Okara Market

Global Okara Market Size (2024 to 2029)

Okara market share value is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period 2024-2029 to reach USD 4.92 billion by 2028 and 3.87 billion by 2024.

Okara, also known as soy pulp in English and doufu zha or dou zha in Chinese, refers to the insoluble residue left after filtering soy slurry into soymilk during the production of soy-based foods like tofu. This by product contains approximately 25% protein, 10% lipid, 50% dietary fiber, and various other essential nutrients. Its color is typically yellowish or white. Despite being a byproduct of soy milk production, okara has garnered significant attention as a health food due to its high dietary fiber and calcium content, as well as its rich source of protein, carbohydrates, and potassium. However, its most attractive features lie in its cost-effectiveness and low-calorie count. As a result, okara is believed to offer valuable therapeutic effects in the healthcare, food, and pharmaceutical industries, including the potential to prevent intestinal cancer. East and Southeast Asian cultures have been consuming products derived from okara for more than a millennium, often preparing them in their homes. Thus, the okara market is anticipated to record the fastest CAGR with rising chronic diseases and changing lifestyles.

The rising demands by the end-users in the food industry present untapped opportunities in the Okara market. The rising awareness of the importance of dietary fiber in promoting human health has sparked a growing interest in utilizing okara as a food ingredient. Moreover, the increasing research interest in okara stems from its potential health benefits, including obesity prevention and the ability to lower plasma cholesterol levels. The increasing adoption of okara as a dietary supplement offers promising prospects for market expansion in the forecast period. With its diverse uses and recognized health benefits, okara is positioned to become an attractive and valuable addition to the food industry and consumer diets.

Okara Market Drivers:

The major market drivers in the case of the okara market can be the health benefits associated with okara consumption and the rising demand for okara in the livestock market.

Okara is rich in nutrients, including soluble and non-soluble fiber, calcium, protein, potassium, niacin, and soybean isoflavones. While it contains some anti-nutritional factors, fermentation enhances its digestibility and nutrient absorption. Furthermore, the growing demand for Okara in the animal feed industry is a significant market driver. It is widely used as an ecologically friendly and cost-effective alternative in animal feed, particularly in farms located near soy milk or tofu factories. The rising demand for livestock products contributes to the increased use of Okara in animal diets, leading to expected market growth. For instance, Okara can be incorporated up to 10.0% in broiler diets from 1 to 21 days of age without adverse effects on performance or carcass yield and with improved economic indicators, making it economically viable for the industry. Therefore, the Okara market is expected to expand in the forecast period, driven by its health benefits and demand in the animal feed sector.

Global Okara Market Restraints:

The factors likely to hamper the market growth of the okara market are the high consumption of okara and its multiple alternatives. For instance, excessive consumption of okra can have adverse effects on certain individuals due to the presence of fructans, a type of carbohydrate. Fructans may lead to gastrointestinal issues, including cramping, diarrhea, gas, and bloating, especially for those with existing bowel problems. Consequently, the high intake of okara might hinder the market growth of the okara market. Moreover, the availability of convenient okara substitutes, such as mashed cooked beans or tofu, is expected to pose another challenge to the growth of the okara market during the forecast period.

Global Okara Market Challenges:

Some of the challenges associated with the okara market are the waste generated and the environment's cleanliness during the manufacturing process. For instance, Okara, also known as soybean curd residue (SCR), is a byproduct of tofu production in Japan, amounting to 800,000 tons annually. While it has high-quality protein and is used in Asian cuisines, its perishability makes it challenging to extract nutrients efficiently. Often treated as waste, disposing of it can be costly and time-consuming, posing environmental concerns. This may consider a challenge for market players in the Okara market.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Okara Market:

Businesses across various industries worldwide faced significant disruptions during the global COVID-19 pandemic as governments implemented lockdown measures to contain the spread of the disease. Manufacturing facilities had to temporarily close, leading to production halts. Furthermore, the global availability of okara was impacted due to shortages of raw materials and disruptions in the supply chain caused by import and export restrictions imposed by different countries. When considering the global supply chain, a significant portion of raw materials is imported from China and other developing Asian countries. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has severely disrupted transportation links and distribution mechanisms connecting suppliers, production facilities, and customers. However, the food sector experienced a substantial surge in demand during and after the pandemic, driven by increased consumer demand for natural and organic food supplements. Thus, the okara market has had a positive impact during the pandemic.

REPORT COVERAGE: 

This research report on the Global Okara Market has been segmented and sub-segmented based on usage, nutritional sources, product, application, and region.   

Global Okara Market - By Usage:

• Bread
• Steamed Bread
• Noodles
• Others

Based on usage, the bread segment has dominated the okara market in 2022 and it is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR during the projected period. Using okara, a low-calorie, and fiber-rich foodstuff, in bread preparation resulted in improved nutritional quality. By substituting wheat flour with 5%, 7.5%, and 10% okara, the bread showed enhanced dietary fiber and protein content compared to the control without okara. This substitution can reduce wheat flour usage and address waste disposal issues in the soymilk industries. Thus, bread usage can be predicted to hold most of the market share of the okara market.

On the other hand, in Chinese and Asian diets, noodles and steamed bread are staple foods. Okara powder contains 58.6% dietary fiber, and 15.3% protein, as well as significant amounts of flavones, potassium, calcium, iron, and zinc. The incorporation of okara powder enhances the nutritional profile of noodles and steamed bread, making it a profitable and health-beneficial choice for diabetes patients. Thus, with continuous market trends, steamed bread and noodles are likely to record the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.

Global Okara Market - By Nutritional Sources:

• Protein
• Fat
• Calcium
• Minerals Dietary Fiber

Based on nutritional sources, proteins have dominated the okara market in 2022. This is due to the firmly packed okara which has a composition of approximately 3.5% to 4.0% protein, 76% to 80% moisture, and 20% to 24% solids. After the moisture is eliminated, the gritty okara contains 24% protein and 8% to 15% fats, with 17% of the protein originating from the source soybeans.

Global Okara Market - By Product:

• Tofu
• Soy Milk

Based on the product, soy milk is expected to dominate the okara market during the forecast period. Okara is a byproduct of soy milk production and contains 24.5–37.5% proteins, 9.3–22.3% lipids, 14.5–55.4% crude fiber, and 0.1% isoflavones. Okara is the residual material left after soy milk is extracted from soybeans during the tofu production process.

Global Okara Market - By Application:

• Restaurants and Catering
• Food Processing
• Household
• Others

Based on application, food processing has held the largest market share in 2022 the Okara market. Okara has been extensively researched and finds applications in the food industry. In the food industry, around 47-50% of okara content was found to be ideal for producing okara-based cookies. Incorporating okara led to reduced water absorption in the cookies, but its beany flavor had an impact on the cookies' aroma and taste. Additionally, okara has been introduced in various food products such as cookies, gluten-free flour for baking, and extruded snack foods, all optimized for their respective purposes.

Okara Market - By Region:

• North America 

• Europe 

• Asia-Pacific 

• Latin America 

• Middle East and Africa 

Based on region, the Asia-Pacific region holds a dominant position in the okara market, both in terms of revenue and market share. This is attributed to the rising utilization of okara in food production for human consumption within the region. Additionally, the growing application of okara in livestock products, particularly in Japan and China, is expected to further drive market growth in this region.

North America is projected to be the fastest-growing region during the forecast period, driven by increasing consumer preferences for vegan food products in the region. The rising demand for plant-based food options is contributing to the expansion of the okara market in North America.

Europe on the other hand, to record moderate to fastest CAGR in the forecast period.

KEY MARKET PLAYERS:

Key Market Players of Okara Market are Vitasoy International Holdings Ltd (China), Morinaga Nutritional Foods, Inc. (Japan), STAR SOYA FOOD (India), Schouten (Netherlands), House Foods Group Inc. (Japan), Pulmuone Corporate (South Korea), Midas Soy Nutritions (India), Innpac India Pvt. Ltd. (India), INVIGORATE FOODS (India)

RECENT HAPPENINGS IN THE MARKET:

In December 2022, Baker & McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise) provided legal counsel to House Foods Holding USA, Inc. (House Foods) in its acquisition of Keystone Natural Holdings, LLC (Keystone), a leading US manufacturer of tofu and plant-based products. The acquisition was successfully finalized in September, with Keystone now operating as a specified subsidiary within the House Foods Group.