Pulse Protein Market Size, Share, Growth, and Regional Forecast, 2025 - 2032

Pulse Protein Market Size and Trends Analysis

The global pulse protein market size is likely to be valued at US$22.4 Billion in 2025 and is expected to reach US$33.3 Billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2032, driven by rising demand for plant-based, allergen-free, and sustainable protein sources.

Key Industry Highlights

• Leading Region: Asia Pacific is projected to dominate the global market, accounting for around 37.3% share in 2025, driven by abundant raw material availability, strong dietary inclusion of pulses, supportive government initiatives, and rising health awareness promoting plant-based protein consumption.
• Fastest-growing Region: North America is the fastest-growing region, supported by increasing adoption of vegan and flexitarian diets, high demand for clean-label and allergen-free products, and strong investments in alternative protein technologies.
• Investment Plans: Europe is actively investing in sustainable pulse cultivation, R&D for novel protein extraction, and development of organic, non-GMO, and fortified pulse protein products, aligning with its sustainability and food innovation goals.
• Dominant Source: Pea protein leads the market with about 39% share, favored for its neutral taste, versatile applications in meat analogs, bakery, and beverages, and high digestibility.

Key Insights	Details
Pulse Protein Market Size (2025E)	US$22.4 Bn
Market Value Forecast (2032F)	US$33.3 Bn
Projected Growth (CAGR 2025 to 2032)	5.0%
Historical Market Growth (CAGR 2019 to 2024)	5.8%

Market Factors - Growth, Barriers, and Opportunity Analysis

Rising Demand for Plant-Based Proteins

The rising demand for plant-based proteins is a significant driver of the global market, influenced by shifting dietary preferences and health considerations. In India, pulses are a staple in vegetarian diets, with the country being the largest producer and consumer of pulses globally, accounting for 25% of global production and 27% of consumption. Despite this, average per capita pulse consumption in India remains below recommended dietary intake levels, indicating potential for increased consumption.

Globally, the average per capita consumption of pulses is approximately 7 kg per year, with projections to rise to 8.6 kg by 2032, reflecting a growing trend towards plant-based diets. This shift is driven by increasing awareness of the health benefits of plant-based proteins, such as their role in reducing the risk of chronic diseases and supporting sustainable agriculture. The market is experiencing significant growth, with governments and industries investing in research and development to meet the evolving consumer demand for plant-based protein sources.

High Production and Processing Costs

The high production and processing costs of pulse proteins pose significant challenges to their widespread adoption. Advanced processing methods such as alkaline extraction and isoelectric precipitation are commonly employed to obtain high-quality pulse protein isolates. These techniques involve multiple steps, including milling, defatting, extraction, and drying, each requiring specialized equipment and energy inputs. For instance, the alkaline extraction process necessitates the use of alkaline solutions and precise pH adjustments, followed by centrifugation and drying, which collectively contribute to elevated operational expenses.

The need for large-scale infrastructure to handle the volume of pulses required for industrial-scale production further escalates costs. In India, while pulses are a staple in diets, the infrastructure for processing pulse proteins is still developing, leading to higher costs and limited availability of processed pulse protein products. These financial barriers hinder the scalability and competitiveness of pulse proteins in the global market.

Growth in Sports Nutrition and Health Supplements

The growing interest in sports nutrition presents a significant opportunity for pulse proteins, particularly in India, where pulses contribute approximately 13% to per capita total protein intake. This aligns with the increasing demand for plant-based protein sources among athletes and fitness enthusiasts seeking sustainable and allergen-free alternatives. The Indian government's emphasis on promoting pulses, as outlined in the "Strategies and Pathways for Accelerating Growth in Pulses towards the Goal of Atmanirbharta", further supports this trend.

The rise in health-conscious consumers and the expansion of the nutraceuticals market, projected to grow from US$455.01 Billion in 2024 to US$503.22 Billion in 2025, indicate a favorable environment for the integration of pulse proteins into dietary supplements and functional foods. These developments underscore the potential for pulse proteins to become a staple in sports nutrition, offering a sustainable and nutritious option for consumers.

Category-wise Analysis

Source Insights

The peas segment dominates the market with a 39% share in 2025, due to its neutral taste, high protein content, and versatile functionality in food applications. Peas are widely cultivated, with India and Canada being major producers, contributing significantly to the global supply. In 2023, Canada produced over 6 million tonnes of yellow peas, supporting both domestic consumption and exports for protein extraction. Pea protein is highly soluble, allergen-free, and suitable for incorporation into beverages, bakery, meat analogs, and nutritional supplements, increasing its adoption across industries. Consumer preference for plant-based and clean-label products has driven the demand for pea protein, making it the leading source in the market.

Nature Insights

Conventional pulse proteins dominate the market due to their established production infrastructure, lower cost, and widespread availability. Globally, conventional pulses account for the majority of cultivation; for instance, India produced 26.6 million tonnes of pulses in 2023, mostly through conventional farming methods. These proteins are more affordable for food manufacturers and consumers compared to organic alternatives, enabling large-scale incorporation into bakery, beverages, snacks, and meat analogs.

Conventional pulse proteins also benefit from stable supply chains and higher yields, ensuring consistent quality and accessibility. While organic pulse protein is gaining traction, the cost and limited supply restrict its penetration, allowing conventional pulse protein to maintain its dominance in global markets, particularly in regions with high protein demand and price-sensitive consumers.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific Pulse Protein Market Trends

The Asia Pacific region dominates the global market with a 37.3% share in 2025, due to abundant pulse production, strong dietary habits, and growing health awareness. India, China, and Myanmar are major pulse-producing countries, with India producing 24.2 million tonnes of pulses in 2022–23 (desagri.gov.in), supporting both domestic consumption and export demand. Pulses are a staple in traditional diets, ensuring high acceptance of pulse-based products. Rising urbanization and disposable incomes have increased demand for processed and convenient high-protein foods.

Government initiatives promoting pulses, such as the National Food Security Mission and support for plant-based protein development (niti.gov.in), further strengthen production and consumption. These factors collectively position Asia-Pacific as the largest market for pulse protein, combining supply advantage, cultural acceptance, and growing health-conscious consumption trends.

Europe Pulse Protein Market Trends

Europe is an important region in the market due to high consumer awareness of health, sustainability, and plant-based diets. The European Union reported that over 12% of adults in EU countries follow vegetarian or flexitarian diets, driving demand for alternative protein sources. Countries, including Germany, France, and the U.K., are investing heavily in plant-based food innovation, including pulse-based meat alternatives, bakery products, and beverages. Government initiatives, such as the EU Protein Plan, support sustainable protein production and research into pulse cultivation and processing (ec.europa.eu). Consumers prioritize clean-label, non-GMO, and allergen-free products, making Europe a key market for premium pulse protein offerings and R&D-driven product development.

North America Pulse Protein Market Trends

North America is witnessing rapid growth in the market due to increasing consumer demand for plant-based and sustainable protein sources. The U.S. produces over 3 million tonnes of dry peas and lentils annually, providing a strong raw material base for pulse protein extraction. Rising health awareness, a growing vegan and flexitarian population, and the popularity of clean-label and allergen-free products are driving adoption in food, beverages, and supplements.

The expansion of sports nutrition, bakery, and meat alternative markets further accelerates growth. Government initiatives promoting plant-based proteins and sustainable agriculture also support production and innovation. These factors position North America as a high-growth region for pulse protein.

Competitive Landscape

The global pulse protein market is expanding as manufacturers innovate with advanced extraction, purification, and functionalization techniques. Leading companies emphasize high protein content, neutral taste, and versatile applications, while emerging players focus on organic, non-GMO, and allergen-free products.

Strategic collaborations, sustainable sourcing, and supply chain transparency strengthen competitiveness, driving adoption across food, beverages, sports nutrition, and bakery applications, and fueling market growth worldwide.

Key Industry Developments:

• In April 2025, RELSUS™ launched a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in India and partnered with Aminola® to accelerate the global expansion of sustainable plant proteins. The initiative aimed to increase production capacity, enhance product quality, and support the growing demand for plant-based protein solutions in food and beverage applications.
• In July 2024, Ingredion launched a new pea protein designed to maintain softness throughout the shelf life of cold-pressed bars. The innovation aimed to improve texture and consumer experience in protein snacks, addressing common challenges of firmness and dryness in plant-based bars.
• In May 2024, Roquette introduced its new fava bean protein isolate, NUTRALYS Fava S900M, aimed at expanding plant-based protein options for food manufacturers. The product was developed to offer high solubility, neutral taste, and versatile functionality in applications such as beverages, bakery, and meat alternatives.

Companies Covered in Pulse Protein Market

• Ingredion Incorporated
• Cargill Incorporated
• AGT Food and Ingredients
• Glanbia Plc
• Roquette Frères
• The Scoular Company
• Nutriati, Inc.
• Chick.P
• Aminola
• Farbest Brands
• Vestkorn Milling AS
• Gemef Industries
• A&B Ingredients
• Phyto-Therapy Pty Ltd.
• Maxsun Industries Inc.