ROCKVILLE, MD, September 2, 2026 — The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030, released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on January 7, 2026, recommend prioritizing protein at every meal while emphasizing whole, healthy and nutrient-dense foods. The guidance gives added relevance to food formats that combine familiar pantry use with higher protein content, including fortified nut and seed spreads.

The development comes as brands and retailers test ways to bring protein beyond shakes, bars and supplements. Fact.MR estimates the Protein-Fortified Nut & Seed Spreads Market at USD 640 million in 2026, with revenue projected to reach USD 1.395 billion by 2036, expanding at an 8.1% CAGR.

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Why are protein-fortified spreads gaining attention?

Protein-fortified nut and seed spreads are entering a category that already has established breakfast and snacking habits. Instead of asking consumers to add another product to their routine, brands can increase protein content within a familiar spoonable format.

This positioning is important for grocery category managers. A protein spread can sit alongside conventional peanut butter and other pantry spreads rather than being restricted to sports-nutrition shelves.

Fact.MR identifies pantry protein reformulation as the strongest near-term demand driver, with an estimated +2.4% impact on CAGR. Grocery shelf testing follows at +1.9%, as retailers assess whether consumers will trade into spreads that offer higher protein without abandoning familiar taste and texture.

The opportunity is therefore less about creating a new consumption occasion and more about modifying an existing one. Brands that can deliver higher protein while preserving spreadability have a clearer route into routine pantry use.

Which ingredients and claims are leading the market?

Peanut is projected to account for 38.0% of the base segment in 2026, making it the leading foundation for fortified spreads. Its established association with peanut butter and broad consumer familiarity reduce the barrier to trial compared with less familiar nut or seed combinations.

Whey/dairy protein leads the protein-source segment with a projected 37.0% share in 2026. Its strong recognition among sports-nutrition consumers gives brands a familiar protein proposition, while pea and soy proteins provide alternatives for plant-based and cost-sensitive formulations.

High-protein claims are expected to hold 34.0% of the claim segment in 2026. The claim is straightforward for shoppers to compare across jars, while no-added-sugar, vegan and keto/low-carb positioning provide additional routes for differentiation.

The formulation challenge is texture. Higher protein levels can thicken spreads or create a dry mouthfeel, meaning protein selection has to be evaluated alongside fat content, sweetness, flavor masking and spoonability.

Analyst Perspective

S.N. Jha, Principal Consultant at Fact.MR, said:

“Protein-fortified spreads attract attention when the product still behaves like nut butter. The next stage is expected to depend on texture proof across whey, pea and soy systems. Stronger suppliers should combine protein documentation, allergen control and taste work before asking retailers for wider shelf space.”

The comment highlights a key commercial consideration. Protein content alone may attract initial attention, but repeat purchases depend on whether the fortified product maintains the sensory characteristics consumers expect from a spread.

Market Snapshot

2026 market value: USD 640 million.
2036 projected value: USD 1.395 billion.
Forecast CAGR, 2026–2036: 8.1%.
Absolute opportunity: USD 755 million.
Leading base: Peanut, with 38.0% share in 2026.
Leading protein source: Whey/dairy protein, with 37.0% share.
Leading claim: High-protein, with 34.0% share.
Leading distribution channel: Grocery & mass, with 39.0% share.
Fastest-growing profiled market: Australia, at 9.8% CAGR through 2036.
The market is projected to add USD 755 million in absolute opportunity between 2026 and 2036.

What's Driving Near-Term Demand?

The January 2026 release of the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030 provides a relevant policy backdrop for protein-forward food development. Fact.MR notes that the guidelines recommend prioritizing protein at every meal while emphasizing whole, healthy and nutrient-dense foods.

Allergen management is another commercial factor. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's January 2025 guidance addresses questions surrounding food-allergen labeling, with milk, peanuts, tree nuts, soy and sesame among the major allergens relevant to formulations in this category.

For manufacturers, this creates a documentation requirement alongside formulation development. Nut, seed, dairy and soy inputs can introduce multiple allergen considerations, making cross-contact controls and accurate labeling increasingly important for retail acceptance.

Other demand factors include no-added-sugar positioning, protein-source diversification and online trial packs. Fact.MR estimates no-added-sugar claims at a +1.5% impact on CAGR, while protein-source diversification contributes approximately +1.3%.

Which countries offer the strongest growth opportunities?

Australia is projected to grow at 9.8% CAGR from 2026 to 2036, the fastest rate among the profiled countries. Online grocery trial and premium health-food retail are identified as important factors supporting adoption. The United States follows at 9.4%, supported by peanut supply scale and mass retail reach.

Canada is forecast to expand at 9.2% CAGR, while the United Kingdom is projected at 8.9%. The Netherlands follows at 8.7%, and Germany at 7.5%.

The regional differences suggest that the route to market will vary. Australia and the United Kingdom offer strong conditions for online product discovery, while the United States provides the largest opportunity to translate familiar peanut-butter behavior into mass retail adoption.

What are the main barriers for manufacturers?

Nut-cost volatility is estimated to have a -1.1% impact on CAGR, making peanut, almond and cashew input costs an important margin consideration. Allergen-labeling complexity contributes another -0.9% impact.

Texture and taste tradeoffs remain a formulation challenge. Protein fortification can increase thickness, introduce bitterness or create a dry finish, while sugar and fat perceptions can complicate positioning in mainstream grocery.

This creates a relatively narrow product-development target: the spread must deliver a meaningful protein claim while continuing to behave like the product consumers already know.

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About the Report

The Fact.MR study evaluates protein-fortified nut and seed spreads across Base, Protein Source, Claim and Distribution.

The base analysis covers peanut, almond, seed blends, and cashew and other nuts. Protein sources include whey/dairy protein, pea protein, soy protein and blended proteins. Claims analyzed include high-protein, no-added-sugar, vegan and keto/low-carb.

Distribution channels covered include grocery and mass, online/DTC, and specialty and sports nutrition. Geographic coverage includes North America, Europe, South Asia and Pacific, and Oceania, with country-level analysis for Australia, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Netherlands and Germany.

Key companies profiled include Hormel Foods Corporation — SKIPPY, Once Again Nut Butter, Nuts 'N More, American Dream Nut Butter, Pintola and MYFITNESS.

The study draws on 120+ sources, 35+ company portfolios, 25+ countries and more than 20 industry interviews. Its methodology combines primary research with government statistics, regulatory publications, company information, market sizing, forecasting and data validation.

For additional information on the research approach, see the Fact.MR research methodology.

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About Fact.MR

Fact.MR is a market research and consulting firm providing industry intelligence across consumer goods, food and beverages, healthcare, technology, chemicals and materials, industrial goods and other sectors. Its research process combines primary industry interviews with secondary data, company information, government sources and industry publications to develop market estimates and forecasts.

Fact.MR operates as an initiative of Eminent Research and Advisory Services, with offices listed in Rockville, Maryland, United States, and Dublin, Ireland.

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Disclosure: This release is based on FMI syndicated research. Market figures represent estimates and forecasts available as of the publication date and may be revised as additional information becomes available.