Whey Protein Shortage Hits Small Brands as Prices Jump 250% Above $13 a Pound
Updated
Updated · Toronto Star · Jun 19
Whey Protein Shortage Hits Small Brands as Prices Jump 250% Above $13 a Pound
3 articles · Updated · Toronto Star · Jun 19
Summary
Whey protein concentrate topped US$13 a pound in mid-June, up 250% from a year earlier, squeezing small food and supplement makers that rely on the ingredient.
Demand has surged as high-protein diets spread on social media and GLP-1 weight-loss drugs push consumers toward nutrient-dense foods, while whey supply cannot expand quickly because it is tied to cheese production and finite milk output.
Canadian Premier Supplements said client orders fell about 35% after it passed through higher costs, and Flourish Pancakes said margins have taken a 10% to 20% hit even without major supply disruptions.
HelloAmino is reformulating 12 of about 30 products after a supplier backed out, mixing in other proteins and nutrients as whey isolate quality and availability worsen.
Agropur has announced a C$1 billion capacity investment and Saputo has expanded whey output, but economists say new supply will take time, leaving businesses to consider cheaper alternatives such as pea, soy and hemp protein.