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Whey protein prices surge amid rising demand for alternatives
The price of concentrated whey protein (WPC 80) has surged by 90% to 105% over the past year, according to StoneX. In the European Union, prices for the raw material reached a record 22,000 euros per ton in early May.
This price spike and rising demand are driven by several factors, including the widespread use of GLP-1 class medications for obesity and type 2 diabetes. While these drugs reduce appetite, they also increase the risk of muscle mass loss, leading health professionals to recommend protein supplementation. In the United States, over 12% of the population uses these medications.
Additionally, the food industry is undergoing a 'proteinization' trend, with Euromonitor projecting a 50% growth in protein-added products by 2026. The global protein ingredients market is expected to grow from US$ 83.14 billion this year to US$ 121.53 billion by 2031.
In Brazil, one of the world's largest consumer markets for protein supplements, whey protein retail sales grew by 124% between January and October 2025. However, supply is struggling to keep pace with demand due to a lack of industrial infrastructure capable of producing high-protein whey at the required scale.
Entities
Atlhetica Nutrition · Euromonitor · MarketsandMarkets · McKinsey · StoneX
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Whey protein retail sales in Brazil grew by 124% between January and October 2025. leianoticias.com.br · dicaappdodia.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] GLP-1 class medications used for obesity and type 2 diabetes can increase the risk of muscle mass loss. portal.comunique-se.com.br · leianoticias.com.br · dicaappdodia.com · oglobo.globo.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] More than 12% of the United States population uses GLP-1 class medications. portal.comunique-se.com.br · leianoticias.com.br · dicaappdodia.com · oglobo.globo.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Whey protein prices reached a record 22,000 euros per ton in the European Union in early May. portal.comunique-se.com.br · leianoticias.com.br · dicaappdodia.com · oglobo.globo.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The global protein ingredients market is projected to reach US$ 121.53 billion by 2031. portal.comunique-se.com.br · leianoticias.com.br · dicaappdodia.com · oglobo.globo.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Concentrated whey protein (WPC 80) prices increased by 90% to 105% in the last year. portal.comunique-se.com.br · leianoticias.com.br · dicaappdodia.com · oglobo.globo.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Insufficient industrial capacity exists to meet the current global demand for high-protein whey. leianoticias.com.br · dicaappdodia.com