The price of food-grade whey protein powder has jumped by more than 50% since the start of the year, driven by a rapid increase in demand and shifts in the dairy market.

According to data from DCA Market Intelligence, the price of standard whey powder increased from just under €1,100 ($1,173) per tonne in January, to roughly €1,700 per tonne in April. This comes as the growing popularity of GLP-1 weight loss drugs has led to more demand for protein-rich products on grocery shelves. The problem is that supply for whey is inflexible, DCA notes, given that it's a byproduct of the cheese-making process, and can't be easily scaled up.

"The combination of rising demand and relatively stable supply creates a market that is sensitive to rapid price movements," says DCA Market Intelligence dairy market analyst Wouter Baan.

That's created a situation where some suppliers are completely sold out of whey protein concentrate (WPC) for the rest of the year, the USDA said in an April 30 market report. The USDA also pointed to signs indicating that at least one manufacturer is planning to cease production of WPC after this summer, which could further tighten availability and drive up prices.

Over the last decade, food companies have quadrupled the amount of protein-rich products they offer, while a survey from International Food Information Council found that 70% of Americans are trying to consume more protein, up from 61% in 2021. And as of fall 2025, one in every eight people reported taking a GLP-1 drug, which requires patients to maintain a high-protein diet to support weight loss and muscle-building.