The Pea Starch Market size was estimated at USD 850 million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 1.5 billion by 2030, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.60% during the forecast period (2024-2030).

Pea Starch Market

Market Summary

The pea starch market is a rapidly growing segment within the global food and beverage industry, driven by increasing consumer demand for plant-based and clean-label ingredients. Derived from yellow peas, this starch is valued for its functional properties, including its role as a thickener, stabilizer, and gelling agent in various food applications. The market is characterized by a shift away from traditional starches, as pea starch offers a non-GMO, gluten-free, and allergen-friendly alternative that aligns with modern health and wellness trends. Major food manufacturers are increasingly incorporating pea starch into their product formulations to meet the rising consumer preference for natural and sustainable ingredients. The market is also supported by the growth in the processed food sector and the expansion of vegan and flexitarian diets worldwide. Key producing regions include North America and Europe, where pea cultivation and processing technologies are advanced. The competitive landscape features both specialized ingredient companies and large diversified agribusinesses striving to innovate and expand their production capacities to capture market share.

Key Highlights

The pea starch market is distinguished by several key highlights that underscore its strategic importance. A primary highlight is its exceptional functionality, providing superior binding, texturizing, and moisture-retention properties compared to many conventional starches, which makes it indispensable in products like soups, sauces, and baked goods. Another significant aspect is its alignment with the clean-label movement; as a natural and recognizable ingredient, it allows brands to simplify their ingredient lists and appeal to health-conscious consumers. The market is also defined by strong sustainability credentials, as pea crops require less water and fertilizer than many other sources of starch, contributing to a lower environmental footprint. Innovation in processing techniques has enabled the production of pea starch with a neutral taste and improved performance, overcoming previous challenges and expanding its application potential. Furthermore, the ingredient's role in meat alternatives and dairy-free products positions it at the forefront of the plant-based revolution, making it a critical component for companies developing next-generation food products.

Drivers, Opportunities & Restraints

The growth of the pea starch market is propelled by several powerful drivers. The most prominent driver is the escalating consumer demand for plant-based and allergen-free food products, which has led manufacturers to seek out reliable alternatives to corn and wheat starches. The robust growth of the health and wellness industry, with its emphasis on natural ingredients and non-GMO products, further accelerates adoption. Additionally, increasing investments in research and development by key players to enhance the functional properties of pea starch are making it more versatile and effective. Significant opportunities exist in the expansion of application areas beyond traditional uses; for instance, its potential in gluten-free pasta, ready-to-eat meals, and even pharmaceutical capsules presents new revenue streams. The Asia-Pacific region, with its growing population and increasing disposable income, represents a substantial untapped market for penetration. However, the market does face certain restraints. The cost of production can be higher than for conventional starches, potentially limiting its use in price-sensitive markets. Furthermore, supply chain vulnerabilities related to pea crop yields, which can be affected by climatic conditions, pose a risk to consistent supply and pricing. Overcoming the challenge of off-flavors in some pea starch variants remains a focus for ongoing product development.

Concentration Insights

The competitive concentration in the pea starch market is characterized by a mix of large multinational agribusinesses and specialized ingredient manufacturers, creating a moderately concentrated landscape. A few key players, such as Roquette Fr?res, Emsland Group, and Vestkorn Milling, hold significant market share due to their extensive production facilities, strong research capabilities, and established global distribution networks. These companies compete on the basis of product quality, consistency, technological innovation, and the ability to offer customized solutions for specific client applications. The market also features several regional players who compete effectively in their local markets by leveraging deep customer relationships and understanding of regional preferences. The level of competition is intensifying as new entrants recognize the growth potential, leading to increased investments in capacity expansion and the development of novel pea-based ingredients. Strategic partnerships between starch producers and food manufacturers are common, aimed at co-developing new applications and securing supply chains. This dynamic environment encourages continuous innovation and ensures that the market remains responsive to evolving industry demands.

Type Insights

Pea starch is commercially available in different types, primarily categorized based on its native or modified state, each serving distinct purposes in the food and beverage industry. Native pea starch is the pure, unaltered form extracted directly from peas. It is prized for its clean-label status and is widely used in applications where minimal processing is a key consumer requirement, such as in organic products or simple formulations. Its gelling and thickening properties are effective, though it may have limitations in extreme processing conditions like high heat or acid environments. Modified pea starch, on the other hand, has been physically, enzymatically, or chemically treated to enhance its functional characteristics. This type offers improved stability, solubility, texture, and tolerance to heat, shear, and pH changes, making it indispensable in a wider range of processed foods, including canned goods, frozen foods, and dairy alternatives. The choice between native and modified starch is a critical decision for formulators, balancing the desire for a clean label with the need for specific technical performance in the final product.

Application Insights

The application of pea starch spans a diverse array of segments within the food and beverage sector, demonstrating its versatility. In the food industry, it is extensively used as a thickener and stabilizer in soups, sauces, and gravies, providing a smooth texture and desired consistency. It is a fundamental ingredient in meat and poultry products, where it improves water binding, enhances juiciness, and reduces cooking loss, particularly in processed meats and plant-based meat analogs. The bakery and snacks segment utilizes pea starch to improve the texture, volume, and shelf-life of products like bread, cakes, and extruded snacks, while also serving as a effective solution for gluten-free formulations. In the confectionery industry, it acts as a gelling agent in products like gummies and jellies. Furthermore, the burgeoning dairy alternative market, including plant-based milk, yogurt, and cheese, relies heavily on pea starch for its emulsifying and mouthfeel-enhancing properties. Its application is also expanding into pet food and industrial non-food uses, though the food sector remains the dominant consumer.

Regional Insights

The demand and production of pea starch exhibit distinct regional patterns influenced by agricultural practices, consumer trends, and regulatory frameworks. Europe represents a leading market, driven by strong consumer awareness of health and sustainability, stringent food labeling regulations favoring clean-label ingredients, and a well-established plant-based food industry. Countries like France and Germany are major hubs for both production and consumption. North America, particularly the United States and Canada, is another significant region, characterized by high demand for gluten-free and plant-based products, advanced food processing technologies, and substantial pea cultivation. The Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to witness the fastest growth, fueled by a growing population, rising disposable incomes, urbanization, and the increasing influence of Western dietary patterns. However, market maturity varies greatly within the region, with countries like Australia and Japan being more developed markets compared to emerging economies. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are currently smaller markets but present future growth opportunities as awareness of pea starch's benefits gradually increases among local manufacturers.

Company Insights

The pea starch market features a competitive roster of companies striving to strengthen their positions through innovation, expansion, and strategic initiatives. Prominent players include Roquette Fr?res, a global leader in plant-based ingredients with a comprehensive portfolio of pea-derived products and significant production capacity. Emsland Group is another key manufacturer known for its expertise in potato and pea starches, emphasizing sustainability and custom solutions. Vestkorn Milling, a major European producer, focuses exclusively on pea and bean ingredients, offering a range of native and functional flours and starches. Other notable participants include AGT Food and Ingredients, which is integrated from pulse farming to processing, and Meelunie B.V., a supplier of a wide range of plant-based ingredients. These companies compete by investing in research to improve product functionality, expanding their production footprints to meet growing demand, and forming strategic partnerships with food manufacturers to develop application-specific solutions. The competitive strategies often revolve around highlighting the non-GMO, gluten-free, and sustainable attributes of their products to capture value in the evolving food ingredient market.

Recent Developments

The pea starch market has been dynamic, with several recent developments shaping its trajectory. A prominent trend is the announcement of significant capacity expansions by leading manufacturers to keep pace with soaring demand. Companies are investing in new production facilities and upgrading existing ones to increase output and enhance efficiency. There has been a surge in product innovation, with launches of new modified pea starch variants designed for specific challenging applications, such as in acidic beverages or frozen foods, offering improved stability and performance. Strategic acquisitions and partnerships are also frequent, as larger ingredient corporations seek to acquire specialized pea processing capabilities or form alliances with food brands to co-develop new products. Furthermore, sustainability initiatives have moved to the forefront, with companies publishing life cycle assessments of their pea starch to quantify its environmental benefits over traditional options and implementing programs for sustainable pea sourcing. These developments collectively indicate a market that is rapidly evolving, scaling up, and refining its offerings to solidify its position as a mainstream food ingredient.

Report Segmentation

This comprehensive market research report on the pea starch market provides a detailed analysis segmented across multiple dimensions to offer a granular understanding of the industry. The segmentation is designed to help stakeholders identify precise growth pockets and make informed strategic decisions. The report is segmented by type, distinguishing between native pea starch and modified pea starch, analyzing the demand drivers, functional properties, and market dynamics for each category. It is further segmented by application, providing in-depth coverage of key uses such as food and beverages (with sub-segments like bakery & confectionery, meat alternatives, soups & sauces), pet food, and industrial applications. A crucial geographical segmentation breaks down the market into key regions and major countries within North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa, highlighting regional production, consumption patterns, trade flows, and growth prospects. This multi-faceted segmentation allows for a targeted analysis of specific product types, their adoption across different industries, and their performance in various global markets.

FAQs

What is pea starch made from? Pea starch is a carbohydrate extracted and refined from yellow peas, specifically from the endosperm of the pea. The process involves cleaning, milling, and separating the starch from the protein and fiber components of the pea, resulting in a pure white powder.

Is pea starch gluten-free? Yes, pea starch is naturally gluten-free. It is derived from peas, which are a legume and not a grain containing gluten like wheat, barley, or rye. This makes it a safe and popular thickening and binding agent in gluten-free food formulations.

What is pea starch used for? Pea starch has diverse applications primarily as a functional food ingredient. It is used as a thickener, binder, and texturizer in products such as soups, sauces, meat and poultry products, baked goods, snacks, and dairy alternatives. It is also increasingly used in plant-based meat analogs.

What is the difference between pea starch and pea protein? While both are derived from yellow peas, they are distinct products. Pea starch is a carbohydrate used primarily for its functional properties like thickening and gelling. Pea protein is the protein isolate or concentrate, used to boost the protein content in foods and is a key ingredient in shakes, bars, and meat alternatives.

Is pea starch healthy? Pea starch is considered a healthy ingredient choice for several reasons. It is natural, non-GMO, gluten-free, and allergen-friendly. It provides a source of resistant starch, which can act as a prebiotic fiber beneficial for gut health, and it has a lower impact on blood sugar compared to some other refined carbohydrates.

Citius Research has developed a research report titled “Pea Starch Market Report - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth Trends, Regional Outlook, Competitive Strategies and Segment Forecasts 2024 - 2030” delivering key insights regarding business intelligence and providing concrete business strategies to clients in the form of a detailed syndicated report. The report details out the factors such as business environment, industry trend, growth opportunities, competition, pricing, global and regional market analysis, and other market related factors.

Details included in the report for the years 2024 through 2030

• Pea Starch Market Potential
• Segment-wise breakup
• Compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) for the next 6 years
• Key customers and their preferences
• Market share of major players and their competitive strength
• Existing competition in the market
• Price trend analysis
• Key trend analysis
• Market entry strategies
• Market opportunity insights

The report focuses on the drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges in the market based on various factors geographically. Further, key players, major collaborations, merger & acquisitions along with trending innovation and business policies are reviewed in the report. The Pea Starch Market report is segmented on the basis of various market segments and their analysis, both in terms of value and volume, for each region for the period under consideration.

Pea Starch Market Segmentation

Regions Covered

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• MENA
• Asia Pacific
• Sub-Saharan Africa and
• Australasia

Pea Starch Market Analysis

The report covers below mentioned analysis, but is not limited to:

• Overview of Pea Starch Market
• Research Methodology
• Executive Summary
• Market Dynamics of Pea Starch Market
  • Driving Factors
  • Restraints
  • Opportunities
• Global Market Status and Forecast by Segment A
• Global Market Status and Forecast by Segment B
• Global Market Status and Forecast by Segment C
• Global Market Status and Forecast by Regions
• Upstream and Downstream Market Analysis of Pea Starch Market
• Cost and Gross Margin Analysis of Pea Starch Market
• Pea Starch Market Report - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth Trends, Regional Outlook, Competitive Strategies and Segment Forecasts 2024 - 2030
  • Competition Landscape
  • Market Share of Major Players
• Key Recommendations

The “Pea Starch Market Report - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth Trends, Regional Outlook, Competitive Strategies and Segment Forecasts 2024 - 2030” report helps the clients to take business decisions and to understand strategies of major players in the industry. The report delivers the market driven results supported by a mix of primary and secondary research. The report provides the results triangulated through authentic sources and upon conducting thorough primary interviews with the industry experts. The report includes the results on the areas where the client can focus and create point of parity and develop a competitive edge, based on real-time data results.

Pea Starch Market Key Stakeholders

Below are the key stakeholders for the Pea Starch Market:

• Manufacturers
• Distributors/Traders/Wholesalers
• Material/Component Manufacturers
• Industry Associations
• Downstream vendors

Pea Starch Market Report Scope

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

Like most other markets, the outbreak of COVID-19 had an unfavorable impact on the Pea Starch Market worldwide. This report discusses in detail the disruptions experienced by the market, the impact on flow of raw materials, manufacturing operations, production trends, consumer demand and the projected future of this market post pandemic.

The report has helped our clients:

• To describe and forecast the Pea Starch Market size, on the basis of various segmentations and geography, in terms of value and volume
• To measure the changing needs of customers/industries
• To provide detailed information regarding the drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges influencing the growth of the market
• To gain competitive intelligence and uncover new opportunities
• To analyse opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying high-growth segments in Pea Starch Market
• To strategically profile key players and provide details of the current competitive landscape
• To analyse strategic approaches adopted by players in the market, such as product launches and developments, acquisitions, collaborations, contracts, expansions, and partnerships

Report Customization

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