Yes, whey protein prices have climbed steeply in 2026, and there is a real shortage of the whey that food makers and supplement companies use. Retail shelf prices usually trail wholesale costs, so the price you pay may still rise over the coming year.
AP's explainer on whey protein prices, potential shortages and alternatives is one of several recent reports on this. This page sorts out what is happening, what is still unknown, and what your options are, with the cost, fit and limits of each.
Has the price of whey protein gone up?
Yes, sharply at the wholesale level. As of October 2026, the AP report carried by NewsNation says 80% whey protein concentrate was trading at more than $13 per pound in the U.S., up 250% from a year ago, according to the data firm Ever.Ag. The same report says whey protein isolate, the more refined version with at least 90% protein, is 150% more expensive than last year.
| Measure | Reported figure | Reported by |
|---|---|---|
| Wholesale whey protein concentrate, 80% protein (U.S.) | More than $13 per pound, up 250% from a year ago | Ever.Ag, cited by AP |
| Wholesale whey protein isolate, at least 90% protein (U.S.) | 150% more expensive than last year | Ever.Ag, cited by AP |
| Retail whey protein concentrate powder (U.S.) | Up around 15% over the past year | Datasembly, cited by AP |
| 80% whey protein concentrate (Europe) | Record average of 26,450 euros ($30,518) per metric ton in late May, more than double from less than a year earlier | DCA Market Intelligence, cited by AP |
| High-protein whey concentrate offers (location not specified) | Up more than 40% on average in the last couple of months | Bloomberg, via The Age |
| Grass-fed whey isolate, one supplement company's cost | Up more than 300% since 2023 | Bloomberg, via The Age |
Shelf prices are moving more slowly. Spins says increases in the ingredient usually take 12 to 18 months to reach retail shelves. As of October 2026, NielsenIQ data cited by Bloomberg show the average price of products that tout whey on the package roughly flat compared with a year earlier, though up 32% from four years ago. Prices and bundles change, so check today's price with the company or your store before you buy.
Is there a whey shortage right now?
Yes. Bloomberg, citing the U.S. Department of Agriculture, reports that some suppliers are already sold out for the rest of the year. Buyers now need an existing relationship with whey makers to get product. Bloomberg also reports that consumers largely haven't felt the shortage yet, but that could change soon.
Now Foods, a supplement maker, raised its own whey protein prices earlier this year. Its sports brand manager said the company doesn't anticipate further price increases on whey protein powder this year. That is one maker's outlook, not a market forecast.
Why is there a shortage of whey protein?
Whey is a byproduct of cheese. As of October 2026, the AP report cites the U.S. Department of Agriculture saying every pound of cheese yields nine pounds of whey. Bloomberg reports that processors cannot simply ramp up whey on its own, because it comes out of cheese production.
- Demand from food makers. NielsenIQ counts 38,708 U.S. supermarket products advertising their protein content, according to AP. Whey now goes into cereals, snacks, bagels and coffee drinks.
- Weight-loss drugs. Ever.Ag's Kathleen Wolfley says GLP-1 weight-loss drugs have boosted demand for whey concentrate. Morgan Stanley estimated that about 6% of obese and diabetic U.S. patients were using GLP-1 drugs last year, according to AP.
- More U.S. demand. Domestic demand is keeping more whey in the U.S.; Vesper, a commodity tracker, says exports of 80% whey concentrate and whey isolate to China fell 47% from January through April compared with a year earlier.
- Slow new capacity. Glanbia plans more whey isolate production in New Mexico, with the added capacity not in place until 2027. Agropur plans to increase whey manufacturing at plants in Quebec, Nova Scotia, South Dakota and Wisconsin by 2029.
Wolfley says the supply picture could improve, but timing is unclear: “I don't know if that's a tomorrow dynamic or within a year.”
What can you use instead of whey protein?
Bloomberg describes whey as a complete protein that dissolves well, is digested easily and can be added to many foods, which is why it is so widely used. No single swap works for everything. The options below are the ones the reporting names. Each has a cost signal, a fit and a limit, so you can compare them against your goal.
| Option | Cost signal | Who it may suit | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whey protein concentrate (80% protein) | Over $13 per pound wholesale in the U.S., up 250% from a year ago (Ever.Ag) | People who want the standard whey powder and can absorb a higher price | Supply is short and prices have risen most at the wholesale level |
| whey protein isolate | 150% more expensive than last year (Ever.Ag); U.S. retail isolate has seen steeper gains than concentrate (Datasembly) | People who want a more refined whey protein | Costs more, and has seen the steepest price gains |
| Milk protein concentrate | Cheaper relative to whey-based products, according to StoneX's Nate Donnay (Bloomberg) | Food makers and buyers willing to switch ingredients | Not a one-for-one swap. It contains less whey, and one maker says it gives a completely different mouthfeel |
| Soy and pea protein | Named as alternatives by Bloomberg; Majic Protein is looking at pea blends | People who want a plant-based option | Majic Protein says finding a replacement for whey is not straightforward |
| Dried meat snacks | Sales volume up 6.8% in the 12 months through mid-May, per Circana (Bloomberg) | People who want protein from whole-food snacks rather than a powder | Not a shake or powder, so it does not replace a whey shake |
Casein, another milk protein, is covered in our casein protein guide if you are weighing it. Before switching, compare protein per serving on the label, not just price per tub.
What is the downside of whey protein right now?
The most immediate downside is cost and availability. Prices have risen at wholesale, and retail prices may follow. Reformulating can also change results: one bakery company said its switch to a different whey supplier left its pancakes dry, and it plans to move to a different mix of proteins. On health, the main research concern is with long-term use, covered in the next section.
Is it safe to drink whey protein every day?
The most direct research answer comes from a 2021 systematic review of whey's possible adverse effects, published in Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. It pooled 11 papers. Most linked harm to chronic and abusive use of whey, mainly affecting the kidneys and liver. Other papers linked whey to aggression, acne and changes to the microbiota. The review concluded that long-term use without professional guidance may cause some adverse effects, especially on kidney and liver function, and that more studies are needed.
The warnings centre on long-term, excessive, unsupervised use. Ask a clinician before you start a daily routine, especially if you have kidney or liver problems. A clinician can also tell you how it fits with your other foods and any medicines you take.
What does the research say whey does for older adults' muscle?
As of October 2026, a 2024 meta-analysis in The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging pooled 10 randomized trials with 1,154 older adults who had sarcopenia, meaning age-related muscle loss. Compared with placebo or routine consultation, whey increased muscle mass measures and gait speed. When whey was combined with resistance training, handgrip strength rose as well. It had no significant effect on weight, BMI or fat mass. The authors say more studies should be done.
A 2023 meta-analysis in Nutrients pooled seven trials with 591 participants, five of them in the quantitative analysis. It found a small effect favouring whey taken during resistance training for muscle mass and handgrip strength. The reviewers rated the quality of the research low to very low using the GRADE approach, and physical performance results varied between studies.
A 2023 meta-analysis in Advances in Nutrition found that whey alone did not change lean mass or strength across older adults overall, but it improved physical function. In older adults with sarcopenia or frailty, whey improved lean mass and function. Adding vitamin D to whey improved lean mass, strength and function in that analysis.
Taken together, these studies point to whey helping older adults with muscle loss on some measures, with small effects and mixed study quality. Talk with a clinician about your own goals before you decide.
Can I drink protein powder that is two years old?
Check the best-by or expiry date printed on the tub and the storage instructions on its label. If you cannot find either, ask the company before you use it.
How do you check a protein powder before you buy it?
Read the label first: the type of protein, protein per serving and the full ingredient list. If you want to compare ingredients without guessing, see our guide to protein powder sweetness and stomach symptoms.
For heavy metals and other contaminants, see protein supplement contaminants. If a label cites research, start with reading supplement claims against the research.
If you are unsure whether you need a powder at all, our guide do you need protein powder to build muscle walks through the question.
Before you decide
- Check today's price and stock on the company's page or at your store, since prices change.
- Ask the company when it expects supply to recover if you plan a long-term purchase.
- Compare protein per serving across options, not price per tub alone.
- Ask a clinician before daily use, especially if you have kidney or liver conditions.
Your next step is small: this week, note the protein per serving and the price of the product you already use. A month from now, check both again and see whether the shortage is changing what you pay.
By the Gym Floor Guide Editorial Team