21 Muscle-Building Protein Powder Statistics for 2020

As far as nutritional supplements go, protein powder seems to be the most famous of them all, especially among the younger generations.

In this article, we bring to you some surprising protein powder statistics that will back up our claims and provide insight into the reasons behind the aggressive market growth of this industry.

The use of protein supplements is no longer restricted to sports and fitness enthusiasts.

From muscle growth to weight loss and even recovery after strenuous exercises, there are countless protein powder health benefits.

In fact, the protein powder market has adapted to cater to vegans and vegetarians as well, which is also fueling its growth.

Top 10 Protein Powder Stats for 2020

The global protein supplement industry was valued at $17.55 billion in 2019.
The protein powder market holds 64% of the total market share in terms of revenue.
Protein powder is the most-consumed nutritional supplement in gyms.
Online sales dominated the global market in 2019, with a share of 59.5%.
The global egg protein powder market exceeded the $6.9 billion mark in 2019.
India’s whey protein market is projected to grow with a CAGR of 24.3%.
Soy protein demand is growing with a CAGR of 7.20% through 2019–2025.
Hemp protein is 98% digestible, which makes it a high-quality protein.
Animal-based protein powders dominate market sales.
The global market value of pea protein was 215.5 million in 2019.

General Protein Powder Statistics

1. The global protein supplements market was worth $17.55 billion in 2019.

(Grand View Research, Springer Link)

The global protein supplements market was valued at $7.7 billion in 2016 and was expected to reach $9 billion by 2021. However, the growth of the protein industry exceeded expectations, reaching almost double the expected growth by 2019.

2. The protein supplements industry is expected to grow with a CAGR of 8% between 2020–2027.

(Grand View Research, Springer Link)

According to a 2017 report by Business Consulting, the predicted annual growth rate for the protein supplements market was 4%. However, the market growth rate doubled by 2019 and is expected to maintain its CAGR of 8% for the next eight years.

(Grand View Research)

Factors such as increasing demand from the fitness sector, rising online sales, and popularity of weight-loss powder seem to fuel the growth. The market is expected to expand because of the rising demand from bodybuilders, casual exercisers, and fitness experts.

4. 66.8% of the total market sales are attributed to sports protein powder.

(Grand View Research)

Protein powder’s ability to aid muscle recovery is the leading driving force behind its popularity in the sports sector. With the predicted growth of the global supplements industry, it’s safe to say the demand for different protein powder types is set to increase as well.

5. Protein powders are the most widely reviewed products in the sports nutrition industry.

(Lumina Intelligence)

According to a Lumina Intelligence report, protein powders hold the optimum nutrition market share, with a total of 411 brands and 1174 variants across different countries and regions. It was also the category that attracted the most customer reviews, amounting to 1.62 million global reviews and an average of almost 950 reviews per product.

(Grand View Research)

Around 59.5% of the global protein powder sales in 2019 took place online. Here’s the answer for all those wondering how to sell protein powder. The demand for 24/7 availability of products, variety of options, and ease of access all drive the popularity of online protein powder sales.

7. Animal-based protein powders dominate market sales.

(Grand View Research)

67.9% of the overall revenue from sales in 2019 came from animal-based products, as per protein powder sales statistics. The fact that they are complete sources of protein is what makes whey, egg, and casein powders incredibly popular. Egg yolk protein powders are also used in various bakeries and restaurants for coating and frying.

8. The North American protein powder market generates the highest revenue.

(Grand View Research)

In North America, the use of protein powder for weight loss and increasing health consciousness seems to be driving the market’s growth. As of 2019, the North American region held a revenue generation share of 50.3%. However, it faces tough competition from the Asia Pacific region, which is fast-growing and expected to expand at a CAGR of 8.6% over the next seven years.

9. Whey protein powder is leading the sales in China.

(Nutra Ingredients Asia)

Protein powder sales make up 70% of the overall sports nutrition product sales in China. The best protein powder of 2019 in China was Tmall’s Platinum Whey Powder. The product broke all records by generating $1.01 million in revenue during the pre-order stage.

Protein Powder Consumption Statistics

10. Protein powder is the most-consumed nutritional supplement in gyms.

(Research Gate)

This is according to a survey of 415 individuals, out of which 56% attested to having consumed a dietary supplement at some point in their lives. The research identified five popular supplement powders, out of which protein supplements were the most consumed, at 28%, followed by L-carnitine, sports drinks, creatine, and vitamin complex, at 18.6%, 18.3%, 17.1%, and 17.1% respectively.

11. The global egg protein powder market crossed the $6.9 billion mark in 2019.

(Global Market Insights)

Much like an egg, the egg protein powder market is divided into the egg yolk and egg white protein powder markets. The egg yolk market alone is expected to exceed $2.1 billion by 2026. Together, the two drive the egg protein powder market’s growth by a CAGR of over 5.5% over the next seven years.

12. The United States sports protein powder market was worth $4.14 billion in 2018.

(Statista)

The United States protein powder sales statistics indicate steady growth for the market over the forecast period 2020–2025. The United States protein powder market grew from $0.32 billion to $4.46 billion in one year.

13. The sports protein powder category makes up 70% of the US sports nutrition industry.

(Food Navigator USA)

The US sports nutrition industry is a currency worth $6.7 billion, and as per sports nutrition statistics, protein powder sales make up 70% or $4.7 billion of the market. Include the sports and energy drink and nutrition bar category to the sports nutrition industry, and it is all set to cross the $20 billion mark by 2020.

Protein Powder Statistics by Type

14. The global whey protein powder market is expected to reach $15.4 billion by 2024.

(Statista)

The global market for whey protein was valued at $9.97 billion in 2018. It is expected to grow by over 90.5% in the forecast period of the next six years. The growth is driven mostly by its benefits for weight loss as it prevents fat gain. The research also indicates that whey isolate protein powder may be more beneficial than normal whey protein.

15. The whey protein market in India is set to grow with a CAGR of 24.3%.

(Business Wire, The Insight Partners)

A business intelligence report by Business Wire predicts India’s whey protein market to reach $1,977.1 million by 2022, up from $828 million in 2018. The Whey protein powder market size in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% through 2019–2027. The growth is driven by the rise in the Indian fitness supplements market, which is expected to reach a CAGR of 18% by 2023.

16. The global market value of pea protein was 215.5 million in 2019.

(Grand View Research)

The use of pea protein in dietary supplements, beverages, and bakery goods is going to drive market growth. Over the period 2020–2027, the global pea protein market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.6%. Pea protein powder benefits are also driving market growth in the United States after the dip in 2017.

17. Soy protein demand to grow by a CAGR of 7.20% through 2019–2025.

(Industry ARC)

The soy protein market is segmented into soy protein meat, protein powder, and isolate nutrition markets. The industry’s main driving factor is the rise in demand for plant-based supplemental protein and its role in lowering the risk of heart diseases by tackling high cholesterol levels in the body.

18. Casein protein market to exceed $5.9 billion by 2023.

(Industry Arc)

Major growth drivers of the casein protein market are the sports nutrition market and the dietary supplement market. In the Americas alone, the overall market, including that of casein protein powder, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 1.5% and value $2.9 billion by 2023.

Protein Powder Health Benefits and Nutritional Facts

19. Hemp protein is 98% digestible, which makes it a high-quality protein source.

(YourSuper.com)

Hemp is a complete source of plant-based protein with all nine essential amino acids. Hemp protein powders are even more beneficial as they contain 20 amino acids that aid the body in building muscle, vital organs, and tissues. Aiding the fat burning process and significantly improving metabolism are also two major hemp protein powder benefits.

20. Whey protein can lower blood pressure.

(Health Line)

Whey protein powder is a high-quality protein source and is generally considered the best among all others, as it is a low-calorie protein powder. A 12-week study on overweight individuals found that regular intake of 54 grams of whey protein powder per day decreased blood pressure by 4%. Drinking 22 grams of whey protein concentrate for six weeks also brought significant improvement.

21. Pea protein powder is a rich source of iron.

(Health line)

Pea protein powder can help you meet around 28–42% of the body’s required daily intake of iron. It can be particularly beneficial for women, as nearly 10% of American women are iron-deficient. It may not be the best tasting protein powder, but it is a good vegan option.

FAQs

What protein powder is the healthiest?

Whey protein powders are the healthiest and the highest-quality sources of proteins. They are milk-based powders that are easy to digest and feature quick absorption rates. It is also a low carb option that makes it an excellent choice for weight loss.

How much is the protein industry worth?

The global protein market values $38.02 billion and is all set to rise at a CAGR of 9.1% over the next seven years. The global protein supplement market holds $17.55 billion worth of market share and is also set for aggressive growth, especially the protein powder market. In the United States alone, it valued $4.46 billion.

When to use protein powder?

Protein powder is useful for various reasons, and the ideal time to consume it depends largely on the purpose of intake. If you are consuming protein powder for weight loss, then the ideal time is to have it in between meals to curb cravings.

If muscle gain is your goal, consuming it shortly after a workout is the best option. Athletes should take protein powder right before or after an intense workout regime as the ideal way to boost muscle recovery and enhance performance.

Conclusion

The rising awareness about health issues and adaptation of a healthier lifestyle is fueling the aggressive market growth of protein powders. Globally, protein powder consumption is fueled by the transition to a healthier lifestyle, and regular gym workouts are quickly becoming a trend, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.

Among the various types of protein powders, whey protein powder benefits exceed those of others in animal-based sources. Hemp-based protein powders are the most beneficial in plant-based sources. Their nutty taste and nutritional profile make them incredibly popular among users.

In the United States, online sales and virtual markets, in particular, are aiding the market’s growth. Protein powder statistics show massive growth potential and the aggressive growth of the protein powder industry. The product is gaining popularity not only among fitness trainers but also among nutrition experts.