Raw pea protein powder has seen accelerated application and development in recent years. In addition to producing the more common plant meat products. Such as plant milk, plant-based ice cream and so on. They can be developed using pea protein powder as a raw material. In addition to functional foods, snack foods, staple foods, etc. are directions that can be further developed.
As a more advantageous plant-based raw material, pea protein has also received the attention of many brands. The market size is also expanding. In fact, from the perspective of sustainable development and health needs, pea protein may cover most food categories. It is just that the related products are yet to be further developed. For the pea protein market to develop further, raw materials and technology also need to keep up with the requirements.
Developing plant meat products
Pea protein is a high-protein ingredient isolated from peas. Raw pea protein powder has become an emerging category as plant-based proteins continue to rise. Many brands are exploring the potential of pea protein further. An increasing number of food products made from pea protein are also in the rise, bringing more options for plant-based protein products.
One of the more iconic foods is plant-based meat. A common ingredient in plant-based meat is soya protein. However, as the plant-based meat market grows, new plant-based meat ingredients are being developed and utilised, and bulk pea protein powder is a popular one.
According to market data published by Research and Markets, the global meat substitutes market size was $4.8 billion in 2020. The global meat substitutes market is expected to reach $17.5 billion by 2027. The market is growing at a CAGR of 15.1% from 2020-2027. Plant-based meat of pea protein powder wholesale became a very hot track in the previous years. Although the heat has declined, it is still being watched by many brands.
The reason why pea protein has become an ingredient for plant-based meat may be related to the need to improve the taste and nutrition of plant-based meat. On the one hand, some studies have shown that pea protein is richer in the more typical legume amino acids, vitamins and dietary fibre. Moreover, it is lactose and cholesterol-free. And pea protein isolate powder also has the advantages of being low in calories, GMO-free, lower in soya flavour and less likely to cause allergies. On the other hand, one of the challenges in the development of plant-based meat is how to more closely resemble the taste of meat.
Developing plant-based ice cream
Compared to plant-based meat and plant-based milk, plant-based ice cream may have a relatively smaller market size. However, in recent years, the number of plant-based ice creams has begun to increase, and many large brands have been 'testing the waters' of plant-based ice cream.
From the current plant-based ice cream market, it may also be precise that this market has not yet begun to roll. And this has certain development opportunities, for the brand is an opportunity. And with the market education of plant-based meat and plant-based milk, the emergence of plant-based ice cream is not so difficult to accept, there is a certain consumer base.
While much of the ice cream on the market is cow's milk-based, the emergence of plant-based offers a new option for many consumers. Currently, plant-based ice creams available in the market are mainly made from oats, soya beans, rice, coconut milk, etc. There are still many plant-based ingredients that have yet to be explored and utilised.
As for consumer acceptance of plant-based ice cream, sales are also favourable. From Global Food & Beverage Trends to China's Juice Market on Trend shows that 70 percent of consumers who choose plant-based believe it is 'good for the environment' and 'better for their health'. The plant-based dairy market continues to grow, with plant-based ice cream totalling 73 kilotonnes globally by 2022, growing at a CAGR of 93%.
China's plant-based ice cream market is in its infancy, providing consumers with an indulgent and light product experience. Overall, the development of plant-based ice cream has certain prospects. In addition to the plant-based ingredients mentioned above, new plant-based ingredients are also a key focus for brands to develop in the future.
Pea protein as an ingredient that has a low bulk fermented pea protein and is less likely to cause allergies. This could be a good option as well.
Although pea protein is now used more in the development of plant-based meat products, more plant-based milk and plant-based ice creams made with raw pea protein powder may emerge under its more prominent product characteristics. And the introduction of pea protein ice cream will also be a future direction.
Developing plant-based milk products
In addition to plant meat, plant milk is also a fast-growing category in the plant protein market. According to the '2020-2025 China Plant Protein Beverage Industry Market Demand and Investment Planning Analysis Report' released by the Prospect Industry Research Institute, the average annual growth rate of the plant milk industry is expected to remain above 20% in the next few years. It is expected that the market size of plant milk will exceed 300 billion yuan in 2025.
Plant milk is not unfamiliar, long before the emergence of 'plant milk' products. However, at that time, it was more commonly known as a plant protein drink. Nowadays, plant milk has also been upgraded in terms of technology. Some of the more representative plant-based milks in the market today include oat milk, soya milk, coconut milk and almond milk.
These plant milks are more common from the point of view of raw materials. Consumer awareness is also relatively high. This is mainly because most plant-based milk brands have developed their products based on raw pea protein powder. While entering the above plant-based milk tracks may be relatively smooth, there are new challenges for brands. In particular, competition between similar products may become more intense.
While pea protein may be a relatively new ingredient, its nutrition and taste provide the basis for development. This favours brands launching plant-based milk products based on pea protein. Pea protein plant-based milk are also starting to appear in the plant-based milk market today.
There are several plant-based milk products developed with pea protein and other plant proteins. Products like Bolthouse Farms' plant-based milk with 10g of pea protein per serving and protein ketone drinks made with coconut milk and pea protein. Bulk powders pea protein is also increasingly being used by brands and this type of product is likely to increase further in the future.
Guanjie Biotech has focused on bulk pea protein powder. It is a light yellow powder. As a leading health ingredient powder manufacturer and supplier in China, we ensure that every stage, from raw materials to the final product, adheres to the highest quality raw pea protein powder standards. For inquiries or to buy pea bulk supplements, please contact us at info@gybiotech.com.
