Protein Prices Continue to Soar; Focus Shifts to Soy-Based Products with Sales Up 3.5x

Ultimate Life Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Higashinari-ku, Osaka; President: Yuki Tanaka), which sells protein under the 'GronG' brand, will release the 'GronG Soy Protein Trial Pack' on May 30, 2026 (Sat) on e-commerce sites such as Amazon for customers considering switching to soy protein due to the soaring price of whey protein. The protein market has continued to expand along with the rise in health consciousness. The mainstream is 'whey protein,' which uses milk-derived protein ingredients. According to a survey by Nestle Japan, more than 60% of people who consume powdered protein choose whey protein. However, in recent years, raw material prices have soared against the backdrop of the US 'weight-loss drug' boom. Since around the end of 2025, many manufacturers have significantly raised the prices of whey protein. Amid the soaring prices of whey protein, interest in soy protein, which is derived from soybeans, is increasing as an alternative. According to Google Trends data, the domestic search volume for 'soy protein' has surged since around January 2026, when announcements of whey protein price hikes followed one after another. This increase in interest is also reflected in sales volume. The sales volume of our 'GronG Soy Protein Cocoa Flavor 1kg' from January to April 2026 was 354% (about 3.5 times) compared to the same period last year. The reason why soy protein is popular is that while the price is relatively stable, it is an excellent protein source comparable to whey protein. The amino acid score of soybeans, the raw material for soy protein, is a perfect 100, and it is said to contain high-quality protein similar to animal foods such as meat and fish. Therefore, we are releasing a set of trial packs where you can try each flavor of 'GronG Soy Protein,' which is sold on e-commerce sites such as Amazon and retail stores such as Don Quijote, from one serving. This product is individually packaged in one serving (25g). Because you can try it in small quantities, it is recommended for those who want to know if it suits them before buying large-capacity products.