According to a new market report by research firm Fact.MR, the global nutritional yeast market, currently valued at $430 million, will reach nearly $1 billion by 2032. This popular vegan food, also known as “nooch”, is an inactivated yeast made from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the yeast used in beer production. It is used as a vitamin-rich food additive to improve the flavour of food products (often giving a cheesy flavour). It is often fortified with B12 (not always), which is one of the reasons many vegans sprinkle it in their dishes.
According to the Fact.MR report, increasing awareness of the benefits of nutritional yeast (such as fat-free, gluten-free, low calories, sugar-free, etc.) is expected to drive nutritional yeast sales over the coming years. Currently, the Europe nutritional yeast market accounts for sales of US$ 150 million and a major market share of 35% in the global landscape. Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are projected to be leading on this. In the US, nutritional yeast holds a share of 24.5% in 2022 and accounts for a valuation of US$ 104.9 million. The China nutritional yeast market currently accounts for a value of US$ 35.1 million and a market share of 8.2%. The future would also bring new types of nutritional yeast expanding into new flavours — they are already brands that offer roasted garlic and smoky BBQ flavours. There are also organic versions, and in addition to the classic B12 supplementation, others also have vitamin D2 added. Recommended by many vegan doctors, nutritional yeast has become in many vegan households the universal “condiment” to be added to any dish replacing the traditional salt — which is now a well-known health risk if overindulged. And for those vegans who do not want to take B12 supplements and do not like yeast extract spreads or duckweed, fortified nooch may become an essential food ingredient for their health.
