Edible Insect Production in Thailand: Sustainable Supply Chain Management
Simple Summary
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. SWOT–TOWS Analysis for Development of Edible Insect Business Strategy in Thailand
3. Managing the Supply Chain of Edible Insects for Sustainability
- (1)
- Green supply chain
- (2)
- Transparent supply chain
- (3)
- Circular supply chain
4. Pursuing the Bio-Circular Green (BCG) Economy Approach
5. Components of BCG Economy
5.1. Bioeconomy
- (1)
- Apply innovation to advance the country’s food industry with technology and innovation management of production processes, products, and services. Such goals can be achieved through transferring knowledge and technology regarding edible insects from research to industry, and the economic impact can be increased by commercial production [67].
- (2)
- Utilize information technology to gather primary data from edible insect farmers (local and nationwide) regarding edible insect species, production capacity, costs, disease information, and external variables such as temperature, humidity, and feed. This data is essential for establishing strategy and policy and promoting entrepreneurs, which includes both the facilitation and elimination of barriers, as well as transferring advanced technology and skills to entrepreneurs in the edible insect sector [47,68].
- (3)
- Facilitate cultivation of edible insects that align with local potential and market demands for integration of technology and innovation. Utilization of local resources and regional biodiversity can minimize the costs associated with the transportation of production elements. This can increase the competitiveness of local businesses [3].
- (4)
- Establish edible insect breeds characterized by high nutritional value, substantial yield, genetic uniformity, disease resistance, and endurance at environmental fluctuations. Technological advancements can facilitate these processes. The quantity and quality of insect harvests depend upon the selected species or breeds appropriate for commercial production [69].
- (5)
5.2. Circular Economy
- (1)
- Promote the creation of added value from edible insect processing by developing functional compounds using extraction technology and isolating key substances from insect raw materials, along with nutritional value analysis and safety assessment of such essential substances to obtain quality functional substances, such as proteins, fats, and chitin [22,75].
- (2)
- Promoting the use of edible insect materials as ingredients in traditional food production and developing new food products with sensory qualities that are acceptable to consumers in terms of appearance, texture, smell, delicious taste, and complete nutritional value to obtain alternative insect protein products that are in harmony with consumption methods (alignment) and are alternative protein foods to create food security for the world in the future [79,80].
- (3)
- (4)
- Developing a critical and necessary infrastructure to upgrade the country’s insect food industry so that food enterprises can compete in the global market, especially medium-sized or small enterprises that still lack investment funding. The state should also create systematic opportunities for accessing funding to promote the infrastructure and facilitate the integration of SME groups, large-scale agriculture, or associations, which will increase negotiating power and production capacity [83,84].
- (5)
- To ensure the timely progress of the food industry both today and in the future, we must develop and improve various regulations related to food derived from edible insects. A balance must be established between setting new standards to protect consumer safety and economic development in the country’s food industry [8].
- (6)
- Promoting legal and regulatory knowledge of food safety and standards for business operators on edible insects [8].
- (7)
- Promote and push knowledge of product standards and edible insect farm standards to build trust in products and processed products in a complete cycle, from upstream, midstream, and downstream, especially to establish trust in trade brands at the provincial, regional, and global levels [23]. According to the latest information, the ACFS has announced three new GAP standards for Thailand, covering dried crickets, frozen crickets, and BSF farming [43], which should raise awareness among of all relevant stakeholders and concretely upgrade export standards.
- (8)
- Supported Food Safety Assessment. Processed edible insect food products have not yet been standardized or regulated. It is necessary to promote pre-production and commercial safety data collection and assessments. Insects that may have been processed using technology under different temperatures and environmental conditions will present distinct qualities or standard risks. This affects the nutritional value and safety of the product. Some insects contain allergens, microorganisms, and toxins that may affect consumers of insect-processed foods [85].
5.3. Green Economy
6. Conclusions
- -
- Edible insects serve as a viable and nutritious alternative to traditional livestock, demonstrating environmental sustainability.
- -
- To expand the market, it is essential to address challenges related to customer acceptability and production techniques.
- -
- The BCG economy model is advocated for promoting sustainability, emphasizing the utilization of biological resources and the adoption of circular economy practices.
- -
- Food packaging uses materials produced from insects, which serve as a sustainable protein supply abundant in helpful chemicals.
- -
- The application of the BCG economy strategy and SWOT–TOWS analysis are included in the strategies.
- -
- Additionally, emphasis is placed on environmentally responsible and ethical supply chain management, integrating environmental and social responsibility.
- -
- This study shows the effectiveness of circular and green economies in promoting sustainability in the edible insect sector.
Author Contributions
Funding
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
Abbreviations
ACFS | National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards |
BCG | Bio-circular green economy strategy |
BSF | Black soldier fly |
CO2 | Carbon dioxide |
ESG | Environmental, social, and governance criteria |
GAP | Good agricultural practices |
IoT | Internet of things |
NPK | Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium |
RBCs | Conservation breeding programs |
SDGs | Sustainable Development Goals |
SEIF | Smart edible insect factory |
SFA | Singapore Food Agency |
SME | Small- and medium-sized enterprise |
SO | Strengths and opportunities |
ST | Strengths and threats |
SWOT | Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats |
TOWS | Threats, opportunities, weaknesses, and strengths |
US FDA | The United States Food and Drug Administration |
WO | Weaknesses and opportunities |
WT | Weaknesses and threats |
References
- Pattarayingsakul, W.; Nilavongse, A.; Reamtong, O.; Chittavanich, P.; Mungsantisuk, I.; Mathong, Y.; Prasitwuttisak, W.; Panbangred, W. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant peptides from digestion of larvae and pupae of Asian weaver ant, Oecophylla smaragdina, Fabricius. J. Sci. Food Agric. 2017, 97, 3133–3140. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kooij, P.W.; Dentinger, B.M.; Donoso, D.A.; Shik, J.Z.; Gaya, E. Cryptic diversity in Colombian edible leaf-cutting ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Insects 2018, 9, 191. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Omuse, E.R.; Tonnang, H.E.; Yusuf, A.A.; Machekano, H.; Egonyu, J.P.; Kimathi, E.; Mohamed, S.F.; Kassie, M.; Subramanian, S.; Onditi, J.; et al. The global atlas of edible insects: Analysis of diversity and commonality contributing to food systems and sustainability. Sci. Rep. 2024, 14, 5045. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Raheem, D.; Carrascosa, C.; Oluwole, O.B.; Nieuwland, M.; Saraiva, A.; Millán, R.; Raposo, A. Traditional consumption of and rearing edible insects in Africa, Asia and Europe. Crit. Rev. Food Sci. Nutr. 2018, 59, 2169–2188. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Tanga, C.M.; Egonyu, J.P.; Beesigamukama, D.; Niassy, S.; Emily, K.; Magara, H.J.; Omuse, E.R.; Subramanian, S.; Ekesi, S. Edible insect farming as an emerging and profitable enterprise in East Africa. Curr. Opin. Insect Sci. 2021, 48, 64–71. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Liceaga, A.M. Edible insects, a valuable protein source from ancient to modern times. In Advances in Food and Nutrition Research; Academic Press: Massachusetts, MA, USA, 2022; Volume 101, pp. 129–152. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Larouche, J.; Campbell, B.; Hénault-Éthier, L.; Banks, I.J.; Tomberlin, J.K.; Preyer, C.; Deschamps, M.H.; Vandenberg, G.W. The edible insect sector in Canada and the United States. Anim. Front. 2023, 13, 16–25. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Lähteenmäki-Uutela, A.; Marimuthu, S.; Meijer, N. Regulations on insects as food and feed: A global comparison. J. Insects Food Feed 2021, 7, 849–856. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Singapore Food Agency (SFA). Insect Regulatory Framework. Available online: https://www.sfa.gov.sg/regulatory-standards-frameworks-guidelines/insect-regulatory-framework/insect-regulatory-framework (accessed on 5 July 2025).
- Giusti, A.; Spatola, G.; Mancini, S.; Nuvoloni, R.; Armani, A. Novel foods, old issues: Metabarcoding revealed mislabeling in insect-based products sold by e-commerce on the EU market. Food Res. Int. 2024, 184, 114268. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- EFSA Panel on Nutrition; Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA); Turck, D.; Bohn, T.; Castenmiller, J.; Henauw, S.D.; Hirsch-Ernst, K.I.; Maciuk, A.; Mangelsdorf, I.; McArdle, H.J.; et al. Safety of frozen and dried formulations from whole house crickets (Acheta domesticus) as a Novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. EFSA J. 2021, 19, e06779. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Krongdang, S.; Sawongta, N.; Pheepakpraw, J.; Ngamsomchat, A.; Wangtueai, S.; Wongsa, J.; Parametthanuwat, T.; Charoenphun, N.; Chitov, T. Comprehensive analysis of bacterial communities and microbiological quality of frozen edible insects. Foods 2025, 14, 2347. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Park, S.J.; Kim, K.Y.; Baik, M.Y.; Koh, Y.H. Sericulture and the edible-insect industry can help humanity survive: Insects are more than just bugs, food, or feed. Food Sci. Biotechnol. 2022, 31, 657–668. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Stull, V.J.; Weir, T.L. Chitin and omega-3 fatty acids in edible insects have underexplored benefits for the gut microbiome and human health. Nat. Food 2023, 4, 283–287. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Giampieri, F.; Alvarez Suarez, J.M.; Machì, M.; Cianciosi, D.; Navarro Hortal, M.D.; Battino, M. Edible insects: A novel nutritious, functional, and safe food alternative. Food Front. 2022, 3, 358–365. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Poore, J.; Nemecek, T. Reducing food’s environmental impacts through producers and consumers. Science 2018, 360, 987–992. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Oonincx, D.G.A.B.; de Boer, I.J.M. Environmental impact of the production of mealworms as a protein source for humans—A life cycle assessment. PLoS ONE 2012, 7, e51145. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Lange, K.W.; Nakamura, Y. Edible insects as future food: Chances and challenges. J. Future Foods 2021, 1, 38–46. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Cepal, N. The 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals: An opportunity for Latin America and the Caribbean. Goals, Targets and Global Indicators. Available online: https://www.sidalc.net/search/Record/dig-cepal-11362-40156/Description (accessed on 5 July 2025).
- Van Huis, A.; Rumpold, B.A.; Van der Fels-Klerx, H.J.; Tomberlin, J.K. Advancing edible insects as food and feed in a circular economy. J. Insects Food Feed 2021, 7, 935–948. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Food and Agriculture Organization. Looking at Edible Insects from a Food Safety Perspective. Challenges and Opportunities for the Sector. Rome. Available online: https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/33de5ff0-3b21-4108-98bc-d2f6e190e992/content (accessed on 5 July 2025).
- Liang, Z.; Zhu, Y.; Leonard, W.; Fang, Z. Recent advances in edible insect processing technologies. Food Res. Int. 2024, 182, 114137. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Krongdang, S.; Phokasem, P.; Venkatachalam, K.; Charoenphun, N. Edible insects in Thailand: An overview of status, properties, processing, and utilization in the food industry. Foods 2023, 12, 2162. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Phonthanukitithaworn, C.; Sae-Eaw, A.; Tang, H.; Chatsakulpanya, P.; Wang, W.; Ketkaew, C. Marketing strategies and acceptance of edible insects among Thai and Chinese young adult consumers. J. Int. Food Agribus. Mark. 2023, 35, 154–182. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Traynor, A.; Burns, D.T.; Wu, D.; Karoonuthaisiri, N.; Petchkongkaew, A.; Elliott, C.T. An analysis of emerging food safety and fraud risks of novel insect proteins within complex supply chains. Npj Sci. Food 2024, 8, 7. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Heath, D.; Vehar, A.; Kouřimská, L.; Kulma, M.; Škvorová, P.; Salmonová, H.Š.; Lampová, B.; Rehman, N.; Jamnik, P.; Jeršek, B.; et al. Quality, safety and authenticity of insect protein based food and feed: Insights from the INPROFF project. Explor. Foods Foodomics 2024, 2, 339–362. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Arunsangseesod, O.; Chantiratikul, A.; Pimrueng, K.; Khamtasila, S.; Choowong, N. Production and marketing of cricket farms in the central part of Northeastern Thailand. Khon Kean Agric. J. 2021, 49, 636–641. (In Thai) [Google Scholar]
- Pippinato, L.; Gasco, L.; Di Vita, G.; Mancuso, T. Current scenario in the European edible-insect industry: A preliminary study. J. Insects Food Feed 2020, 6, 371–381. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Food Intelligence Center. Report on Market Study of Insect Food Products to Support the Development of the Thai Food Industry. Food Industry Intelligent Information Center Development Project. Available online: https://www.oie.go.th/assets/portals/1/files/study_report/IU64_Food_Insect_report.pdf (accessed on 5 July 2025).
- Halloran, A.; Roos, N.; Flore, R.; Hanboonsong, Y. The development of the edible cricket industry in Thailand. J. Insects Food Feed 2016, 2, 91–100. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Chibueze Izah, S.; Fayiah, M. Edible Insects for Food Security and Sustainable Development. In Edible insects: Nutritional Benefits, Culinary Innovations and Sustainability; Springer: Cham, Switzerland, 2025; pp. 241–263. [Google Scholar]
- Sampaothong, S.; Dokchan, P.; Punyawattoe, P. Application of blockchain technology for commercial grasshopper farming supply chain traceability in Thailand. Int. J. Agric. Biol. 2024, 13, 325–332. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Nakajima, Y.; Ogura, A. Genomics and effective trait candidates of edible insects. Food Biosci. 2022, 48, 101793. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Meijer, N.; Safitri, R.A.; Tao, W.; Hoek-Van den Hil, E.F. European Union legislation and regulatory framework for edible insect production–Safety issues. Animal 2025, 101468. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Fuso, A.; Leni, G.; Prandi, B.; Lolli, V.; Caligiani, A. Novel foods/feeds and novel frauds: The case of edible insects. Trends Food Sci. Technol. 2024, 147, 104457. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Abbasi, E. Edible insects as a sustainable and innovative approach to addressing global food security and environmental challenges: A comprehensive review. J. Insects Food Feed 2025, 1, 1–12. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Jintapitak, M.; Ansari, M.A.; Kamyod, C.; Singkhamfu, W.; Kamthe, N.S.; Temdee, P. Blockchain eco-system for Thai insect industry: A smart contract conceptual framework. In Proceedings of the 2019 22nd International Symposium on Wireless Personal Multimedia Communications (WPMC), Lisbon, Portugal, 24–27 November 2019; pp. 1–4. [Google Scholar]
- Vignesh, B.; Chandrakumar, M.; Divya, K.; Prahadeeswaran, M.; Vanitha, G. Blockchain technology in agriculture: Ensuring transparency and traceability in the food supply chain. Plant Sci. Today 2025, 12, 5970. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Siddiqui, S.A.; Zannou, O.; Karim, I.; Kasmiati; Awad, N.M.; Gołaszewski, J.; Heinz, V.; Smetana, S. Avoiding food neophobia and increasing consumer acceptance of new food trends—A decade of research. Sustainability 2022, 14, 10391. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Rodrigues Romano, K.; Deliza, R.; Banovic, M. Sustainable bites: Can health goal framing and perceived sustainability reduce the impact of food neophobia on the intention to purchase insect-based products? J. Sens. Stud. 2025, 40, e70032. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards. Agricultural Product Standards. Available online: https://www.acfs.go.th/standard/detail/590 (accessed on 25 July 2025). (In Thai).
- Maciel-Vergara, G.; Jensen, A.B.; Lecocq, A.; Eilenberg, J. Diseases in edible insect rearing systems. J. Insects Food Feed 2021, 7, 621–638. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Pastrana-Pastrana, Á.J.; Rodríguez-Herrera, R.; Solanilla-Duque, J.F.; Flores-Gallegos, A.C. Plant proteins, insects, edible mushrooms and algae: More sustainable alternatives to conventional animal protein. J. Future Foods 2025, 5, 248–256. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Nuh, R.; Phetkaew, C.; Zakaria, F. A SWOT–TOWS analysis for developing the strategy of cage-based aquaculture business in Saiburi, Patani province. Asia Soc. Issues 2023, 16, e255078. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Halloran, A.; Hanboonsong, Y.; Roos, N.; Bruun, S. Life cycle assessment of cricket farming in north-eastern Thailand. J. Clean. Prod. 2017, 156, 83–94. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Durst, P.B.; Hanboonsong, Y. Small-scale production of edible insects for enhanced food security and rural livelihoods: Experience from Thailand and Lao People’s Democratic Republic. J. Insects Food Feed 2015, 1, 25–31. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kumar, P.; Chidozie Ogwu, M. Regulatory frameworks and challenges for edible insects: Pathways to mainstream adoption. In Edible Insects: Nutritional Benefits, Culinary Innovations and Sustainability; Chidozie Ogwu, M., Chibueze Izah, S., Eds.; Springer: Cham, Switzerland, 2025; pp. 165–188. [Google Scholar]
- van Huis, A. Edible insects are the future? Proc. Nutr. Soc. 2016, 75, 294–305. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Huis, A.V.; Itterbeeck, J.V.; Klunder, H.; Mertens, E.; Halloran, A.; Muir, G.; Vantomme, P. Edible Insects: Future Prospects for Food and Feed Security. Available online: https://www.fao.org/4/i3253e/i3253e.pdf (accessed on 5 July 2025).
- Ogwu, M. Market trends and business opportunities in edible insects. In Edible Insects: Nutritional Benefits, Culinary Innovations and Sustainability; Chidozie Ogwu, M., Chibueze Izah, S., Eds.; Springer: Cham, Switzerland, 2025; pp. 189–214. [Google Scholar]
- Radzi, S.H.M.; Hamid, N.A.; Ismail, R.F. An overview of environmental, social and governance (ESG) and company performance. Eur. Proc. Soc. Behav. Sci. 2023, 1111–1122. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Granados-Echegoyen, C.; Vásquez-López, A.; Calderón-Cortés, N.; Gallego-Ocampo, H.L.; Gómez-Rodríguez, C.H.; Rodríguez-Vélez, J.M.; Sarmiento-Cordero, M.A.; Salamanca-Canizales, L.J.; Rodríguez-Vélez, B.; Arroyo-Balán, F.; et al. Brief overview of edible insects: Exploring consumption and promising sustainable uses in Latin America. Front. Sustain. Food Syst. 2024, 8, 1385081. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Madau, F.A.; Arru, B.; Furesi, R.; Pulina, P. Insect farming for feed and food production from a circular business model perspective. Sustainability 2020, 12, 5418. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Edyvean, R.G.J.; Kanthong, S.; Jindarat, D. The bio circular green economy model in Thailand—A comparative review. Agric. Nat. Res. 2023, 57, 51–64. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Suppipat, S.; Intrachooto, S. Bio circular green economic model in Thailand: A case of upcycle circular economy certification for products. In The Palgrave Handbook of Practical Sustainability; Springer Nature: Cham, Switzerland, 2025; pp. 329–350. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Puttha, R.; Venkatachalam, K.; Hanpakdeesakul, S.; Wongsa, J.; Parametthanuwat, T.; Srean, P.; Pakeechai, K.; Charoenphun, N. Exploring the potential of sunflowers: Agronomy, applications, and opportunities within bio-circular-green economy. Horticulturae 2023, 9, 1079. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Browne, R.K.; Luo, Q.; Wang, P.; Mansour, N.; Kaurova, S.A.; Gakhova, E.N.; Shishova, N.V.; Uteshev, V.K.; Kramarova, L.I.; Venu, G.; et al. Ecological civilisation and amphibian sustainability through reproduction biotechnologies, biobanking, and conservation breeding programs (RBCs). Animals 2024, 14, 1455. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Maya, C.; Cunha, L.M.; de Almeida Costa, A.I.; Veldkamp, T.; Roos, N. Introducing insect-or plant-based dinner meals to families in Denmark: Study protocol for a randomized intervention trial. Trials 2022, 23, 1028. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Qian, L.; Deng, P.; Chen, F.; Cao, Y.; Sun, H.; Liao, H. The exploration and utilization of functional substances in edible insects: A review. Food Prod. Process. Nutr. 2022, 4, 11. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ibitoye, S.O.; Ayeni, O.; Ayanniyi, O.; Wealth, A.; Kolejo, O.; Adenika, O.A.; Murtala, M.; Oyedijii, O.; Aremu, A.; Muritala, D. Advancing urban insect farming: Integrating automation, vertical farming, and sustainable waste management systems. Discov. Agric. 2025, 3, 1–15. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Hansen, L.S.; Laursen, S.F.; Bahrndorff, S.; Sørensen, J.G.; Sahana, G.; Kristensen, T.N.; Nielsen, H.M. The unpaved road towards efficient selective breeding in insects for food and feed. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 2024, 173, 498–521. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Vargas Serna, C.L.; Pineda Osorio, A.N.; Gomez Velasco, C.A.; Plaza Dorado, J.L.; Ochoa Martinez, C.I. Neural network for AI driven prediction of larval protein yield: Establishing the protein conversion index (PCI) for sustainable insect farming. Sustainability 2025, 17, 652. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ojha, S.; Bußler, S.; Psarianos, M.; Rossi, G.; Schlüter, O.K. Edible insect processing pathways and implementation of emerging technologies. J. Insects Food Feed 2021, 7, 877–900. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Barañano, L.; Garbisu, N.; Alkorta, I.; Araujo, A.; Garbisu, C. Contextualization of the bioeconomy concept through its links with related concepts and the challenges facing humanity. Sustainability 2021, 13, 7746. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Nifatova, O.; Danko, Y.; Petrychuk, S.; Romanenko, V. Modern bioeconomy measurement in the green economy paradigm: Four pillars of alternative bioeconomy. Sustainability 2024, 16, 9612. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Naser El Deen, S.; van Rozen, K.; Elissen, H.; van Wikselaar, P.; Fodor, I.; van der Weide, R.; Hoek-van den Hil, E.F.; Rezaei Far, A.; Veldkamp, T. Bioconversion of different waste streams of animal and vegetal origin and manure by black soldier fly larvae Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae). Insects 2023, 14, 204. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Melgar-Lalanne, G.; Hernández-Álvarez, A.J.; Salinas-Castro, A. Edible insects processing: Traditional and innovative technologies. Compr. Rev. Food Sci. Food Saf. 2019, 18, 1166–1191. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- van Huis, A. Edible insects. In Handbook of Eating and Drinking: Interdisciplinary Perspectives; Springer: Cham, Switzerland, 2020; pp. 965–980. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Baiano, A. Edible insects: An overview on nutritional characteristics, safety, farming, production technologies, regulatory framework, and socio-economic and ethical implications. Trends Food Sci. Technol. 2020, 100, 35–50. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Caparros Megido, R.; Francis, F.; Haubruge, E.; Le Gall, P.; Tomberlin, J.K.; Miranda, C.D.; Jordan, H.R.; Picard, C.J.; Pino, M.J.M.; Ramos-Elordy, J.; et al. A worldwide overview of the status and prospects of edible insect production. Entomol. Gen. 2024, 44, 3–27. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Purushothaman, R.; Alamelu, R.; Selvabaskar, S.; Sudha, M. Theories, techniques and strategies of sustainable circular economy: A systematic literature review. Discov. Sustain. 2025, 6, 297. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Vogiantzi, C.; Tserpes, K. On the definition, assessment, and enhancement of circular economy across various industrial sectors: A literature review and recent findings. Sustainability 2023, 15, 16532. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Smetana, S. Circularity and environmental impact of edible insects. J. Insects Food Feed 2023, 9, 1111–1114. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Yen, A.L.; Domínguez, D.; Pérez, L. Valorization of insect biomass residues in sustainable packaging applications. J. Clean. Prod. 2021, 284, 124777. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Liang, M.; Ahmad, I.; Khan, M. Nutritional profiling of edible insects: Proteins, amino acids, vitamins, and fatty acids. Food Chem. 2024, 406, 135923. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Xie, B.; Zhu, Y.; Chu, X.; Pokharel, S.S.; Qian, L.; Chen, F. Research progress and production status of edible insects as food in China. Foods 2024, 13, 1986. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Rivero-Pino, F.; Leon, M.J.; Montserrat-de la Paz, S. Potential applications of antimicrobial peptides from edible insects in the food supply chain: Uses in agriculture, packaging, and human nutrition. Food Biosci. 2024, 62, 105396. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Siddiqui, S.A.; van Greunen, L.; Zeiri, A.; Yudhistira, B.; Ahmad, A.; Monnye, M. The potential of chitin and chitosan from dead black soldier fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens) for biodegradable packaging material—A critical review. Process Saf. Environ. Prot. 2024, 189, 1342–1367. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Gnana Moorthy Eswaran, U.; Karunanithi, S.; Gupta, R.K.; Rout, S.; Srivastav, P.P. Edible insects as emerging food products–processing and product development perspective. J. Food Sci. Technol. 2023, 60, 2105–2120. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kozlu, A.; Ngasakul, N.; Klojdová, I.; Baigts-Allende, D.K. Edible insect-processing techniques: A strategy to develop nutritional food products and novelty food analogs. Eur. Food Res. Technol. 2024, 250, 1253–1267. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Tiwasing, P.; Pate, L. Exploring edible insects as feed in the UK: Current challenges and future prospects. J. Insects Food Feed 2024, 11, 139–155. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Stuber, A.B. Making Edible Insects Edible: Communication Strategies Driving Consumer Acceptance. Available online: https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1875642/FULLTEXT01.pdf (accessed on 5 July 2025).
- Hunts, H.J.; Dunkel, F.V.; Thienes, M.J.; Carnegie, N.B. Gatekeepers in the food industry: Acceptability of edible insects. J. Insects Food Feed 2020, 6, 231–243. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Siddiqui, S.A.; Osei-Owusu, J.; Yunusa, B.M.; Rahayu, T.; Fernando, I.; Shah, M.A.; Centoducati, G. Prospects of edible insects as sustainable protein for food and feed–A review. J. Insects Food Feed 2023, 10, 1–27. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- van Huis, A.; Rumpold, B. Strategies to convince consumers to eat insects? A review. Food Qual. Prefer. 2023, 110, 104927. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Lumanlan, J.C.; Williams, M.; Jayasena, V. Edible insects: Environmentally friendly sustainable future food source. Int. J. Food Sci. Technol. 2020, 57, 6317–6325. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Siddiqui, S.A.; Ristow, B.; Rahayu, T.; Putra, N.S.; Yuwono, N.W.; Mategeko, B.; Smetana, S.; Saki, M.; Nawaz, S.; Nagdalian, A. Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) and their affinity for organic waste processing. Waste Manag. 2022, 140, 1–13. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Van Huis, A.; Oonincx, D.G. The environmental sustainability of insects as food and feed. A review. Agron. Sustain. Dev. 2017, 37, 43. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ojha, S.; Bußler, S.; Schlüter, O.K. Food waste valorisation and circular economy concepts in insect production and processing. Waste Manag. 2020, 118, 600–609. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Global Food Loss and Food Waste. Available online: https://www.fao.org/4/mb060e/mb060e00.htm (accessed on 25 July 2025).
- Amrul, N.F.; Kabir Ahmad, I.; Ahmad Basri, N.E.; Suja, F.; Abdul Jalil, N.A.; Azman, N.A. A review of organic waste treatment using black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens). Sustainability 2022, 14, 4565. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Lange, K.W.; Nakamura, Y. Potential contribution of edible insects to sustainable consumption and production. Front. Sustain. 2023, 4, 1112950. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Siow, H.S.; Sudesh, K.; Ganesan, S. Insect oil to fuel: Optimizing biodiesel production from mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) oil using response surface methodology. Fuel 2024, 371, 132099. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Weng, S.; Marcet, I.; Rendueles, M.; Díaz, M. Insect-derived materials for food packaging—A review. Food Packag. Shelf Life 2023, 38, 101097. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Izza Bukari, N.; Abd Ghani, I.; Mustaffa, M. The effect of cricket (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) frass on the growth of leafy vegetables. ASM Sci. J. 2021, 14, 175–181. [Google Scholar]
- Afolabi, M.S.; Salami, A.E.; Olajide, O.O.; Babatunde, F.E. Comparative effects of organic and inorganic fertilizer treatment on growth, yield, and quality of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). J. Pure Appl. Agric. 2021, 6, 1–8. [Google Scholar]
- Guiné, R.P.; Florença, S.G.; Bartkiene, E.; Tarcea, M.; Chuck-Hernández, C.; Djekic, I.; Saric, M.M.; Boustani, N.M.; Korzeniowska, M.; Klava, D.; et al. Edible insects–exotic food or gastronomic innovation? Study involving 14 countries. J. Culin. Sci. Technol. 2024, 22, 857–876. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
Strengths (Internal Factors) | Weaknesses (Internal Factors) |
---|---|
A wide diversity of insect species and types of edible insects available Thailand has excellent conditions for insect cultivation because of its geographical location and climate. As a result, there is a wide variety of edible insects in Thailand. Owing to the high diversity of insect species and the increasing popularity of insect farming, certain species are available for purchase in all seasons [23]. Production advantages The climate in all parts of Thailand supports edible insect farming. Other beneficial environmental aspects include a wide variety of feeds, low farming costs, rapid breeding, and high yields [23]. Cultural diversity The consumption of edible insects is part of traditional Thai culture and is unique to each region. Insect consumption and utilization can be a means of passing on indigenous knowledge from one generation to the next. The richness of “biodiversity” together with “cultural diversity” maximizes and improves the value chain of edible insect products [23,30]. Promotion from government sector Currently, the government promotes farming and consumption of insects, as they are a rich source of protein and have high economic value. Production of edible insects can be performed at a lower cost than other livestock and is environmentally friendly. They can be manufactured locally and processed into high-quality raw materials, such as protein, fat, and chitin, which are used in food and related industries, such as the pharmaceutical industry [31]. | Small and inconsistent production quantity A large proportion of edible insect production is still carried out in a traditional manner, meaning that the quantity is small and the quality is inconsistent. Currently, only crickets meet the market demands for edible insects [31]. Incomplete supply chain Edible insect production is mostly a family business, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME), or natural harvest business. Because there are no industrial systems in many insect farming areas, there is a gap in the supply chain, which also affects the consistency of primary production [32]. Control of breeding stocks There is currently no rational control over the breed because farming is passed down as local knowledge. This process contributes to inbreeding, which raises the possibility of low disease resistance and, over time, a decrease in the size of the insects’ bodies and populations [33]. Processing technology and marketing In production at the SME level, there is a limited product variety and a lack of advanced processing methods. A wide variety of customers and expanded markets requires new, creative forms of edible insect products; processing methods that enhance sensory qualities while preserving nutritional values; and more advanced packaging that combines innovation and technology into production, processing, and control [23]. |
Opportunities (external factors) | Threats (external factors) |
Global Market Trends In addition to the development of food products and cosmetics, including active components, proteins, functional peptides, as well as their pharmacological components, the global market is increasingly receptive to the consumption of insects [34,35]. Policies that are consistent with and responsive to the SDGs 1.1 Global Climate Change: A study on the promotion of edible insect production shows that it influences global climate change and food production by yielding lower greenhouse gas emissions and a reduced carbon footprint in comparison with conventional livestock production, based on the protein (grams) produced per carbon dioxide (CO2) emission [36]. 1.2 The fall in global production resulting from climate change which influences the entire supply chain makes food security an urgent domestic and global concern. The Thai government has established and promoted the “Thailand: cuisine to the world” scheme, aligning it with global food security efforts. Tech-driven transparency Innovations such as blockchain for traceability can bolster product authenticity and consumer trust [37,38]. | Confidence in edible insect products and development of production models Insect consumption is perceived as an unfamiliar experience for many foreign consumers, particularly in European countries and the United States, leading to negative consumer imagery associated with the product. This constrains the growth of the export market [39,40]. Confidence in safety standards Thailand currently has a few established standards to produce edible insects and edible insect products. A singular GAP standard exists for insect production, such as dried crickets, frozen crickets, and black soldier fly (BSF) farming, announced by the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS) [41]. However, there are no established export criteria for all edible insects with economic competitive potential. Consequently, business owners and governments face challenges in advancing their industries to a level of international competitiveness [12]. Disease-outbreak risks High-density rearing without robust biosecurity can precipitate colony losses and reputational damage [42]. Alternative-protein competition Growth of plant-based “meat” analogs and cultured proteins intensifies market pressure [43]. |
TOWS | Strengths (S) | Weaknesses (W) |
S1: Various species of edible insects [23]. S2: Geographically and climatically appropriate [45]. S3: Cultural diversity and gastronomy connections [46]. S4: Promotion by the state [46,47]. | W1: Traditional production—inadequate introduction of technology to control the quality and quantity of production [29]. W2: Uneven quantity resulted from inadequate knowledge and technology transfer [36,47] W3: No breeding control/genetic problems/resistance [23,47]. W4: Lack of promotion and development of operational patterns to increase productivity [37]. | |
Opportunities (O) | SO Strategy (Strength and Opportunity) | WO Strategy (Weakness and Opportunity) |
O1: Notable trend/sustainable and nourishing food [46]. O2: Policy consistent and responsive to the SDGs, climate change, carbon footprint and food security [17,47]. | SO1: Supports the expansion of production/investment to farmers, stakeholders, and the public [23,48]. SO2: Promotes strategies/policies at the state and community levels, targets local sustainability, and distributes income at the community level [45,46,49]. SO3: Provides access to public funding, upgrading, and promoting SMEs and start-ups [50]. | WO1: Innovate for Intelligent Breeding/Agriculture [17,37]. WO2: Create an Academic/Research Promoter Problem Solved [23,50]. WO3: Strengthen the brand or product of a company/build the image and identity of a product and consumption that is reliable and consistent with the sustainable trend [23,50]. |
Threats (T) | ST Strategy (Strength and Threat) | WT Strategy (Weakness and Threat) |
T1: Product reliability and development of edible insect patterns. T2: Safety/feeding standard confidence | ST1: Promoting investment in R&D and innovation [50]. ST2: A global leader in the production and export of edible insects [23,37]. ST3: Promotion of local product identity in each region. ST4: Promotion of innovation and commercialization of edible insect products. Product Markings, establishment of a certification system by the state, promotion of international reliability [50]. | WT1: Promoting the integration of both cooperative and large-scale agriculture to control production capacity [50]. WT2: Offering short courses or training in insect farming, together with the development of edible insect products through technology and innovation, can enhance human capacity for further advancements in production systems and product development. WT3: Supporting research to enhance knowledge and innovation [49]. |
Production | Process | Specific Operations of Relevant Units |
---|---|---|
Upstream | Rearing | Insect rearing with technology, good and adequate agricultural production standards, or GAP, food source, insect quality, production processes (location, production premises, environment, feeding equipment, water supply, food and water management, cleaning, disinfection, maintenance costs (fixed cost, variable cost, income, profit, repayment period). |
Midstream | Processing | Processing and distribution, processing technology and innovation, dynamic distribution, freezing, framing, drying, powdering, insect containment, protein hydrolysis, oil extraction, and product standards. |
Downstream | Marketing | Packaging, images, transportation, conservation, related legislation, online marketing, branches, production chain management, consumers, environment, tourism, insecticide integration, economy, sustainable systems, information technology, and information science. |
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. |
© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
Krongdang, S.; Venkatachalam, K.; Chitov, T.; Wangtueai, S.; Wongsa, J.; Parametthanuwat, T.; Charoenphun, N. Edible Insect Production in Thailand: Sustainable Supply Chain Management. Insects 2025, 16, 827. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16080827
Krongdang S, Venkatachalam K, Chitov T, Wangtueai S, Wongsa J, Parametthanuwat T, Charoenphun N. Edible Insect Production in Thailand: Sustainable Supply Chain Management. Insects. 2025; 16(8):827. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16080827
Chicago/Turabian StyleKrongdang, Sasiprapa, Karthikeyan Venkatachalam, Thararat Chitov, Sutee Wangtueai, Jittimon Wongsa, Thanya Parametthanuwat, and Narin Charoenphun. 2025. "Edible Insect Production in Thailand: Sustainable Supply Chain Management" Insects 16, no. 8: 827. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16080827
APA StyleKrongdang, S., Venkatachalam, K., Chitov, T., Wangtueai, S., Wongsa, J., Parametthanuwat, T., & Charoenphun, N. (2025). Edible Insect Production in Thailand: Sustainable Supply Chain Management. Insects, 16(8), 827. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16080827