In recent years, the demand for specialty ingredients has surged significantly. Factors such as shifting dietary preferences, a rising population, and heightened consumer awareness regarding the health benefits of specialty ingredients have led to intensified research and development efforts in the market. The market size for specialty food ingredients was valued at $112.4 million in 2022, with projections indicating it could reach $168.6 million by 2031, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 5.2%.
According to Martin Williams, CEO of Above Foods, the food industry has characterized this expanding category as fundamentally different from commodities. “There are probably 100 definitions out there. To be straightforward, we define specialty ingredients as those specifically tailored to meet a customer’s needs and not interchangeable with similar ingredients,” he stated in an interview with Food Dive. “Commodities are driven by price and are readily available everywhere, while specialty ingredients are typically cultivated, processed, and handled in distinct ways.”
Above Foods specializes in producing differentiated ingredients from grains and proteins, including chickpeas, oats, quinoa, lentils, peas, and fava beans, sourced from the Northern plains of the U.S. and the western prairie provinces of Canada. The company prides itself on providing a transparent and traceable plant-based supply chain, enabling customers and consumers to know precisely where their food originates. “The demand for specialty ingredients stems from consumers—essentially, just people,” Williams remarked. “What are we eating? How are we changing our eating habits? What do we want to consume? Our understanding of health has evolved significantly, now encompassing diet.”
Williams noted that specialty ingredients reflect broader trends in the food industry. Retailers are allocating more shelf space to healthier food options, and consumers are increasingly scrutinizing product origins—an attitude that was less prevalent just five years ago. Above Foods stands out as one of the world’s leading producers of regeneratively grown ingredients. The company utilizes specialized technology to inform customers about the cultivation methods of their ingredients. “We ask ourselves whether our technology assists our farmers in creating better soil, more sustainable farms, and more responsibly produced agricultural products, as these factors are crucial for our customers,” Williams explained.
Above Foods maintains oversight of its products throughout every stage of the food production process. Their offerings include flours, puffs, and plant-based milk bases, all cultivated using regenerative farming practices. Additionally, as consumers seek out health-enhancing products, there is increasing interest in supplements like calcium citrate tablets, which are becoming popular due to their health benefits. This trend further emphasizes the growing consumer focus on sourcing specialty ingredients and understanding the nutritional value of what they consume.