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Africa Protein Market Size

The Africa Protein Market is experiencing growth, with plant proteins leading in market share due to increasing consumer awareness of sustainability and the influence of social media on dietary choices. The market's expansion is driven by the rising popularity of plant-based diets, particularly in countries like Nigeria and Kenya, where veganism is on the rise. While plant proteins dominate, animal proteins also hold a significant presence, especially in the animal feed sector. The market's dynamics are further shaped by factors such as rising disposable incomes and the growing acceptance of protein-rich products that blend food and medicinal benefits.

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Market Size of africa protein Industry

Africa Protein Market Summary
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svg icon Study Period 2017 - 2029
svg icon Market Size (2024) USD 2.12 Billion
svg icon Market Size (2029) USD 2.64 Billion
svg icon Largest Share by End User Food and Beverages
svg icon CAGR (2024 - 2029) 4.46 %
svg icon Largest Share by Country Nigeria
svg icon Market Concentration Low

Major Players
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*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Key Players

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Africa Protein Market Analysis

The Africa Protein Market size is estimated at 2.12 billion USD in 2024, and is expected to reach 2.64 billion USD by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 4.46% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

2.12 Billion

Market Size in 2024 (USD)

2.64 Billion

Market Size in 2029 (USD)

4.25 %

CAGR (2017-2023)

4.46 %

CAGR (2024-2029)

Largest Market by Source

63.61 %

value share, Plant, 2023

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The animal feed and F&B industries drove the plant protein segment in the region. Soy protein remained the most favored type due to its low cost and excellent quality.

Largest Market by End User

64.46 %

value share, Food and Beverages, 2023

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The higher supply of plant proteins like rice, pea, and wheat proteins that can mimic meat texture, together with protein fortification, is catering to the segment.

Fastest growing Market by Source

4.58 %

Projected CAGR, Plant, 2024-2029

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The fastest growth of plant proteins is aided by the growth of the F&B industry, mainly bakery and snacks. Pea protein remained the region's fastest-growing plant protein.

Fastest growing Market by End User

5.86 %

Projected CAGR, Personal Care and Cosmetics, 2024-2029

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The rise in demand for natural ingredients and protein-enriched skin, body, and hair care products drives the segment. The segment is projected to attain the fastest growth.

Leading Market Player

2.78 %

market share, Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited, 2021

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The company has prioritized product innovation as a growth strategy to further strengthen its market position, focusing on the current market trends such as healthy snacking.

Sustainable alternative protein sources are boosting the market demand with application mostly through food and beverages sector

  • Plant proteins accounted for the highest end-user application share (84.72%) in the African protein market. Consumer awareness of global issues such as climate change and the unsustainability of animal husbandry is growing. Furthermore, the influence of various celebrities on social media is making plant-based diets popular among the general public. Kenya and Nigeria, for example, were among the top 10 countries in the world in terms of growth in their vegetarian populations between 2016 and 2017. Since consumers are actively choosing food and beverages that blur the lines between groceries and medicine, the nutritional quantity of protein in products is increasing. Sales of meat substitutes and milk substitutes are increasing in tandem.
  • The animal feed segment accounts for the highest share of 51.29% in plant protein applications in the market studied. The segment makes significant use of plant protein, mainly soy and wheat proteins, due to their low cost-in-use, excellent digestibility, and neutral flavor profile. The production animal can function at its highest zootechnical level due to the utilization of novel plant protein sources, such as hydrolyzed plant proteins. The personal care and cosmetics segment observed the highest growth over the study period, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.12% by volume. Pea protein is the major contributor to this growth because it reduces TEWL and increases skin water content. 
  • Plant protein is followed by animal protein application. By application, the F&B sector was the leading end-use segment for animal protein in the region in 2022. The bakery and snacks sub-segments accounted for the highest shares in the F&B segment, with 27.14% and 23.58%, respectively, in 2022.
Africa Protein Market

With rising popularity of plant proteins among Nigerians, the country witnessed the second largest market contribution to the African protein market

  • By country, Nigeria registered its dominance in the African protein market, followed by South Africa, in 2022, owing to the rise in veganism among the Nigerian population. Plant proteins are popular in Nigeria, especially soy protein, which has a low cost and high protein content. Hence, as acceptance grows, the Nigerian market is projected to record the fastest-growing CAGR of 6.34%, by value, over the forecast period (2023-2029). The rising disposable income of the population, which increased to USD 45.3 billion in 2021, has also been positively affecting the segment's growth since 2016 and is expected to continue to do so through 2029.
  • On the other hand, animal proteins also witnessed demand in the African market. In 2021, it was estimated that around 18-20% of the consumption expenditure of an average Ethiopian consumer was devoted to animal-sourced foods. South Africa is another leading market with a comparatively bigger animal feed industry, accounting for a 33.04% share of the African animal feed sector. Such factors are boosting the growth of the South African segment of the African protein market. 
  • However, by protein type, plant proteins dominated the market with a share of 63.6%, by volume, in 2022 and are projected to register a higher CAGR of 4.30%, by value,  during the forecast period, owing to the rising number of vegetarians in the region. Around 66% of the South African population stated they were interested in plant-based meat in 2021, which fueled the segment's growth. About 81% of consumers had tried plant-based milk, 48% had tried other dairy alternatives, and 44% had tried vegan meat alternatives in 2021.

Africa Protein Industry Segmentation

Animal, Microbial, Plant are covered as segments by Source. Animal Feed, Food and Beverages, Personal Care and Cosmetics, Supplements are covered as segments by End User. Nigeria, South Africa are covered as segments by Country.

  • Plant proteins accounted for the highest end-user application share (84.72%) in the African protein market. Consumer awareness of global issues such as climate change and the unsustainability of animal husbandry is growing. Furthermore, the influence of various celebrities on social media is making plant-based diets popular among the general public. Kenya and Nigeria, for example, were among the top 10 countries in the world in terms of growth in their vegetarian populations between 2016 and 2017. Since consumers are actively choosing food and beverages that blur the lines between groceries and medicine, the nutritional quantity of protein in products is increasing. Sales of meat substitutes and milk substitutes are increasing in tandem.
  • The animal feed segment accounts for the highest share of 51.29% in plant protein applications in the market studied. The segment makes significant use of plant protein, mainly soy and wheat proteins, due to their low cost-in-use, excellent digestibility, and neutral flavor profile. The production animal can function at its highest zootechnical level due to the utilization of novel plant protein sources, such as hydrolyzed plant proteins. The personal care and cosmetics segment observed the highest growth over the study period, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.12% by volume. Pea protein is the major contributor to this growth because it reduces TEWL and increases skin water content. 
  • Plant protein is followed by animal protein application. By application, the F&B sector was the leading end-use segment for animal protein in the region in 2022. The bakery and snacks sub-segments accounted for the highest shares in the F&B segment, with 27.14% and 23.58%, respectively, in 2022.
Source
Animal
By Protein Type
Casein and Caseinates
Collagen
Egg Protein
Gelatin
Insect Protein
Milk Protein
Whey Protein
Other Animal Protein
Microbial
By Protein Type
Algae Protein
Mycoprotein
Plant
By Protein Type
Hemp Protein
Pea Protein
Potato Protein
Rice Protein
Soy Protein
Wheat Protein
Other Plant Protein
End User
Animal Feed
Food and Beverages
By Sub End User
Bakery
Beverages
Breakfast Cereals
Condiments/Sauces
Confectionery
Dairy and Dairy Alternative Products
Meat/Poultry/Seafood and Meat Alternative Products
RTE/RTC Food Products
Snacks
Personal Care and Cosmetics
Supplements
By Sub End User
Baby Food and Infant Formula
Elderly Nutrition and Medical Nutrition
Sport/Performance Nutrition
Country
Nigeria
South Africa
Rest of Africa
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Africa Protein Market Size Summary

The Africa Protein Market is experiencing a notable transformation, driven by shifting consumer preferences and increasing awareness of health and sustainability issues. Plant proteins have emerged as the dominant segment, accounting for a significant portion of the market share, largely due to the growing popularity of plant-based diets influenced by social media and celebrity endorsements. Countries like Kenya and Nigeria are witnessing a surge in vegetarian populations, contributing to the rising demand for plant-based food and beverages. The animal feed sector also plays a crucial role, with plant proteins such as soy and wheat being favored for their cost-effectiveness and nutritional benefits. The personal care and cosmetics industry is another area of growth, with pea protein gaining traction for its skin benefits. Despite the dominance of plant proteins, animal proteins continue to have a substantial presence, particularly in the food and beverage sector, with South Africa and Nigeria leading in consumption.

The market landscape is characterized by a mix of local production and imports, with countries like Kenya and South Africa being key players in milk production. The demand for animal proteins is supported by rising disposable incomes and changing consumer lifestyles, which are driving the consumption of high-quality protein products. The market is fragmented, with major companies like Cargill, Fonterra, and Kerry Group holding significant shares. Recent mergers and acquisitions, such as the merger between DuPont's Nutrition & Biosciences and IFF, highlight the ongoing consolidation and expansion efforts within the industry. Innovations in plant protein ingredients and the increasing popularity of protein bars and supplements are further shaping the market dynamics, as consumers seek nutritious and convenient food options.

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Africa Protein Market Size - Table of Contents

  1. 1. MARKET SEGMENTATION (includes market size in Value in USD and Volume, Forecasts up to 2029 and analysis of growth prospects)

    1. 1.1 Source

      1. 1.1.1 Animal

        1. 1.1.1.1 By Protein Type

          1. 1.1.1.1.1 Casein and Caseinates

          2. 1.1.1.1.2 Collagen

          3. 1.1.1.1.3 Egg Protein

          4. 1.1.1.1.4 Gelatin

          5. 1.1.1.1.5 Insect Protein

          6. 1.1.1.1.6 Milk Protein

          7. 1.1.1.1.7 Whey Protein

          8. 1.1.1.1.8 Other Animal Protein

      2. 1.1.2 Microbial

        1. 1.1.2.1 By Protein Type

          1. 1.1.2.1.1 Algae Protein

          2. 1.1.2.1.2 Mycoprotein

      3. 1.1.3 Plant

        1. 1.1.3.1 By Protein Type

          1. 1.1.3.1.1 Hemp Protein

          2. 1.1.3.1.2 Pea Protein

          3. 1.1.3.1.3 Potato Protein

          4. 1.1.3.1.4 Rice Protein

          5. 1.1.3.1.5 Soy Protein

          6. 1.1.3.1.6 Wheat Protein

          7. 1.1.3.1.7 Other Plant Protein

    2. 1.2 End User

      1. 1.2.1 Animal Feed

      2. 1.2.2 Food and Beverages

        1. 1.2.2.1 By Sub End User

          1. 1.2.2.1.1 Bakery

          2. 1.2.2.1.2 Beverages

          3. 1.2.2.1.3 Breakfast Cereals

          4. 1.2.2.1.4 Condiments/Sauces

          5. 1.2.2.1.5 Confectionery

          6. 1.2.2.1.6 Dairy and Dairy Alternative Products

          7. 1.2.2.1.7 Meat/Poultry/Seafood and Meat Alternative Products

          8. 1.2.2.1.8 RTE/RTC Food Products

          9. 1.2.2.1.9 Snacks

      3. 1.2.3 Personal Care and Cosmetics

      4. 1.2.4 Supplements

        1. 1.2.4.1 By Sub End User

          1. 1.2.4.1.1 Baby Food and Infant Formula

          2. 1.2.4.1.2 Elderly Nutrition and Medical Nutrition

          3. 1.2.4.1.3 Sport/Performance Nutrition

    3. 1.3 Country

      1. 1.3.1 Nigeria

      2. 1.3.2 South Africa

      3. 1.3.3 Rest of Africa

Africa Protein Market Size FAQs

The Africa Protein Market size is expected to reach USD 2.12 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 4.46% to reach USD 2.64 billion by 2029.

In 2024, the Africa Protein Market size is expected to reach USD 2.12 billion.

Africa Protein Market Report Snapshots

Africa Protein Market SIZE & SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS & FORECASTS UP TO 2029