Gelatin Market (By Source: Bovine, Porcine; By Function: Stabilizer, Thickener; By Application: Food & Beverages, Healthcare) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Revenue, Regional Outlook and Forecast 2024-2033

The global gelatin market size was estimated at around USD 6.55 billion in 2023 and it is projected to hit around USD 17.21 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 10.14% from 2024 to 2033. The gelatin market in the United States was accounted for USD 1.33 billion in 2023.

Key Pointers

• Europe region led the market with the largest market share of 39% in 2023.
• By Source, the bovine source registered the maximum market share of 35% in 2023.
• By Function, the stabilizer function contributed the largest market share of 41% in 2023.
• By Application, the food and beverages application held the largest revenue share of 57% in 2023.

Gelatin Market Overview

Gelatin, a protein derived from collagen, serves as a crucial ingredient with widespread applications across various industries. Its unique functional properties make it an integral component in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and other sectors.

Gelatin Market Growth

The growth of the gelatin market is propelled by several key factors contributing to its expanding influence across diverse industries. Firstly, the rising demand for natural and functional ingredients in the food and beverage sector has driven the increased utilization of gelatin as a versatile gelling and stabilizing agent. Additionally, the pharmaceutical industry's growth has significantly contributed to the market's expansion, with gelatin being a fundamental component in the production of capsules and drug delivery systems. The cosmetic and personal care sector also plays a pivotal role, leveraging gelatin's film-forming properties for texture enhancement in various products. Furthermore, the heightened awareness of collagen's health benefits has spurred the use of gelatin in the formulation of nutraceuticals and dietary supplements, further propelling market growth. As consumer preferences continue to evolve towards cleaner labels and natural alternatives, the multifunctional attributes of gelatin position it as a favored ingredient, fostering its sustained growth across global markets.

Report Scope of the Gelatin Market

Gelatin Market Dynamics

Gelatin Market Drivers

• Rising Demand for Natural Ingredients: The gelatin market is driven by the increasing consumer preference for natural and clean-label ingredients in various consumer goods, especially in the food and beverage industry where gelatin serves as a natural gelling and thickening agent.
• Expanding Applications in the Pharmaceutical Sector: Growth in the pharmaceutical industry contributes significantly to the gelatin market, as gelatin is a key component in the production of capsules, providing an ideal medium for drug delivery systems.

Gelatin Market Restraints

• Potential Supply Chain Disruptions: The gelatin market is susceptible to potential disruptions in the supply chain, influenced by factors such as disease outbreaks among livestock, trade restrictions, or other unforeseen events that may impact the availability of raw materials.
• Substitution by Plant-Based Alternatives: The growing popularity of plant-based alternatives poses a challenge to traditional gelatin products. Consumers are increasingly seeking plant-derived alternatives, prompting the industry to explore and develop plant-based gelatin substitutes.

Gelatin Market Opportunities

• Rising Demand for Collagen Supplements: The increasing awareness of the health benefits associated with collagen has created opportunities for the gelatin market in the production of collagen supplements. The market can capitalize on this trend by developing innovative formulations targeting skin health, joint support, and overall well-being.
• Innovation in Vegetarian and Vegan Alternatives: Recognizing the growing demand for plant-based products, there is a significant opportunity for the gelatin market to innovate and develop vegetarian and vegan alternatives. Exploring plant-derived sources and developing comparable functionalities can cater to a broader consumer base with diverse dietary preferences.

Source Insights

The bovine source held the largest revenue share of 35% in 2023. This prominence is a result of the escalating utilization of bovine-based gelatin across diverse food and beverage applications. The market's growth is further fueled by the global surge in demand for dietary supplements, driven by consumers' increasing preference for a health-conscious and protein-rich diet.

Conversely, the market for bovine gelatin faces challenges due to the growing prevalence of vegan lifestyles worldwide, coupled with a decline in the slaughtering of animals such as cows and buffaloes. This shift is evidenced by a 2% reduction in commercial cow slaughtering in 2020 compared to 2019, as reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Additionally, major producers, including Australia, New Zealand, and the European Union, experienced a decrease in bovine meat output due to limited animal availability, as highlighted by OECD-FAO. These factors collectively pose potential obstacles to the overall growth of the market.

Porcine-based gelatin, a traditionally utilized product, is sourced from pork skin and bones. The National Health Service (NHS) notes that the use of porcine-based products, particularly in vaccines and capsules, serves as a stabilizer, ensuring efficacy and safety, especially during storage and post-storage periods. This utilization is anticipated to be a key driver for the market's growth in the foreseeable future.

Function Insights

The stabilizer function had the largest market share of 41% in 2023. This notable share can be attributed to the exceptional properties of gelatin, particularly its emulsifying effects. Additionally, gelatin serves to enhance food texture, providing a desirable body to various food products. Its role extends to ensuring product uniformity and consistency while retaining flavoring compounds in dispersions. These versatile properties position gelatin as an ideal stabilizer for a wide range of products, including ice creams, margarine, spreads, dairy items, salad dressings, and mayonnaise.

Beyond its stabilizing function, gelatin plays a crucial role as a thickener, elevating the viscosity of solutions or mixtures without altering their inherent properties. As a food additive, gelatin contributes to enhancing taste and improving the suspension of other ingredients, thereby increasing overall product stability. Its incorporation into diverse food types such as soups, salad dressings, sauces, and gravies underscores its versatility in the culinary realm. Moreover, the utilization of thickeners in cosmetics and personal care products is anticipated to be a key driver for market growth in the foreseeable future.

Gelatin boasts additional functions, including its use for texturing, acting as a protective agent, and serving as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers, crucial for stabilizing emulsions, find increasing application in various food items such as bread, meat, chocolates, and ice creams. This expanding use of gelatin as an emulsifier is expected to further fuel market growth in the coming years.

Application Insights

The food and beverages application generated the maximum market share of 57% in 2023. This significant share is primarily attributed to the escalating demand for a diverse array of food and beverage products worldwide, encompassing desserts, functional food items, functional beverages, confectionery products, and meat products.

The surge in popularity of functional food products is noteworthy, as these items offer enhanced nutritional properties that contribute to various health benefits, including improved immunity and reduced fatigue. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a heightened awareness of health, diet, and wellness among consumers, leading to a more conscious connection between eating habits and overall health. Notably, the demand for immunity-boosting products experienced a notable increase in response to the pandemic, a trend expected to persist and positively influence the market growth for functional food in the coming years.

Furthermore, gelatin finds substantial utility in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, playing a crucial role in the manufacturing of capsules, emulsions, syrups, and tablets. Its properties, including film-forming, thermo-reversible gelling, and adhesiveness, make it a preferred choice among manufacturers for capsule production. Moreover, gelatin holds approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in pharmaceutical and healthcare applications, further solidifying its position in these critical sectors.

Regional Insights

Europe region dominated the market with the largest market share of 39% in 2023. This regional dominance is attributed to robust demand from key end-use industries, including cosmetics, food and beverages, and healthcare. The growth trajectory in the region is further accentuated by the presence of numerous manufacturing companies, such as Biogel AG, Prowico, and Gelita, among others.

The sourcing of gelatin in the United Kingdom commonly involves bovine or porcine origins, aligning with the high consumption levels of pork and beef in the region. The demand for gelatin in the U.K. is notably driven by the escalating sales of cosmetic products. Furthermore, the well-defined and established meat processing industry in the country contributes favorably to raw material sourcing for gelatin production. The convergence of well-established market players and abundant raw material supply is anticipated to stimulate production in the United Kingdom throughout the forecast period.

Key Companies

• GELITA AG
• Rousselot
• PB Leiner
• STERLING GELATIN
• Weishardt Holding SA
• Junca Gelatines SL
• Nitta Gelatin, Inc.
• PAN Biotech GmbH
• Shanghai Al-Amin Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
• Tessenderlo Group

Gelatin Market Segmentations:

By Source

• Bovine
• Porcine
• Poultry
• Marine
• Others

By Function

• Stabilizer
• Thickener
• Gelling Agent
• Others

By Application

• Food & Beverages
  • Functional Foods
  • Meat Processing
  • Functional Beverages
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Confectionery
  • Desserts
• Healthcare
• Cosmetics
• Others

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa