India’s alternative protein market is rapidly evolving, driven by sustainability goals, health-conscious consumers, and innovation in functional foods and smart proteins. This article explores the current landscape, ingredient ecosystem, product categories, and policy support shaping its future. This article explores the current landscape, ingredient ecosystem, product categories, and policy support shaping its future. The article is authored by Kishore Kumar R. He is a seasoned market researcher at Firstmr Business Analytics with a unique background, ranging from traditional mushroom farming to culinary partnerships with ITC chefs and sports nutrition formulation.
Sustainable Diets and India’s Net-Zero Goal
India is at a crucial juncture in its food system transformation. With its national commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, sustainable diets are no longer optional—they are essential. Alternative proteins are one of the novel strategies to addressing food insecurity, environmental degradation, and health risks associated with conventional food systems.
What are Alternative Proteins?
Alternative proteins—defined as non-animal-derived protein sources—offer a path to reduce pressure on conventional livestock systems, which are often linked to greenhouse gas emissions, land use challenges, and water scarcity. While India is not a country with excessive meat consumption, the per capita availability of meat is at 7.39 kg per annum in 2023-24.
Compared with the USA, it is about 149 kg per capita because meat is not the centre of the plate for Indians. Its vast population and growing middle class create upward pressure on protein demand. This makes the alternative protein sector strategically relevant not only from a food security perspective but also for economic and ecological resilience.
This bar chart, sourced from the UN, clearly illustrates the kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions associated with producing 100 grams of protein from various food sources
Comparative Analysis: Animal-Based Proteins Vs Alternative Proteins
Animal-based proteins generally have a significantly higher carbon footprint than plant-based proteins. Beef tops the list considerably, with 35.5 kg of greenhouse gas emissions per 100 grams of protein. Lamb and shellfish also exhibit high emission levels. Within animal-based proteins, there’s a wide range of environmental impact. Beef and lamb have substantially higher emissions compared to pork, milk, fish, poultry, and eggs. Plant-based proteins consistently demonstrate lower greenhouse gas emissions. Legumes and nuts have the lowest carbon footprints, followed by breads & pastas, tofu, rice & grains, vegetables, and fruit.
Shifting towards plant-based protein sources can significantly reduce the environmental impact of our diets. For instance, choosing tofu, lentils, or nuts over beef or lamb results in a dramatic decrease in greenhouse gas emissions per unit of protein.
Even within plant-based options, there are variations. While all plant-based sources shown have lower emissions than animal-based ones, nuts and legumes appear to be the most environmentally friendly in protein production.
Understanding Alternative Proteins and Types
Alternative proteins are derived from diverse biological sources and are designed to replicate traditional animal-based proteins’ nutritional, functional, and sensory characteristics. These are broadly categorized into:
- Plant-Based Proteins: Proteins extracted from peas, chickpeas, lentils, mung beans, quinoa, and grains are widely used in dairy and meat alternatives.
- Fermentation-Derived Proteins: Mycoproteins and precision fermentation products produced from fungi and microbes.
- Cultivated Proteins: Animal proteins developed through cell cultivation in controlled bioreactors.
- Algae-Based Proteins: Sourced from spirulina and chlorella, these proteins offer high nutritional density. (Not matured at a level of food applications and still at a supplemental level)
- Insect Proteins (emerging): Though not widely accepted in India, they are gaining attention globally.
Each category has different nutritional profiles, techno-functional properties, and cost implications, which influence their application in food processing.
Market availability: Ingredients and Applications
India currently stands with 3000 tons of cereal-derived protein, with wheat gluten being the dominant, and about 140,000 tons of pulse-derived protein, with soy protein leading the line. Around 70 smart protein or alt-protein startups exist, and the availability of commercially viable ingredients is expanding.
Here are some common protein ingredients with forms and applications:
| Protein Source | Application |
| Defatted soy flour, soy protein isolates, concentrates, and hydrolysates | Bakery, meat alternatives, snacks, sports nutrition, and functional foods |
| Chickpea protein | Snacks, sports nutrition and functional beverages, and dairy alternatives |
| Pea Protein flour, isolates | Protein bars, bakery, beverages, sports nutrition |
| Mycoprotein, a fermented biomass | Not in India |
| Spirulina & Chlorella | Powder, extract forms: supplements and beverages |
Source: F1rst, based on research and analysis
These proteins are integrated into a variety of ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat formats for end consumers in both retail and HORECA sectors.
Protein Quality and Digestibility: The Role of PDCAAS
The Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) is a globally accepted method for evaluating protein quality based on human amino acid requirements and digestibility. It ranges from 0.0 to 1.0, with 1.0 indicating the highest protein quality.
| Protein | PDCAAS Score | Limiting amino acid | Digestibility % |
| Soy | 0.92-1.0 | SAA | 95-98 |
| Pea | 0.66-0.91 | SAA, Trp | 83-90 |
| Barley | 0.76-0.50 | Lys | 76-83 |
| Milk | 1.00 | None | 84-94 |
| Whey | 0.90-1.00 | His | 98-100 |
Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154321001678
Understanding PDCAAS helps manufacturers formulate high-quality blends to meet complete protein needs, especially for vegan consumers.
Product categories: Indian market trends and consumer options
Consumer adoption of alternative protein products in India is rising, especially in urban markets. The plant-based segment has diversified into several product categories:
- Plant-Based Milk: These alternatives closely mimic dairy milk’s taste and texture, and are suitable for drinking, cooking, and baking. Popular Brands: Sofit, Goodmylk, SoyFit, Borges Natura, Oat Wow (Urban Platter), So Good.
- Plant-Based Cheese and Yogurt: Brands: Goodmylk (Peanut curd), Epigamia (plant-based yogurt), Axia Foods (cashew yogurt)
- Vegan Butters and Ghee: Used in baking and cooking; consistency mimics dairy fats.
Brands: Rare Earth, Emkay Foods
- Egg Alternatives: Suitable for omelettes, baking, and protein addition. Brands: Evo Foods, Plantmade.
- Other Essentials: Everyday vegan staples readily available in the Indian market: Tofu.
These products are critical in easing the consumer transition to alternative diets, particularly for first-time vegans or flexitarians.
Government Policy and BioE3’s Impact on the Sector
The Indian Government has introduced the BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment), with the strategic intent to establish India as a global biomanufacturing hub by 2047. For the alternative protein ecosystem, this policy is pivotal in:
- Accelerating R&D in novel food technologies (fermentation, cell-culture).
- Creating a pro-startup regulatory ecosystem.
- Driving employment and investment in sustainable bioeconomy sectors.
- Providing fiscal incentives and funding access for biomanufacturing units.
- While the policy offers promise, successful execution will depend on cross-ministerial coordination, robust guidelines from FSSAI, and market awareness initiatives.
Justice and Sustainability During Protein Transitions
The dominant global narrative categorizing all livestock systems as environmentally harmful does not fully align with Indian realities. India’s livestock sector is characterized by:
- Low-intensity, decentralized systems
- Household-based cattle and poultry ownership
- Significant contributions to livelihood and nutrition
Ignoring these systems in favor of industrial protein substitutes may unintentionally marginalize vulnerable rural communities. There is also a lack of scrutiny regarding environmental externalities in alternative protein production, such as:
- Raw material procurement (e.g., soy contributing to deforestation)
- Transportation-related emissions
- Land use for monoculture crops
Hence, policies must balance sustainability goals with socio-economic realities, promoting a just and inclusive transition.
Challenges and Opportunities in the Indian Context
Challenges:
- Consumer Behavior: Traditional dietary preferences and taste barriers
- Raw Material Sourcing: Quality and consistency of plant protein supply
- Regulatory Uncertainty: FSSAI classification of novel foods
- Affordability: Cost competitiveness with conventional products
Opportunities:
- Youth Demographics: Health and sustainability-aware millennials
- Global Export Potential: High demand for plant proteins in the EU, the US, and APAC
- Agricultural Linkages: Crop diversification for pulses and legumes
- Innovation Ecosystem: Active participation from accelerators and incubators
- Private Investment: VC interest in functional and clean-label foods
Strategic Recommendations for Stakeholders
For Manufacturers:
- Focus on improving taste and texture through food tech innovation.
- Develop regionally adapted formulations to match Indian cuisine.
- Secure reliable agricultural partnerships for raw material inputs.
- Invest in digestibility enhancement via enzyme treatment or protein blending.
Suggestions For Policymakers:
- Clarify regulatory guidelines for novel proteins and label definitions.
- Offer incentives for processing infrastructure, particularly for SMEs.
- Include nutrition and sustainability parameters in national food missions.
For Investors:
- Support early-stage innovations in protein science and fermentation.
- Enable scale-up capital for infrastructure, branding, and market access.
Suggestions For Consumers and Civil Society:
- Promote awareness of protein quality and dietary diversity.
- Encourage responsible consumption practices and reduce food elitism.
Building a Sustainable and Inclusive Protein Future
India’s alt-protein sector is poised for exponential growth. But the trajectory must be navigated with nuanced, locally responsive strategies. While technological innovation and policy reforms are necessary, they must be guided by inclusive development principles that safeguard traditional practices, empower farmers, and promote nutritional equity. The livestock sub-sector is crucial to India’s economy and significantly contributes to the socio-economic well-being of numerous rural families. Beyond being a primary source of draught power in rural regions, livestock supplies essential products like milk, meat, eggs, wool, hides, skins, manure, and fuel. It contributes approximately 5.50% to India’s total Gross Value Added (GVA) and a substantial 30.23% to the GVA of the agriculture and allied sector, according to the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying annual report 2023-24.
By combining science, sustainability, and socio-cultural insight, India can establish itself not only as a major consumer market but also as a global supplier and knowledge leader in the evolving landscape of alternative proteins.