Tyson Invests in Insect Protein: Tyson, one of the major players in the US meat industry, is venturing into the realm of insect-derived protein. The company announced its investment in Protix, a Netherlands-based insect ingredients manufacturer.
While Tyson is taking a minority stake in Protix, it’s also partnering with the company to establish a factory in the United States. This facility will employ black soldier flies, which will be fed on animal waste and then transformed into food for pets, poultry, and fish. However, these flies won’t find their way into human diets just yet.
John R. Tyson, Tyson Foods’ chief financial officer, explained, “Today, we’re focused on more of [an] ingredient application with insect protein than we are a consumer application.” Insect protein, lauded for its sustainability, hasn’t become mainstream for human consumption. Nonetheless, there’s been increasing interest in using insects as ingredients in animal food.
A 2021 report from Rabobank predicted that the demand for insect protein, mainly for animal feed and pet food, could reach half a million metric tons by 2030, up from the current market of around 10,000 metric tons. In 2021, Mars introduced a line of cat food made from insects, called Love Bug.
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While Tyson doesn’t produce pet food, it does sell animal byproducts for use in the pet food and aquaculture market, which feeds fish. By sending cattle stomach contents to a Protix facility, Tyson can reduce waste and create a potentially lucrative revenue stream. For the company, this initiative represents an extension of its existing business. Tyson emphasized that the insect ingredient market boasts “really attractive growth characteristics.”
Christine Johanna Picard, a professor of biology at the Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis School of Science, noted that the market for insect ingredients is growing at an exponential pace. Picard helped establish the Center for Environmental Sustainability through Insect Farming, a collaboration involving Tyson and Protix.
The meat industry carries a significant environmental burden due to the land, water, and energy required to produce animal feed. Reducing the environmental impact of animal feed is a step toward a more sustainable system. Insect-based food production offers one such solution, as insects require less space and can thrive on discarded waste.
The black soldier fly, which can feed on a wide range of food waste and byproducts, plays a crucial role in waste management. Reza Ovissipour, an assistant professor in sustainable food systems at Texas A&M University, described insects as “mini bioreactors” that can efficiently convert waste into valuable protein and fat for animal diets, contributing to sustainability.