Global Demand for High-protein Foods Outpaces Whey Supply
WHO:
ABC News - Kathleen Wolfley, vice president of Ever.Ag Insights
ABC News - Jasper Endlich, Vesper dairy analyst
ABC News - Bryan Morin, sports brand manager at Now Foods
ABC News - Glanbia, an Irish nutrition company
ABC News - Agropur, a Canadian dairy company
WHAT:
ABC News - The average U.S. supermarket has 38,708 products advertising their protein content.
ABC News - Wholesale prices for whey protein began rising in 2024, with an acceleration noted last year and this year.
ABC News - Whey protein concentrate with 80% protein is trading at more than $13 per pound in the U.S., up 250% from a year ago.
ABC News - Whey protein isolate is 150% more expensive than last year.
ABC News - U.S. prices for whey protein concentrate powder have increased by around 15% over the past year.
ABC News - In late May, 80% whey protein concentrate hit a new record average of 26,450 euros ($30,518) per metric ton in Europe, more than double from less than a year earlier.
ABC News - U.S. exports of 80% whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate to China fell 47% from January through April compared to the same period a year ago.
ABC News - Around 6% of obese and diabetic patients in the U.S. and 2% worldwide were using GLP-1 drugs last year.
ABC News - Some estimates suggest GLP-1 use could be as high as 12% of the U.S. adult population.
WHERE:
ABC News - The U.S. and Europe are experiencing shortages of whey protein.
ABC News - Exports of whey protein to China have decreased significantly.
WHEN:
ABC News - Glanbia plans to increase whey protein isolate production in New Mexico, with additional capacity expected by 2027.
ABC News - Agropur intends to increase whey protein manufacturing at plants in Quebec, Nova Scotia, South Dakota, and Wisconsin by 2029.
WHY:
ABC News - The demand for high-protein products is outpacing supply due to increased consumer interest, particularly among athletes and older adults.
ABC News - The use of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs has increased demand for whey protein concentrate as users are advised to consume nutritionally dense foods.
HOW:
ABC News - Milk contains two proteins: casein and whey, with whey being a byproduct of cheese-making.
ABC News - Manufacturers are investing in whey protein production to improve supplies, but relief is not expected to be immediate.
(UPDATED June 14, 2026 17:21 UTC)
The demand for high-protein products is soaring, driven by increased consumer interest among athletes and older adults, as well as the rising use of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs that encourage the consumption of nutritionally dense foods. In response to these trends, Glanbia plans to boost whey protein isolate production in New Mexico, with additional capacity anticipated by 2027, while Agropur aims to expand manufacturing at various plants by 2029. However, despite these efforts, shortages of whey protein persist in both the U.S. and Europe, and manufacturers are investing in production improvements, though immediate relief is not expected.