dynamics

The Insect-based Pet Food Market Dynamics describe the key factors and forces that shape how this industry grows, shifts, and operates. These dynamics explain what drives demand for insect protein in pet food, what limits its adoption, and where new growth areas exist.

DRIVER

Rising consumer demand for sustainable protein

More pet owners are prioritizing sustainable choices, with 72% of insect-based pet food used in dog diets and 22% in cat diets. The switch is motivated by the fact that insects require 80% less land than beef and produce 75% fewer greenhouse gas emissions. In 2023, over 8.2 million households purchased insect-based products at least once. Retailers report that 41% of new customers buy insect pet food to reduce their pets’ environmental footprint. Europe’s push for net-zero emissions has driven 28,000 metric tons of insect protein output for the pet food sector alone.

RESTRAINT

Limited consumer awareness and regulatory complexity

The insect-based pet food market faces adoption barriers due to limited awareness in some regions. About 42% of surveyed pet owners in North America remain unaware of insect protein’s benefits for pets. Regulatory hurdles add complexity: 17 countries still lack clear guidelines for insect-based pet nutrition. In 2023, more than 12,000 metric tons of potential insect protein output was redirected to animal feed instead of pet food due to labeling restrictions. Regulatory delays can extend product approvals by 18 months, slowing new launches and deterring smaller brands.

OPPORTUNITY

Expansion into premium pet health and functional treats

Functional nutrition presents a huge growth opportunity. In 2023, 19% of new insect-based pet food launches included probiotic blends, omega fatty acids, or joint support formulas. Supplements and fortified treats made up 12% of total insect-based pet food sales. Roughly 2.1 million pet owners purchased insect protein dental chews last year. Premium positioning allows brands to command higher margins while catering to pets with allergies or special dietary needs. As more pet parents look for natural, single-protein diets, functional insect-based products can capture wider market share.

CHALLENGE

Higher production costs and limited processing scale

Insect-based pet food production still costs more than traditional meat sources. Black soldier fly protein can cost 2–3 times as much per metric ton as conventional chicken meal. Smaller farms processing under 5,000 metric tons annually struggle with economies of scale. In 2023, only 22 large-scale insect farms produced over 1,000 metric tons each for pet food use. Logistics remain a challenge — cold-chain storage and drying facilities for larvae and crickets increase costs by 18–25% compared to typical meat rendering. These factors keep retail prices 12–18% above conventional premium pet food.

Insect-based Pet Food Segmentation

The insect-based pet food market segments by product type and by application to address varying pet health needs and sales channels. By type, dry food leads with 61%, wet food makes up 22%, and treats and supplements combine for 17% of total volume. By application, usage is split across pet care retail, vet clinics, specialty animal health outlets, and direct-to-consumer online sales, ensuring diversified distribution.

By Type

Dry Food: Dry food dominates with 33,000 metric tons sold in 2023. Over 72% of insect-based dry food formulas feature black soldier fly larvae. Kibble sizes vary for different breeds, with large breed dog products making up 43% of dry food sales. Single-protein insect kibble is preferred by 58% of pet owners switching due to food sensitivities. Bulk bags of 2–8 kg remain standard, accounting for 79% of dry food unit sales globally.
Wet Food: Wet food accounted for 22% of insect-based pet food in 2023, totaling around 11,800 metric tons. Pâté and stews are the most common formats, with cat wet food commanding 53% of this segment. Smaller portion pouches (100–150 g) outsell larger tins, representing 67% of wet food volume. Brands added omega-3 fortification to 39% of insect-based wet foods last year, appealing to health-focused buyers.
Treats: Insect-based treats saw 6,500 metric tons sold in 2023. Dental chews, protein bars, and training treats make up the bulk, with single-ingredient dehydrated snacks gaining popularity. Around 2.1 million households purchased insect-based treats for dogs. Flavors like cricket and mealworm are common in cat treat lines. Nearly 28% of treat SKUs carry functional claims like probiotic benefits or joint care.
Supplements: Supplements are a smaller but growing niche, reaching about 2,700 metric tons in 2023. Common products include insect protein powders and oil-based boosters for mixing with dry or wet food. More than 9% of supplement buyers use these for pets with skin allergies. Specialty vet clinics dispense around 1,000 metric tons annually, mainly for animals with digestive issues or protein intolerances.

By Application

Pet Care: Everyday pet owners buy insect-based food for home feeding, focusing on sustainability and nutrition.
Retail: Supermarkets and pet stores stock insect protein products, selling thousands of metric tons yearly to eco-conscious consumers.
Veterinary: Vet clinics recommend insect-based diets for pets with allergies or digestive issues, dispensing specialized formulas.
Animal Health: Specialty suppliers provide insect-based supplements and functional feeds for breeders, shelters, and niche pet needs.

Regional Outlook for the Insect-based Pet Food

The insect-based pet food market continues to expand globally, with clear regional trends driving adoption.

North America

North America follows with about 17,000 metric tons, driven by specialty brands and an eco-conscious pet owner base. The U.S. leads, with 12,800 metric tons produced, while Canada contributed around 4,200 metric tons last year. Over 1.9 million North American households now include insect-based foods in their pets’ diets.

Europe

Europe remains the largest region, processing over 28,000 metric tons of insect protein for pet food in 2023. France, Germany, and the Netherlands are the biggest markets, accounting for 63% of Europe’s insect-based pet food output.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific accounted for 6,800 metric tons, with South Korea and Japan as early adopters. South Korea alone consumed around 2,400 metric tons in 2023, and Japan’s urban markets bought 1,800 metric tons, mostly treats and hypoallergenic wet food.

Middle East & Africa

Middle East & Africa remain emerging markets with around 1,500 metric tons sold. South Africa leads, producing 1,000 metric tons through local insect farms. Uptake is growing in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where premium retailers introduced insect-based formulas for dogs with digestive sensitivities.

List of Top Insect-based Pet Food Companies

Ynsect (France)
Protix (Netherlands)
Entomo Farms (Canada)
Jimini's (France)
Beta Hatch (USA)
Hexafly (Ireland)
Innovafeed (France)
AgriProtein (South Africa)
All Things Bugs (USA)
Chapul Farms (USA)

Ynsect: Produced over 12,500 metric tons of black soldier fly protein for pet food in 2023, with strong capacity expansion across Europe.

Protix: Processed about 9,600 metric tons for pet brands, supplying over 40% of Europe’s specialty insect-based dry food lines.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Investments in insect-based pet food production continue to rise. In 2023, more than USD 650 million was directed toward expanding insect farms and upgrading processing technology. Ynsect, Protix, and Innovafeed each announced new facilities with combined output capacity for an extra 18,000 metric tons yearly. Over 34 supplier agreements were signed last year between insect farms and pet food manufacturers to guarantee consistent volumes.

Startups raised over USD 140 million in seed funding to build small-scale black soldier fly and cricket farms, especially in Asia-Pacific and Africa. Over 25% of new insect farms planned for 2024 target local pet food supply chains instead of livestock feed.

Retail partnerships are a big opportunity. In Europe, over 18,000 stores now carry insect-based lines, and large supermarket chains aim to double shelf space by 2026. Subscription box models for insect treats grew by 42%, shipping more than 3.5 million units last year.

Investment is also flowing into product innovation. 19% of new product launches included functional claims such as probiotic or omega fortification. Private-label retailers are developing in-house insect pet food SKUs, with 1,200 new private-label insect products expected in the next two years.

New Product Development

Innovation in insect-based pet food accelerated in 2023–2024. Brands introduced over 230 new SKUs globally, including functional treats, hypoallergenic wet meals, and freeze-dried protein toppers. Cold-pressed kibble formats accounted for 12% of launches, offering gentler cooking methods.

About 35% of new launches featured upgraded recyclable or compostable packaging, cutting plastic usage by 38% compared to 2020 levels. Omega and probiotic enrichments were added to 42% of new dry food lines.

Brands also launched cricket and mealworm snack bars for cats, a first for large grocery retailers in Europe. Vet clinics stocked custom protein powders for digestive care, selling about 1,000 metric tons last year.

Five Recent Developments

Ynsect added 6,200 metric tons of new capacity by opening its largest facility in France.
Protix secured deals with 15 EU supermarkets for shelf expansion.
Innovafeed launched its first Asia-Pacific insect protein processing hub.
Beta Hatch raised capital to build a 5,000 metric ton cricket farm in the U.S.
Hexafly scaled operations in Ireland, expanding annual output by 2,800 metric tons.

Report Coverage of Insect-based Pet Food Market

The Report Coverage of the Insect-based Pet Food Market explains exactly what the market study includes — detailing how much insect protein is produced, which product types and applications dominate, and where regional demand is strongest. This coverage gives stakeholders verified figures, such as total metric tons of insect protein used for pet food, key breakdowns by dry food, wet food, treats, and supplements, plus regional data for Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa.

It outlines which leading companies are setting production benchmarks — for example, Ynsect and Protix producing over 22,000 metric tons combined — and highlights new supply chain deals, production capacity expansions, and innovative product formats like cold-pressed kibble and functional treats.

The report coverage also tracks how retailers, vet clinics, and online stores distribute insect-based pet food, showing clear trends in sustainability, packaging, and consumer buying behavior. By combining all these verified facts, the coverage helps brands, investors, and suppliers understand market volumes, trends, competitive shares, investment flows, and new product opportunities within the fast-growing insect-based pet food space.