What is insect farming?
Insect protein production: Insects are increasingly being considered as a new source of protein, both for human consumption and animal feed. They are rich in protein and vitamins.
Scientific research: Insects are used in many areas of research, including biology, genetics, medicine and ecology.
By-product production: Some insects produce substances such as silk (by silkworms), honey (by bees), and certain food colourings (by cochineal). Others are involved in producing fertilisers or biofuels.
Applications of insect farming
Insect farming involves raising a large number of insects in a controlled environment for various purposes. The most commonly farmed insects are silkworms, bees, crickets, mealworms, and black soldier flies. The goals of insect farms are varied.
These sectors vary in size. If we focus on insect farming as a source of protein, the largest market is the production of dog and cat food, accounting for more than half of the sector. The production of feed for farmed animals, mainly for aquaculture, takes second place. Sectors such as exotic animal feed production and human food are comparatively smaller.
Human consumption
Although this field may seem recent, the history of human consumption of insects, or entomophagy, dates back several millennia. Archaeological evidence suggests that humans have been consuming insects for over 30,000 years. In many cultures, particularly in Africa, Asia, and America, the consumption of insect protein is part of the regular diet. However, in Western countries, this practice remains marginal due to its low social acceptability.
A growing sector
Global market
The global insect farming market is currently in a growth phase, particularly since the publication of a FAO report by the UN in 2013 (Food and Agriculture Organization). This report highlighted the advantages of insects over meat, as well as the fact that they can feed on waste, and could potentially replace conventional animal feed such as soy. While global turnover is difficult to estimate due to a lack of reliable data, in 2023, it is estimated that the sector had already obtained around $2 billion in investment.
Market in France
France’s insect farming sector is spearheaded by companies such as Ÿnsect, Innovafeed and Agronutris. Ÿnsect’s flagship production facility in Poulainville is the world’s largest vertical insect farm.
The specific size of the sector in France is difficult to quantify precisely, as it is a relatively new and rapidly evolving industry. However, the presence of large-scale players such as Ÿnsect and Innovafeed, along with the growing number of other companies in the sector, suggests that France is a significant player in the global insect farming market.
French companies receive both private funding and public money. Ynsect has received over 500 million dollars in funding, including from the Public Investment Bank. They also benefit from direct support from public research organizations such as INRAE. Innovafeed, for its part, has secured $250 million from a Qatar-based investment fund.
Some examples of major players
InnovaFeed (France): Produces insect-based proteins for animal feed and pet food.
Protix (Netherlands): Provides insect-based proteins for pet food.
EnviroFlight (United States): Focuses on black soldier fly larvae for animal feed and biomaterials.
HEXAFLY (Ireland): Specializes in insect protein for human consumption.
Global Bugs (Thailand): A producer of edible insects in Asia.
Sustainability issues
A major driver of the sector's growth is the perception of insects as a sustainable alternative to traditional livestock. However, recent studies question the environmental and economic promises of this sector.