Australia's Protein Powder Boom Drives New Manufacturing Opportunities

Plenty Foods managing director Josh Gadischke opened the Kingaroy factory in February, investing $22 million in infrastructure that includes a specialised imported press — the only one of its kind in Australia — capable of producing an ultra-fine, low-fat peanut powder. The product contains 55 per cent protein and is dairy- and gluten-free, positioning it as a competitor to established whey, soy, and pea proteins, which Gadischke says can leave an unpleasant aftertaste. The protein trend driving demand has expanded well beyond sports nutrition, with supermarkets now stocking protein-fortified versions of everyday products such as yoghurt, milk drinks, pasta, bread, and even water. Social media influencers and wellness marketers have broadened the consumer base to include fitness enthusiasts, menopausal women, and older adults seeking to maintain muscle mass. Gadischke is also targeting India's large vegetarian population, which he describes as protein-deficient and increasingly receptive to plant-based nutrition trends. The factory is designed with a decade of growth in mind, with plans to expand the workforce from 40 to 100 employees, and local peanut growers and processors say they have capacity to scale up supply alongside production.