The Europe defatted wheat germ market is projected to grow from US$ 33.70 million in 2024 to US$ 53.45 million by 2031; the market is expected to register a CAGR of 6.8% during 2025–2031. The surging population of plant-based diets and veganism is a prominent trend in the market.
The Europe defatted wheat germ market is expanding with the growing number of consumers becoming health-conscious and seeking functional foods that offer nutritional benefits. This trend is evident in the rising incorporation of defatted wheat germ into products such as baked goods, cereals, and nutritional supplements. The defatting process not only reduces fat content but also preserves the wheat germ's health benefits, such as its high vitamin E content, appealing to health-conscious consumers. Europe is one of the largest markets for baked goods worldwide. The demand for whole-grain bread, gluten-free baked products, and low-calorie baked products is growing. As the demand for nutritious and functional food ingredients grows, defatted wheat germ is expected to meet consumer preferences.
Defatted wheat germ is significantly used in the animal feed industry across Europe. Livestock owners in the region are adopting healthy feed ingredients to produce healthy, quality, and nutritious animal meat products. Furthermore, Europe is known for various animal stocks and high demand for meat. As per the Eurostat (European Union), Europe had nearly 146 million pigs, 76 million bovine animals, and 75 million sheep and goat stock. Such a huge stock of livestock animals requires enough animal feed, which is increasing the demand for healthy feed ingredients such as defatted wheat germ. Thus, the growing livestock industry in the region boosts the demand for defatted wheat germ.
Defatted wheat germ is readily available as a byproduct of the wheat germ oil industry. However, the utilization rate of defatted wheat is considerably less and most of it is treated as a waste. Recently, due to its high protein and fiber content and unique flavor, it is witnessing strong demand from the food & beverages industry. Moreover, it is also gaining traction as a substitute for corn and soybean meal in the animal feed industry. Thus, defatted wheat germ is an emerging and lucrative market expected to grow significantly in the coming years.
The demand for defatted wheat germ in the animal feed industry in Europe is rising due to its nutritional benefits, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. The ingredients are rich in protein, fiber, and essential fatty acids and are increasingly being incorporated into livestock and pet feed formulations.
The shift toward more sustainable and nutritious animal feed ingredients is rising in the region. Defatted wheat germ is an excellent alternative to traditional protein sources such as soy and fishmeal, which are often more expensive and resource-intensive. As the cost of raw materials rises, defatted wheat germ offers a cost-effective solution while maintaining high protein content, which is essential for the growth and health of animals. The rising awareness of animal welfare and the shift toward plant-based feed further boost the requirement for defatted wheat germ in Europe. As per the European Feed Manufacturers' Federation, farm animals in the EU27 consumed an estimated 644 million tons of feed during 2021–2022, of which ~23% were produced by compound feed manufacturers. Thus, the growth of the animal nutrition industry drives the defatted wheat germ market.
As farmers and feed manufacturers in Europe prioritize sustainability and the reduction of environmental impact, defatted wheat germ, a byproduct of wheat milling, fits well within the circular economy model. It utilizes an otherwise underused resource, making it an eco-friendly choice in animal feed production. Therefore, the growing emphasis on cost-effective, sustainable, and nutritionally rich animal feed fuels the increased demand for defatted wheat germ in Europe.
The demand for functional ingredients that support health and wellness is rising with the expanding pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries and the emerging value of defatted wheat germ. Rich in vitamins, minerals, protein, and essential fatty acids, it provides a natural and highly nutritious addition to various health-related products, offering a broad range of benefits. The nutraceutical market in Europe, which includes dietary supplements, functional foods, and beverages, is experiencing rapid growth. The rising awareness of preventive healthcare has fueled this sector, as consumers seek products that promote long-term health and well-being rather than focusing solely on treating diseases. Moreover, surging shift toward using more natural ingredients in supplements, defatted wheat germ is becoming an attractive choice.
In the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries, defatted wheat germ serves as an effective bulking agent due to its rich nutritional profile, which includes fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Bulking agents are essential in the formulation of tablets, capsules, and powder-based supplements, as they provide the necessary volume and ensure proper consistency, making them easier to handle and digest. In the nutraceutical sector, defatted wheat germ is used to enhance the nutrient density of supplements. Its protein and fiber content make it a popular choice for weight management, digestive health, and muscle recovery products, while contributing to the bulk and texture.
Overall, defatted wheat germ is valued for its ability to improve the physical properties of formulations while offering additional health benefits, positioning it as a versatile and functional bulking agent in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries.
Key segments that contributed to the derivation of the Europe defatted wheat germ market analysis are product type and distribution channel.
Livestock farming is growing with increasing meat consumption in France. Moreover, the demand for high-quality animal feed in Germany is increasing. Animal breeds in France are highly preferred worldwide for meat and other meat-related products. This has led to higher exports of animals from the country, propelling the demand for high-nutritional animal feed. According to the Syndicat National de l'Industrie de la Nutrition Animale (SNIA) (an organization in France for animal feed), poultry feed and pig feed were among the largest animal feed products in the country in 2023, accounting for 7.8 million tons and 4.3 million tons, respectively, an increase of 1.5% and 5.4% from the previous year. Producers of conventional animal feed use 11% byproducts of the grain sector, such as wheat bran and defatted wheat germ.
In the food and beverage industry, defatted wheat germ finds its primary applications in bakery products, snacks, breakfast cereals, and nutritional supplements in the country. It is widely used to enhance the nutritional profile of these products, offering a rich source of plant protein, which caters to the growing plant-based diet trend in France. Additionally, its high fiber content makes it a valuable ingredient in functional foods aimed at promoting digestive health.
The regional trends and factors influencing the Europe Defatted Wheat Germ Market throughout the forecast period have been thoroughly explained by the analysts at Insight Partners. This section also discusses Europe Defatted Wheat Germ Market segments and geography across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and South and Central America.
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Market size in 2024 | US$ 33.70 Million |
| Market Size by 2031 | US$ 53.45 Million |
| Global CAGR (2025 - 2031) | 6.8% |
| Historical Data | 2021-2023 |
| Forecast period | 2025-2031 |
| Segments Covered |
By Form
|
| Regions and Countries Covered | Europe
|
| Market leaders and key company profiles |
The Europe Defatted Wheat Germ Market market is growing rapidly, driven by increasing end-user demand due to factors such as evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements, and greater awareness of the product's benefits. As demand rises, businesses are expanding their offerings, innovating to meet consumer needs, and capitalizing on emerging trends, which further fuels market growth.
Market players density refers to the distribution of firms or companies operating within a particular market or industry. It indicates how many competitors (market players) are present in a given market space relative to its size or total market value.
Major Companies operating in the Europe Defatted Wheat Germ Market are:
Disclaimer: The companies listed above are not ranked in any particular order.
The Europe defatted wheat germ market is evaluated by gathering qualitative and quantitative data post primary and secondary research, which includes important corporate publications, association data, and databases.
The "Europe Defatted Wheat Germ Market Share and Forecast (2021–2031)" report provides a detailed analysis of the market covering below areas:
A surging population of plant-based diet and veganism is expected to emerge as a future trend in the market during the forecast period.
The growing demand for defatted wheat germ in the food and beverage industry and the robust growth of the animal nutrition industry in Europe drive the market growth.
The market is expected to register a CAGR of 6.8% during 2025–2031.
Calyx Commodities; Garuda International, Inc; PHM Brands; British Aqua Feeds c/o DNA Baits Ltd; Woodland Gourmet; KUNHUA BIOLOGICAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.; and Casillo S.p.A are among the key players operating in the market.