Whey protein shortage looms as use of weight-loss drugs fuels global demand

The growing popularity of weight-loss drugs has fuelled global demand for whey protein, sparking concerns among industry experts over a potential shortage.

The price of whey has risen fivefold to record levels as companies race to secure supplies amid a boom driven by growing use of GLP-1 drugs, such as Mounjaro, which often require higher protein intake to preserve muscle mass.

Health advice emphasising protein consumption has also contributed to the rise in demand.

Whey protein is derived from milk during the cheese-making process. It contains all nine essential amino acids and is easily absorbed by the body, making it a popular, high-quality supplement for supporting muscle growth and recovery.

It has become particularly important for people taking GLP-1 weight-loss medications because these drugs can reduce appetite and lead to lower overall food intake. Health professionals often advise GLP-1 users to increase their protein consumption to help preserve muscle mass while losing weight.

Prices for food-grade whey powder across north-west Europe have risen to approximately €1,700 (£1,469) per tonne, the highest level on record. Since the start of the year, prices have increased by more than 50%, according to DCA Market Intelligence data.

Data from Vesper, a commodity intelligence platform for dairy, shows the price of a tonne of whey protein with a concentrate of 80% has risen from £4,302 in June 2023 to £23,751 in June this year.

Jasper Endlich, an analyst at Vesper, said: “If you look at overall supply and demand, the market is still finding a home for the product, but there’s clearly a shortage in the sense that people want more than there physically is available. Manufacturers would like to produce more and build safety stocks, but they haven’t been able to do that.

He added: “The good news is that the market is responding … We’re seeing new production plants open … Where products may once have contained only whey protein, some are now using blends with a small amount of milk protein mixed in. The overall protein content remains broadly similar, but the ingredient cost can be half or even a third of the price. There are ways for companies to manage the pressure while supply catches up.”

A report from the US Department of Agriculture’s dairy market news highlights a tightening whey protein market, particularly for whey protein concentrate (WPC) 34%, a commercial dairy ingredient containing approximately 34% protein, for which prices are rising across the board and the strongest increases are at the top end of the market.

Some suppliers are already sold out for the rest of 2026, indicating significant pressure on inventories. One manufacturer is expected to stop producing WPC 34% after the summer, which market participants believe will further reduce availability.

Small businesses say they are struggling as a result. Erika Tamayo, the founder of the protein brand Hermosa, who sources her ingredients from UK farmers, said: “On the last two years, we’ve noticed every quarter the price is soaring up. We are managing to source protein, but we’re buying it at double the cost compared to last quarter. We still have stock from our last order and won’t immediately pass that on to our clients, but at some point I will have to.

“We are now all fighting for stock allocation. Some of the bigger companies have absorbed all the price increases as they’re all trying to get market share and grow their businesses. Bigger players have more possibilities, so they don’t have to compromise. For a small business with a small range of products, it is harder. We don’t want to compromise on being a luxury and premium product.”

She added: “Once GLP-1s started soaring, people realised how important protein is in their diet. Then loads of products in mainstream supermarkets started adding whey protein to everything – popcorn, crisps, even protein doughnuts. Everything now has protein in it because of the focus on diets.

“The challenge is managing lead times and availability. Every quarter we have to wait and see how much supply is available, while also buying months in advance to make sure we don’t run out of stock.”