Rice Protein Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Isolates, Concentrates), By Application, By Organic Rice Protein Application, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025

Industry Insights

The global rice protein market size was estimated at 11,326.2 tons in 2015. Rice protein is one of the important types of plant protein, which is derived from both, brown as well as white rice. The use of rice proteins in pharmaceuticals was one of the upcoming trends in 2015. These products are characterized by high amino-acid content, which makes them ideal for the medical and pharmaceutical industries. In 2015, this application segment accounted for 17% of the total volume in the U.S.

U.S. rice protein market volume by application, 2014 - 2025 (Tons)

The U.S. market was dominated by the food & beverage application segment in 2015. Growing functional food and dietary supplements industries have been the major driving factors in the food & beverage segment in this country. The demand in this country was highly influenced by the growing vegan population and a high focus on the use of natural & organic food ingredients. Besides, the presence of key manufacturers with wide distribution networks is expected to fuel the demand over the forecast period.

Product Insights

These powders are processed and refined, in order to improve their taste and durability. The products are segmented into concentrates and isolates, as per the processes and protein content.

The product segment was dominated by isolates in 2015, which accounted for 54% of the market by volume. Isolates are characterized by separation of the protein from the food. This results in a minimum amount of carbohydrate, fat, and fiber in the final product which means these products have 90% to 95% of protein by weight. The high protein content is one of the major factors making this product more popular, consequently driving its market.

The market for concentrates is projected to witness the highest growth over the forecast period. Since these are cheaper and can easily replace a significant amount of other similar products without drastically impacting the color and taste, their popularity has grown over the years. Consumers have increasingly adopted these products as they are proven to be healthier and nutritious as compared to whey.

Application Insights

Global demand has seen an astonishing shift from animal to plant protein due to rising awareness among consumers. Major applications of the products include food & beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and animal feed. Food & beverage emerged as the largest application segment and accounted for 55% of the total market volume in 2015.

Global rice protein market volume by application, 2015 (%)

The application segment was mainly driven by growing demand for plant-based products at the expense of animal products such as meat and eggs. The growing application of these products in products such as sports drinks, supplements, and dairy alternatives is expected to be the major driver of the market in the food & beverage segment.

Growing demand for plant-based medicines and growing awareness about the benefits of these products over other plant products are expected to be the biggest drivers in the pharmaceuticals segment over the forecast period. Emerging countries such as China, Brazil, and India are projected to account for the fastest growth of the end-use industries including food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and animal feed, consequently propelling the growth of the rice protein market.

Organic Rice Protein Application Insights

Sports & energy nutrition, bakery & confectionery, meat analogues & extenders, and dairy alternatives were some of the common applications of organic rice proteins in 2015. The sports & energy nutrition segment held the largest market share of 87% in terms of volume, in 2015. These products act as powerful antioxidants and have a high amino acid content, which helps sportspersons gain energy quickly as compared to other sources.

The consumption of these products enhances energy and muscle mass. Being a completely natural product, they are an excellent option for vegan muscle builders and sportspersons. Research has proven that their consumption improves the metabolism of the body apart from keeping the sugar levels under control.

Organic rice proteins, being non-GMO, gluten-free, natural, and high protein sources with an excellent amino acid profile, have found growing applications in the bakery and confectionary application segment. The products in this segment include baked goods, bars, and batters. They are known to improve the protein content of baked goods without increasing the fat content, courtesy which, this application segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 8% by volume, from 2016 to 2025.

Regional Insights

North America was the largest market in 2015 and accounted for around 47% of the total volume owing to high demand from the food & beverage industry. The presence of a large number of manufacturers has helped this region increase its global market share. The industry was dominated by the U.S., which accounted for the majority of the volume and revenue shares in 2015. Technological advancements coupled with a high adoption rate of new products in this region are expected to play a key role in increasing the demand for over the forecast period.

Japan, China, and India were the key markets in Asia Pacific in 2015. Rising demand for protein-based nutritional products on account of increasing consumer awareness regarding healthy lifestyles is expected to propel the demand for these products over the forecast period.

Food Safety and Standards Act in India, Japan Health and Nutrition Food Association in Japan and State Food and Drug Administration in China are some of the bodies that regulate the use of various ingredients in the food & beverage products in order to ensure the quality of food and safety of consumers in their respective countries. These organizations also promote the consumption of nutritious food products and are involved in R&D activities in this field, further creating awareness among consumers and helping new product developments, respectively.

Rice Protein Market Share Insights

The industry is highly competitive and concentrated, with the top four companies accounting for the maximum share of global production in 2015. Some of the key players include AIDP Inc., Axiom Foods Inc., RiceBran Technologies, and Nutrition Resource Inc.

Since the players in this industry are low on revenues and spending capabilities, they adopted inorganic development strategies such as agreements and partnerships with suppliers and distributors from 2011 to 2016. For instance, in March 2016, AIDP Inc. entered into a distribution agreement with Plandai Biotechnology Inc., the U.K. with an aim to increase its customer base in Europe.

Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional & country levels and provides an analysis of the industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global rice protein market on the basis of product, application, organic rice protein application, and region: 

• Product Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Thousand, 2014 - 2025)

  • Rice protein isolates

  • Rice protein concentrates

  • Others  

• Application Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Thousand, 2014 - 2025)

  • Food and beverages

  • Pharmaceutical

  • Cosmetics

  • Animal feed

• Organic Rice Protein Application Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Thousand, 2014 - 2025)

  • Sports & Energy Nutrition

  • Bakery & Confectionery

  • Meat Analogues & Extenders

  • Dairy Alternatives

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Thousand, 2014 - 2025)

  • North America

    • The U.S.

  • Europe

    • Germany

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa