Amino Acids Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Essential, Non-essential), By Source (Plant-based, Animal-based), By Grade (Food, Feed), By End-use (Food & Beverages, Dietary Supplements), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030

Amino Acids Market Size & Trends

The global amino acids market size was estimated at USD 27.22 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% from 2024 to 2030. This is attributable to increased consumer spending capacity and growing awareness among individuals related to preventive care and healthy lifestyles. They are used in health supplements to reduce muscle pain and fatigue, and lower risks associated with cardiovascular diseases. Currently, there is a rising need for plant-based protein sources due to the popularity of veganism and vegetarianism. To make sure that persons on plant-based diets get the right amount of nutrition, amino acid supplements are utilized because plant-based proteins frequently lack one or more important amino acids. They are also used in dietary supplements, which are becoming increasingly popular as people seek to improve their health and well-being. Amino acid supplements are marketed for their potential benefits in supporting muscle growth, improving athletic performance, and enhancing overall health.

The U.S. is a major consumer in North America with a revenue share of 82.8% in 2023. The expected growth during the forecast period can be attributed to rising consumer awareness regarding safety and hygiene related to animal products, coupled with the outbreak of animal diseases. In animal feed industry, amino acids are used as bioactive supplements as they offer several health benefits to animals. They are also used as critical ingredients in pet food products and veterinary supplements to enhance food digestibility and thereby strengthen the immune system.

Feed-grade amino acids are in demand as their consumption improves the activities & health of animals and offers better joint mobility. The animal feed industry is expected to witness a high demand for feed-grade amino acids owing to increasing aging-pet population, unique dietary requirements, and specialized diets. The growing adoption of pets in households across the U.S. is expected to drive demand for pet food, in turn, driving demand for products in pet food industry.

Raw materials used for amino acid production including soybean oilseeds, wheat, and corn have been witnessing price volatility over the past few years. This trend is expected to continue over the forecast period owing to increasing consumption of raw materials for other food production, resulting in limited supply for amino acid production. Short-term factors such as increasing energy prices are among other hurdles leading to a shortage of raw materials for amino acid production. In developing economies, manufacturers are often forced to create amino acids from low-quality alternative ingredients such as cassava or sorghum. Such alternative ingredients are less digestible compared to corn and soybean.

Market Dynamics

Amino acids are anticipated to witness high demand from food and dietary supplement manufacturers with increased consumer spending capacity and growing awareness among individuals regarding healthy lifestyles and preventive care. These are utilized in health supplements to reduce fatigue and muscle pain, as well as to lower the risk related to cardiovascular diseases. They are also gaining popularity in nutritional sports supplements. Athletes consume amino acid-based dietary supplements in the form of powders, tablets, and drinks for muscle growth. This is expected to augment the consumption of amino acids in nutraceuticals industry.

The pet food industry has grown tremendously over the past few years as dogs, fish, cats, and birds have been popular home companions. The number of pets is expected to increase in the next few years, thus, creating opportunities for various companies involved in manufacturing pet-related goods. The demand for pet medicine, food, and accessories has been increasing in line with the rising adoption of cats and dogs. According to the American Pet Product Association, a cat or dog owner, on average, spends between USD 200 and USD 300 on pet food annually. Further, amino acids are used as feed ingredients in pet food formulations as they enhance food digestibility and boost health. The mounting consumption of sodium amino acids in pets, pet medicine, and veterinary supplements is expected to further drive the market.

Type Insights

The non-essential type segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 52.5% in 2023. This is attributed to the fact that they are commonly used in animal feed to provide a balanced amino acid profile for animals. Animal nutritionists formulate diets to meet the animal's nutrient requirements, including their protein needs. Amino acids are building blocks of proteins, so it is essential to provide a balanced mix of both essential and non-essential products in an animal's diet. This helps to ensure optimal growth, development, and health.

Glutamic acid in the non-essential segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 42.3% in 2023. It is involved in the synthesis of proteins and is a component of some enzymes. It is also involved in the production of energy and is an important neurotransmitter in the brain. Glutamic acid has potential benefits in supporting brain health and cognitive function. It plays a key role in the regulation of neurotransmitters in the brain, and it also has neuroprotective effects.

The use of essential type segment is also witnessing steady growth globally owing to surging demand for dietary supplements and sports nutrition products, the increasing number of patients suffering from chronic diseases, the aging population, and rising awareness among consumers about the benefits of essential amino acids.

Lysine in the essential type segment is also anticipated to witness growth over the forecast period. The demand for lysine is mainly driven by the growth of dietary supplements market worldwide. Apart from human consumption, this is also a popular additive for animal feed. It is extensively used for the deposition of proteins in the body. The quantity of lysine consumed daily influences the growth of animals. The alteration in the concentration of dietary lysine used in animal feed enhances the growth of animals, and feed quality. The rising demand for lysine from animal feed manufacturers, coupled with surging consumption of dietary supplements, is expected to augment global demand for lysine over the forecast period.

Source Insights

The plant-based source segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 43.9% in 2023. This growth is attributed to the growing consumer awareness regarding natural and organic products. The product is obtained from plant sources such as soybeans, wheat, corn, potatoes, and peas. Currently, soybeans are used for commercial sourcing of amino acids owing to their large-scale global production and consumption. However, the processing of soybeans is known to alter the composition of product that acts as a major concern during the sourcing of amino acids from them. Augmented social awareness related to animal slaughter is expected to positively impact demand for plant-derived products worldwide.

Chemical synthesis is another segment anticipated to witness growth over the forecast period. It is a biochemical process through which most of the amino acids are produced. Most of the products are made through a synthetic process involving α-ketoacids, followed by transamination utilizing another amino acid, typically glutamate. This transformation is facilitated by a specific enzyme known as an aminotransferase. The formation of glutamate, in turn, occurs through the amination of α-ketoglutarate. Moreover, mutant bacteria are used in the commercial production of the product.

An alternate approach to obtain the α-amino acid involves the process of reductive amination of the α-keto acid. In amino acid synthesis, intricate techniques yielding high-purity compounds are frequently preferred. Additionally, Gabriel synthesis presents an advantageous method for aminating bromomalonic esters. This technique mitigates the tendency of amines to undergo multiple substitutions, ensuring a single substitution reaction of primary and secondary alkyl halides.

Grade Insights

The pharma segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 39.1% in 2023. This growth is attributed to the fact that pharmaceutical-grade is among the most premium and high-cost grades of these acids. They are manufactured while adhering to strict quality control standards to ensure their purity and safety. They play a crucial role in various biological processes within human body, including protein synthesizing, cell signaling, and neurotransmitter manufacturing.

Manufacturers of pharma grade must adhere to strict regulatory guidelines and pharmacopeial standards established by organizations such as the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.), and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). These guidelines ensure the quality, identity, strength, and purity of amino acids used in different medicines. They are commonly used in various therapeutic applications. They can support muscle growth and recovery, enhance athletic performance, manage certain medical conditions, and promote the overall well-being of consumers.

Food grade is another segment anticipated to witness growth over the forecast period. They are crucial for food industry as they add protein content and functional and nutritional value to various products. Some products, such as glutamic acid, are known for enhancing the taste and flavor of food. They are often used as flavor enhancers in processed food, such as snacks. These acids are building blocks of proteins and play a crucial role in the growth, repair, and maintenance of body tissues.

End-use Insights

Food & beverages dominated the market with a revenue share of 29.0% in 2023. Amino acids are used in food processing industry as flavor enhancers, preservatives, and nutrition enhancers. Glycine and alanine are frequently employed as agents to enhance flavor and taste. Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a substance derived from glutamic acid, is extensively utilized as a flavor enhancer in a variety of food products, including canned vegetables, soups, processed meat, salad dressings, bread, carbohydrate-based snacks, and ice cream. It is subject to regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is deemed as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). The product is popular among Asian countries and is widely used in several food preparations.

Functional beverages in the food & beverage segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 23.7% in 2023. Amino acids are frequently used in sports and performance beverages to support muscle recovery, energy production, and endurance of consumers. BCAAs, such as leucine, isoleucine, and valine, are known for reducing exercise-induced muscle damage and promoting muscle protein synthesis in consumers. These acids enhance the performance of athletes and aid in their post-workout recovery.

Animal feed is another segment anticipated to witness growth over the forecast period. Growing awareness among consumers regarding nutritional requirements for animals coupled with augmented demand for enhanced feed quality and high feed production is expected to drive the segment over the forecast period. For instance, in calves, most vital amino acids required are isoleucine, lysine, methionine, leucine, and threonine. A deficiency in any of these slows down animal growth and delays the onset of maturity. In the growth stage of poultry animals, arginine is an essential part of their diets as they do not contain a urea cycle, which is responsible for synthesizing protein. Arginine deficiency in chickens often results in feather deformation. In addition, lysine deficiency can have a similar effect on turkeys.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific dominated the market with a revenue share of 46.4% in 2023. Rising pork consumption in China is expected to drive market growth in the country. Growing health concerns and rising individual medical expenditure are expected to fuel demand for dietary supplements in China, which, in turn, is expected to augment demand for amino acids. The shift in the trend toward ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages is projected to positively influence demand for aspartame, in turn, augmenting consumption of the product in the form of aspartic acids in the region over the forecast period.

Europe is the second-largest compound feed producer globally, with Germany and France being major producing countries. Poultry feed accounts for a major share of region’s compound feed market, representing approximately one-third of total compound feed market. Key companies operating in the market have diversified businesses and broader product portfolios for animal feed. Rising production and consumption of animal feed are expected to drive growth for the market in this region over the forecast period.

Due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak, the U.S. has witnessed a complete shutdown of various manufacturing industries, which has resulted in panic buying of animal feed among several farmers owing to potential shortage resulting due to reduced deliveries and logistics disruption. This has boosted demand for animal feed additives including amino acids, thereby, expected to propel growth of the market in North America over projected years.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market is fragmented as the number of players operating in the market is high. Leaders and other emerging players in the country that include traders, small manufacturers, and players operating at local market levels capture the maximum market share. Companies are entering into expansions and new product launches so as to maintain their position in the market.

According to Paula’s Choice, healthy skin is reliant on the presence of amino acids as they are the building blocks of peptides and proteins that have specific roles to play in skin care. For instance, P&G skin care brand OLAY launched its new powerhouse moisturizer product in January 2023 that is enriched with 99% synthetic niacinamide, as well as amino acids peptide.

Amino Acids Market Report Scope

Global Amino Acids Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts volume and revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global amino acids market report based on type, source, grade, end-use, and region:

• Type Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Essential

    • Histidine

    • Isoleucine

    • Leucine

    • Lysine

    • Methionine

    • Phenylalanine

    • Threonine

    • Tryptophan

    • Valine

  • Non-essential

    • Alanine

    • Arginine

    • Asparagine

    • Aspartic Acid

    • Cysteine

    • Glutamic Acid

    • Glutamine

    • Glycine

    • Proline

    • Serine

    • Tyrosine

    • Ornithine

    • Citrulline

    • Creatine

    • Selenocysteine

    • Taurine

    • Others

• Source Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Plant-based

  • Animal-based

  • Chemical Synthesis

  • Fermentation

• Grade Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Food Grade

  • Feed Grade

  • Pharma Grade

  • Other Grades

• End-use Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Food & Beverages

    • Bakery

    • Dairy

    • Confectionery

    • Convenience Foods

    • Functional Beverages

    • Meat Processing

    • Infant Formulation

    • Others

  • Animal Feed

  • Pet Food

  • Pharmaceuticals

  • Vaccine Formulation

  • Personal Care & Cosmetics

  • Dietary Supplements

  • Agriculture

  • Other End-uses

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • UK

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Russia

    • Turkey

    • Netherlands

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • South Korea

    • Indonesia

    • Thailand

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia