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Summary of our market study
The global market for edible insects, estimated at $1.4 million, is growing by 20% a year. This growth is facilitated by increasing recognition of the nutritional benefits of insects and their potential contribution to food security.
Around 2 billion people worldwide are entomophagists, mainly in regions such as Asia-Pacific, South America and Africa.
Social acceptance and regulatory challenges, particularly in Europe where legislation is complex and varies from country to country, are major obstacles to market expansion.
Innovations in primary processing and the B2B segment, such as Ÿnsect and Innovafeed in the animal feed sector, are driving market growth.
Reluctance and gradual acceptance of edible insects on the French market
The market for edible insects, a practice known as entomophagy, while promising in nutritional terms and environmentally sustainable, faces considerable challenges in terms of social acceptance in France.
In France, the concept of eating insects is still widely rejected. Some 70% to 40% of the French population is very reluctant.
Among the small proportion of French citizens who have already eaten insects, the majority see it as an experiment rather than a transformation of their diet. between 90% and 77% of French people have never tried eating insects. Only 5% are willing to consider eating insects.
Nevertheless, the market for edible insects is growing, particularly when insects are incorporated into flavored snacks and pastries, or used as hidden ingredients.
The market for edible insects and insect-based products in France is mainly focused on animal feed.
The French market remains marginal, at just a few million euros, and is hampered by both cultural attitudes and regulatory barriers that have made the commercial sale of edible insects officially illegal.
Edible insect market players
- Micronutris Founded in 2011 by Cédric Auriol, Micronutris has positioned itself as an innovator and pioneer in the French edible insect market. The company is present at all stages of the supply chain, from breeding to distribution, including primary and secondary insect processing.
- Nutri'Earth Specializing in mealworm flour, Nutri'Earth is aimed at companies that prepare recipes with the end consumer in mind, especially senior citizens.
- Ynsect has made a name for itself in the global industry of insects for animal feed rather than human consumption. With plants throughout Europe and plans for expansion in the United States, Ynsect is paving the way for a sustainable protein revolution in animal feed.
- Innovafeed produces large volumes of insect meal for livestock. Its state-of-the-art facility in Nesle is ready to increase production.
- Jimini's is a prime example of a market processor that has successfully exploited the processing and retail segment. The company offers a range of products from natural and flavored insects to more appetizing products such as energy bars and pasta.
- Inoveat: A unique company in the foodservice sector, Inoveat sources ingredients from companies such as Micronutris to create innovative dishes.
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Summary and extracts
1 Market overview
1.1 Definition and scope of study
Edible insects refer to the all insects intended for human consumption . This human consumption of insects is called the entomophagy
While edible insects are therefore by definition related to human food, this study also addresses, to a lesser extent, the market for insects for animal feed to highlight the distinctions between the two sectors
There are 4 main steps in the edible insect and insect product chain livestock, primary processing (production of ingredients), secondary processing (production of food products) and distribution . Market participants operate at one or more of these stages
However, the two main barriers to market development are, on the one hand, the social acceptance insects as food and, on the other hand, regulatory barriers, the marketing of edible insects being officially illegal in France .
As the market is in its infancy and regulatory barriers are still present, there are few players in the French sector. At the French level, the market is still marginal, but changes in legislation should mark the acceleration of its development. In addition, insect processing appears to be a solution allowing the gradual acceptance of insects as food. The most developed company is Micronutris The company was founded in 2011 and has distinguished itself as a pioneer in this market. In addition, France stands out in the general insect breeding sector, notably with Ÿinsect and InovaFeed, whose products are intended for animal nutrition
The world marketplace of edible insects was estimated at 500 million in 2019 and is expected to grow at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 19.7% between 2019 and 2025 . The FAO has identified 1,900 species of edible insects in the world and insects would be part of the traditional meals of at least 2 billion people s, mainly in Asia Pacific, South America and Africa
List of charts presented in this market study
- Êtes-vous familier avec la tendance des insectes dans la restauration ?
- Avez-vous déjà goûté des insectes ?
- Seriez-vous prêts à manger des insectes ?
- Réponses de la population française à la question "Que pensez-vous de l'idée de consommer des insectes ?"
- Pourcentage de personnes réfractaires selon le sexe
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Latest news
Insects : Invers boosts production capacity - 31/07/2023
- Invers was founded in 2016, employing 30 people.
- The company expects sales of 3 million euros this year, a threefold increase on every year since it was founded.
- Invers raised €15 million a year ago.
- Invers has just commissioned a breeding unit in a 4,000 m² building in Saint-Ignat, Puy-de-Dôme.
- This rearing unit will produce up to 5 billion insect larvae every month.
- Invers has invested 8 million euros to install this new rearing unit and 1.5 million euros to increase its capacity to transform insects into ingredients for animal nutrition.
- With its new rearing facility, Invers will be able to supply 25 farmer-breeders.
- The company signs a ten-year contract with these farmers.
- The meals produced by Invers are used by the animal feed industry.
Innovafeed raises flies on a production line in the Somme with AI - 09/05/2023
- French start-up specialized in insect-based protein production, launched seven years ago.
- Innovafeed's technology uses the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) to create animal and plant proteins.
- Innovafeed has raised up to €450 million from investors including US food giants Cargill and Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM), the Qatar Fund and the Mulliez family.
- The black soldier fly used by Innovafeed can multiply its weight by 10,000 in just two weeks.
- The company has secured one billion euros in contracts between now and 2030.
- Innovafeed has invested 25 million euros in the extension of its Nesle site, which should reach over 50,000 m2 of floor space on completion.
- Innovafeed plans to replicate its model in Illinois, USA, with the opening of a plant in 2024.
Reglo Pet Food raises 1.8 million euros in funds - 14/10/2022
- Fundraising of 1.8 million euros
- Only sold online, the company's products will now be available in Monoprix stores
Innovafeed insects ready to feed fish and poultry - 20/09/2022
- The French start-up is positioning itself on the backyard chicken feed market in the United States.
- It made a name for itself by breeding beetles to produce powder used in feed for farm animals and pets
- Acquisition of Jord Producers, an American company that raises mealworms and sells them whole (live or dried) to backyard hen owners.
- market estimated at 400 million euros in the U.S
- Ÿnsect has raised over 360 million euros since its creation in 2011
- plant producing insect-based ingredients for animal feed near Amiens, France
Carrefour Market: Tomojo, the insect petfood brand - 18/05/2022
- Tomojo available in 66 Carrefour Market stores in and around Paris
- The production of a kilo of insect meal creates 100 times fewer CO2 emissions than a kilo of beef, and requires 200 times less water than a kilo of poultry
- Croquettes de Tomojo are made in Mayenne, France
- 85% of their ingredients are of French origin
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