Europe Defatted Wheat Germ Market Size and Growth 2031

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.

Europe Defatted Wheat Germ Market Analysis

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.

Europe Defatted Wheat Germ Market Overview

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.

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Europe Defatted Wheat Germ Market: Strategic Insights

Europe Defatted Wheat Germ Market

• Market Size
  US$ 53.45 Million by 2031
• Market Size
  US$ 33.70 Million in 2024

Market Dynamics

GROWTH DRIVERS

• Growing Demand for Defatted Wheat Germ in Food and Beverage Industry
• Growth of Animal Nutrition Industry in Europe

FUTURE TRENDS

• Surging Popularity of Plant-based Diet and Veganism

OPPORTUNITIES

• Growth of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Industry

Regional Overview

• Europe

Market Segmentation

Form

• Powder
• Flakes
• Granular

Application

• Food and Beverages
• Animal Nutrition
• Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals

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Europe Defatted Wheat Germ Market Drivers and Opportunities

Growth of Animal Nutrition Industry in Europe

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.

Growth of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Industry

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.

Europe Defatted Wheat Germ Market Report Segmentation Analysis

Key segments that contributed to the derivation of the Europe defatted wheat germ market analysis are product type and distribution channel.

• Based on form, the market is segmented into powder, flakes, and granular. The flakes segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.
• By application, the Europe defatted wheat germ market is segmented into food and beverages, animal nutrition, and pharmaceutical & nutraceuticals. The food and beverages segment is expected to dominate the market in the coming years.

Europe Defatted Wheat Germ Market Share Analysis by Country

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.

Europe Defatted Wheat Germ Market Report Scope

Europe Defatted Wheat Germ Market News and Recent Developments

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.

Europe Defatted Wheat Germ Market Report Coverage and Deliverables

The "Europe Defatted Wheat Germ Market Share and Forecast (2021–2031)" report provides a detailed analysis of the market covering below areas:

• Europe defatted wheat germ market trends and forecast for all the key market segments covered under the scope
• Europe defatted wheat germ market trends, as well as market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, and key opportunities
• Detailed Porter's Five Forces and SWOT analysis
• Europe defatted wheat germ market analysis covering key market trends, country framework, major players, regulations, and recent market developments.
• Industry landscape and competition analysis covering market concentration, heat map analysis, prominent players, and recent developments for the Europe defatted wheat germ market
• Detailed company profiles