World earthworm meal market volume was worth USD 487.2 million in 2023. There was year-after-year growth of 7.8% in the demand for earthworm meal during 2024, and it was safe to assume that world market volume would be worth USD 561.7 million during 2025. Overall sales will accelerate at a rate of 7.8% annually from 2025 until 2035, eventually landing on USD 1,190.3 million during 2035.
Demand for earthworm meal is because of the need for green and sustainable products in pet foods, fertilizers, and animal feed. Earthworm meal is rich in protein, with excellent digestibility and an ideal amino acid ratio and thus a very valuable product in fish and animal feeds. It is also utilized as a natural, organic substitute for chemical fertilizers, and this has stimulated the agro industry as well.
Growing interest in sustainability and reducing the environmental footprint of conventional farming and feed stocks will be a major force behind future demand for earthworm meal. Organic applications of earthworm meal and their beneficial impact on soil fertility and crop yields are in increasing demand around the world.
| Attributes | Description |
|---|---|
| Estimated Global Earthworm Meal Industry Size (2025E) | USD 561.7 million |
| Projected Global Earthworm Meal Industry Value (2035F) | USD 1,190.3 million |
| Value-based CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 7.8% |
Earthworm meal is being used more and more as a green, high-nutrient, environmentally friendly product for application as fertilizer and animal feed. As there is a global boost in sustainability and organic farming, the application of earthworm meal, better known, derived from earthworms, is called for. Earthworm meal contains high protein, enzymes, minerals, and other growth promoters in great demand worldwide for application as animal feed or soil fertilization.
Second, the higher concentration of amino acids and proteins in earthworm meal as a measure of high-quality nutritional value is in higher demand from pet food firms. With increased concern for natural, high-quality ingredients in pet food by pet owners, there will be a growing need for earthworm meal as a high-quality feed component.
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The below provided table is comparative study of the difference in six-month CAGR of the base year (2024) and the respective year (2025) in the global earthworm meal market. The study is usable in the sense that it represents humongous differences in performance and shows trends of realization of revenues, thus enabling stakeholders to realize the true reflection of the pattern of growth in the year. First half year (H1) = Jan-Jun, and second half (H2) = Jul-Dec.
| Particular | Value CAGR |
|---|---|
| H1 (2024 to 2034) | 7.3% |
| H2 (2024 to 2034) | 7.4% |
| H1 (2025 to 2035) | 7.5% |
| H2 (2025 to 2035) | 7.8% |
The market would grow at a CAGR of 7.5% in the first half (H1) of the period 2025 to 2035 and then at a comparatively higher CAGR rate of 7.8% in the second half (H2) of the period. The second part of the decade witnesses’ growth rate improvement through increased consumption of earthworm meal as animal feed and organic farming. In the first half (H1) of the decade, there is a 20 BPS growth in the market, but in the second half (H2), the company will witness a more rapid increase of 30 BPS.
This increasing need for cleaner and healthier alternatives in the vast majority of industries puts earthworm meal on the road to ecologically friendly supremacy over the forecast time horizon. Nutritional value as well as green use will drive boom in growth in the production of earthworm meal. Regulatory hurdles, competition from alternative protein sources, and cost of production will be faced by manufacturers eager to reap profits from this new sector.
International earthworm meal market concentration is moderate with multinational corporations, regional producers, and emerging Chinese entrants. The market is driven by increasing demand for sustainable protein alternatives to animal feed, aquaculture, and organic fertilizers. Regional producers are dominant players in the supply chain, providing increasing demand for alternative protein ingredients.
The home-based firms own the market share in target markets such as Europe, Asia-Pacific, and North America. Medium and small North American businesses dominate the market share in production of high-quality earthworm meal targeting poultry, pet food, and aquaculture industries.
Locally increasing numbers of local business enterprises have mushroomed in Canada and the United States concentrating in organic and eco-friendly production tapping increasing consumer appetite for green sources of proteins. These companies prefer to deal with agri and aquaculture firms in a bid to integrate earthworm meal into animal feed systems.
Markets for the likes of Europe, France, Germany, and the Netherlands are front-running. Within Europe, an expansion of sustainable agriculture and other protein sources raises the need for earthworm meal. A presence of stringent regulation, quality, and product development science is a matter of concern to such companies within this marketplace in order to optimize earthworm meal for use by animals at a higher nutritional level.
India and Thailand are better positioned geographically in the Asia-Pacific region with numerous regional earthworm meal manufacturers. India has a robust vermiculture sector that is well-suited for earthworm meal production for agriculture and aquaculture applications. Thailand is an emerging country, where domestic firms manufacture high-protein earthworm meal that is utilized by fish and shrimp farms due to growing demand for low-cost substitutes for feed.
Chinese companies dominated the global earthworm meal market with huge production capacity and low-cost processing. China became a giant earthworm meal supplier in both domestic and global markets. Chinese companies prefer high-yielding production modes and reasonable prices and are therefore sustainable producers in global supply chains.
Increased Use of Earthworm Meal as Aquaculture Source of Feed
Shift: Since earthworm meal is finding increased use as an aquaculture source of feed, aqua farmers are shifting towards alternate proteins like earthworm meal. Unlike fishmeal that devastates the marine ecosystem, earthworm meal is a low-cost, high-density, eco-friendly source of nutrients with increased digestibility and amino acids.
Strategic Response: Earthworm meal-based feed is being manufactured by aquafeed firms to avoid fishmeal reliance. Entobel and Protix have partnered Southeast Asian tilapia and shrimp aquaculture farms to market high-protein earthworm meal as a material for shrimp and tilapia feeds, enhancing feeds and fish growth efficacy by 20%. Norwegian firm Calysta is manufacturing a new protein feed line that uses earthworm meal for salmon aquaculture in sustainable fisheries.
Developing Functional Food and Supplements from Earthworm Protein
Shift: Functional foods and supplements are increasingly sought after, which is, in turn, driving demand for new protein sources with enhanced nutritional content and bioavailability. Earthworm meal contains a very high level of lumbrokinase, collagen, and essential amino acids and hence is attractive to athletes, vegans, and health-conscious individuals.
Strategic Response: Health food companies are launching earthworm-based protein powders and supplements to cater to fitness and wellness markets. Jimini’s introduced an earthworm protein powder in the UK, showing a 28% increase in repeat purchases among gym-goers.
In the US, Entomo Farms is researching earthworm peptides for muscle recovery and formulating ready-to-drink protein shakes. Asian nutraceutical brands are incorporating earthworm meal extracts into traditional herbal medicine blends for cardiovascular health and inflammation reduction.
Earthworm-Originated Bioactive Compounds for Wound Healing & Skincare
Shift: Scientific research has established that earthworm extracts have bioactive compounds such as lumbrokinase, collagen peptides, and antimicrobial agents that have the ability to stimulate wound healing, blood circulation, and anti-aging skincare. This has created interest for pharmaceutical and personal care companies in search of natural, effective ingredients.
Strategic Response: Pharmaceutical companies are investing in lumbrokinase derived from earthworms as a medicine for thrombosis. Japan's AstaReal is using earthworm-derived collagen in anti-aging capsules with 15% increase in customer orders.
Cosmax of South Korea launched skincare serums containing earthworm extract for the sensitive skin and anti-aging segment. Chinese and Indian traditional medicine companies are marketing earthworm-derived ointments and tonics for skin rejuvenation and wound healing.
Increasing Consumer Skepticism Regarding Ethical and Safety Concerns
Shift: While insect-based and plant-based sustainable proteins are embraced by the consumer, earthworm proteins are not embraced by the consumer due to societal attitudes, taste problems, and little knowledge of their nutrient value. Consumers need to be better educated about earthworm meal food safety, nutritional value, and processing before it can be widely accepted.
Strategic Response: Businesses are choosing transparency and educating customers to fight skepticism. Ynsect launched an awareness campaign throughout Europe for clean, sustainable production of earthworm protein for the pet food and human markets, and grew consumer confidence by 22%.
North American business people like Aspire Food Group are partnering with universities to scientifically research the health advantages of earthworm protein. Foodpreneurs in China and Thailand, however, are selling earthworm products in upscale restaurants, adding alternative proteins to regular meals.
Specialty & Premium Livestock and Poultry Nutrition Growth
Shift: As more and more consumers ask for free-of-antibiotics chicken, beef, and milk from organically raised animals, natural, high-quality, highly digestible substitutes for feed are requested by farmers and also by food producers. Earthworm meal is the eco-friendly answer par excellence to enhance gut health, immune system, and muscle gain in the animal.
Strategic Response: Organic and range dairy, poultry, and livestock production facilities produce outstanding earthworm-based animal feeds by companies. Belgian company Humare developed a protein-fortified blend of earthworm meal to use as broiler feed, speeding growth by 12%.
USA-based company Grubly Farms is manufacturing earthworm-based feeds to sell to environmentally friendly chicken farms in response to demand for antibiotic-free chicken eggs and meat. In Kangaroo Island, Australia, Free-Range Eggs added poultry feed with earthworm meal, and egg quality and integrity were enhanced, thereby establishing consumers' confidence in organic eggs.
Increasing Demand for Earthworm Meal as a Functional Food Ingredient & Fermented Food Ingredient
Shift: Functional food and beverage international market is expanding, and consumers look for natural foods that are dietary sources of protein, probiotics, and bioactive compounds with the ability to promote the gut health as well as immune system. Previous studies suggest earthworm-derived amino acids and peptides improve muscle regeneration, digestion, and immune function and can be an emerging functional beverage ingredient or a fermented food ingredient.
Strategic Response: Food scientists are targeting earthworm-based ingredients as functional foods and super drinks. Earthworm protein drinks and protein-fortified drinks are in the research and pilot testing phase for European and USA sport drink market by Bugsolutely and Hargol FoodTech.
Earthworm-derived collagen peptides are being produced by South Korean functional beverage industries to be formulated for beauty drinks. Japan's nutraceutical market is studying fermented earthworm extract to be employed as a probiotic to be added in gut health-based products.
The following table shows the estimated growth rates of the top five territories expected to exhibit high consumption of earthworm meal through 2035.
| Countries | CAGR, 2025 to 2035 |
|---|---|
| USA | 5.1% |
| Germany | 7.6% |
| China | 9.9% |
| Japan | 8.2% |
| India | 9.5% |
As the USA earthworm meal market increases, interest is growing in developing sustainable, high-protein feed for livestock, aquaculture, and pet food. As concerns mount about the reliance on soy and fishmeal, earthworm meal is quick becoming a popular feed with high nutrient content and a low environmental footprint.
Moreover, the growing emphasis on organic farming along with sustainable animal nutrition is fuelling demand for protein supplements derived from earthworm in poultry and aquaculture sectors.
The market share of earthworm meal in Germany is steadily increasing due to EU legislation that encourages sustainable animal nutrition and organic feed formulas. In pet food but also poultry / fish farming, there is a real need for quality, traceable and sustainable protein sources. Germany leads the way on reducing overfishing and land degradation by developing precision protein extraction technologies (for example, from insect and worms) with manufacturers.
The market for earthworm meal in China is increasing sharply, driven by strong needs for sustainable protein elements for aquacultural feed, poultry nutrition and organic fertilizers. As government-directed support is given to alternative protein sources, local companies are increasing their production of earthworm-based protein and bioactive extract.
China’s rapidly expanding aquaculture sector and growing emphasis on sustainable farming further drive demand for economical, protein-rich inputs such as earthworm meal.
Japan’s earthworm meal market is driven by the country’s emphasis on various functional animal nutrition products and also organic fertilizers and soil enhancement solutions. Fish, and farmers who want to breed plants together, as well as in natural farming, prefer pure worm meal for livestock feed, aquaponics, and natural farming, and the manufacturers of these supply them in Japan.
Further research through Japan continues to innovate in terms of biotechnology and fermentation processes with earthworm-derived protein supplements which can be fortified with vitamins and minerals suitable for high-end pet food and specialty aquaculture feed.
The native market for earthworm meal in India is booming thanks to heightened consumer demand for organic farming, sustainable poultry feed, and high-protein livestock supplements. Which is why the need for low-cost, high-performance animal nutrition, is growing. Manufacturers driven by government policies on sustainable agriculture and alternative protein research are increasingly scaling up the production of Earthworm Meal based feeds and biofertilizers.
| Segment | Value Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Aquaculture & Livestock Feed (By Application) | 64.1% |
Earthworm meal intake in aquaculture and animal feed keep increasing dominance, where the segment holds 64.1% market share by 2025. Oligochaete, the earthworm species, is considered to be the best the protein source because of its well-balanced amino acid profile, high digestibility and essential amino acid content, thus making it a great feed material for finfish, shrimp, poultry and livestock.
The market for protein feeds from worms has risen owing to the shift to sustainable aquaculture and organic poultry feeds, as well as with the new formulations of alternative protein animal feeds.
With the demand for sustainable, high-quality animal protein increasing, more manufacturers are incorporating increasing amounts of earthworm meal that is nutrient-optimized blends in order to enhance the growth performance and well-being of farmed animals.
Simultaneously, with substantial scientific evidence underpinning application of worm protein in aquaculture and animal feed is driving the expansion of the markets. Sustainability has become one of the priority areas in the animal feed industry, and in the coming years, world demand for the aquaculture and livestock feed sector will keep reporting innovation, investment, and large-scale uptake across global markets.
| Segment | Value Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Pet Food & Organic Fertilizers (By Application) | 35.9% |
As a result of an increasing trend for premium, protein-rich pet food and organic fertilizers among consumers, pet food and organic fertilizer segment is likely to hold a 35.9% market share in 2025. Grubbing earthworm meal into grain-free pet food, high-protein animals, and organic soil enhancers have become the primary direction of development.
With increasing interest in sustainability, companies are looking towards the natural protein sources to develop sustainable pet food formulations as well as agriculture solutions for regenerative farming. This shift to premium, ethically produced ingredients has opened up avenues of new sources of food, including earthworm-based proteins and fertilizers in pet foods, livestock feed and (organic) agriculture.
Earthworm meal biostimulants are also applied to soil conditioning and crop yield enhancement for added fertility and disease resistance. Sustainability principles and practices are increasingly infiltrating the wider agricultural sector, so this sector is set to continue expansion, diversification, and global uptake as the sustainable and organic agriculture movement continues to grow.
The competition keeps on enlarging in the earthworm meal market and therefore the key players focusing on scaling production processes, sustainable sourcing, and diversified applications in terms of animal feed, pet food, and fertilizers. On the side, thousands of companies are pouring money into new and advanced drying, processing and protein extraction technologies.
The major players operating in the industry are Entree Feed Corporation, Nutrition Technologies, Ynsect, Protix, and Vermitechnology Unlimited among others. The Asia-Pacific and European distribution networks of many companies are being expanded to serve the growing demand for sustainable protein solutions.
These will allow the creation of a range of product lines, running partnerships with organic farmers, large-scale investments in earthworm cultivation, and design of bioactive protein concentrates. Moreover, manufacturers are focusing towards processing methods using less carbon, and eco-friendly packaging solutions.
For instance:
The global earthworm meal industry is projected to reach USD 561.7 million in 2025.
Key players include Mazuri; Anphu Earthworm Co., Ltd; Agricare Organic Farms Ltd; Taj Agro International; Kiryu Co., Ltd; Allworms Bio-Tech Co., Ltd.; XABC Biotech Co., Ltd.
Asia-Pacific is expected to dominate due to high demand for sustainable aquaculture and organic feed solutions.
The industry is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% from 2025 to 2035.
Key drivers include rising demand for alternative protein sources, increasing adoption in sustainable aquaculture and poultry nutrition, and growing interest in organic fertilizers for regenerative agriculture.
The market offers products in various forms, including Powder, Pellet, and Liquid, ensuring versatility for different applications.
These products are widely used in industries such as Aquafeed, Poultry Feed, Pet Food, Animal Feed Supplements, and Fertilizer, catering to diverse agricultural and commercial needs.
The market is segmented as North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, East Asia, South Asia & Pacific, Central Asia, Russia and Belarus, Balkan & Baltic Countries, Middle East and Africa.
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Earthworm Meal Market
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