A report from the growth-consulting firm Frost & Sullivan has found that a recent surge in demand for plant protein is set to evolve the global production and trade flow of whole yellow pea in the United States, Western Europe and China. While the market for whole peas is predicted to hold steady at 2 to 4% annual growth, the dry pea protein ingredient market is projected to grow at a rate of 10% per year.
Whole yellow peas contain over 85% protein and are rich in vital muscle-building ingredients compared to other vegetables. Although traditionally used for direct consumption, animal feed ingredients and starch, yellow peas are increasingly being produced to create dry pea protein, a natural supplement made by extracting the soluble pea protein from yellow split peas.
There are several major drivers for the pea protein market, including a rise in vegetarian consumers, growing demand for affordable and sustainable vegetarian protein powders, and advances in extraction technology. The Asia-Pacific is expected to see considerable growth, primarily due to the burgeoning animal feed industry in India and China.
With an average single digit growth in terms of volume over the last couple of years, the pea protein market is poised to witness a greater demand over the next decade. By 2019, the market is project to be valued at over $32 million.
Image caption: Whole yellow peas
Image credit: Gavin Firkser / Flickr
