Global Early Life Nutrition Market - 2025 - 2032

Global Early Life Nutrition Market reached US$ 58 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 109 billion by 2032, growing with a CAGR of 8.21% during the forecast period 2025-2032.

Factors driving the growth of the early life nutrition market include an increase in the number of working mothers, increased spending on newborn health and rising demand for organic baby food. The number of young working mothers has grown significantly in recent years. For instance, In UK, the number of working mothers has reached a record high in recent decades.

In 2021, UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) will publish data on families and the labor market. The data showed that the number of mothers in the labor force had increased significantly during the previous two decades. From April to June 2021, three in four mothers (75.6%) worked in UK, the highest proportion in the same quarter in the last 20 years, up from 66.5% in 2002. In 2021, mothers' employment rate (75.6%) was higher than that of women without dependent children (69.1%).

Dynamics

Increasing Number Of Births Worldwide

The increasing number of births worldwide, particularly in developing nations, fuels the demand for early childhood nutrition items such as infant formula, baby food and supplements. Efforts to increase birth rates in numerous nations contribute to rising demand for baby food over the projection period. For instance, in June 2023, Japan announced plans to invest approximately US$24 billion to increase its fertility rate.

According to the United Nations' World Population Prospects, the birth rate in 2023 was 17.464 births per 1,000 people, with approximately 132.11 million births recorded in 2022. The expanding number of working women, higher spending on infant health and rising demand for organic baby food drive market growth. The number of young working mothers who have played an important part in pushing the rise of the infant nutrition business, which relies heavily on processed baby nutrition products.

According to a poll released by THE JAPAN TIMES LTD. in 2022, Japan had a record 30.35 million working women in June 2023, up 1.22 million from the preceding five years. Similarly, according to AXIOS' September 2023 update, women with children under five accounted for 70.4% of the working population in June 2023, a decrease from 68.9% at the pandemic's peak.

Advancements and Innovations in Infant Formula

Manufacturers in the early life nutrition market are responding to the growing demand for specialized nutrition by continually innovating and expanding their product offerings. Advances in infant formula ingredients and technology, such as the inclusion of prebiotics, probiotics, DHA and myelin, have significantly enhanced the appeal of these products to health-conscious parents.

For instance, in September 2022, Nestle launched Nutrilearn Connect in Hong Kong, a unique formula enriched with myelin, a substance crucial for brain development. Similarly, Bobbie, a clean-label infant formula manufacturer, strengthened its market position by acquiring Nature's One in July 2023, enabling complete control over its production process-from raw material sourcing to canning.

These innovations cater to the growing need for specialized formulas that support the health of premature or health-compromised infants. As a result, parents are increasingly turning to advanced formulas that meet their infants' specific nutritional needs, which is driving the growth of the market. The ongoing improvements in formula composition and production processes are making infant nutrition products more appealing and accessible, contributing to the market expansion.

Legal Concerns and Supply Chain Challenges

The global early life nutrition market faces significant restraints due to legal concerns surrounding infant food safety. Contamination, misleading labeling and inconsistent regulations create health risks, eroding consumer trust. Deceptive marketing practices and nutritional issues, like excessive sugar content, further undermine confidence in products. Additionally, varying regulations across regions increase compliance costs, limiting market growth and making it difficult for businesses to expand.

In US, challenges in the supply of infant formula highlight further market restraints. The 2021-2022 shortage, caused by a recall and production halt, exposed vulnerabilities in the supply chain that can directly impact infant health. This incident underscored the need for stronger risk management to prevent future disruptions. Such supply chain issues pose significant barriers to market stability, affecting both consumer access and brand trust.

Segment Analysis

The global early life nutrition market is segmented based on product, form, distribution channel and region.

Awareness of Early Childhood Nutrition And Advancements In Technology

The rising demand for specialized formulas & products, awareness of early childhood nutrition and advancements in technology are driving the infant nutrition segment as a leading factor in the early life nutrition market. E-commerce platforms provide parents with a broad selection of infant nutrition products, encompassing diverse brands, formulations and specialized items. From the comfort of their homes, parents can conveniently explore various options to find products tailored to their child's specific needs.

Moreover, key players' strategies such as partnerships & collaborations and innovative product launches would propel this segment's growth. For instance, in April 2024, Lallemand Health Solutions and DSM-Firmenich announced a collaboration to create new synergistic synbiotic solutions that combine human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and probiotics, specifically targeting early-life nutrition.

This partnership aims to enhance the nutritional options available for infants and young children by leveraging the distinct advantages offered by both HMOs and probiotics. Similarly, in October 2023, Nestle announced the launch of Sinergity, an innovation in early-life nutrition. Sinergity is a proprietary blend that combines a specific probiotic strain with six human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) to provide tailored support for infant development and unlock health benefits.

Geographical Penetration

High New Births in Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific has a large and rapidly expanding population, which includes a significant number of infants and young children. This demographic trend creates a robust consumer base for infant nutrition products in the area. Countries such as China and India, with their relatively high birth rates compared to other regions globally, play a crucial role in driving the demand for infant nutrition.

Moreover, in this region major numbers of key players presence, technological advancements and product launches that would drive this market growth. For instance, in April 2024, Else Nutrition, an Israeli company known for its plant-based infant and toddler formulas, officially launched its highly anticipated plant-based infant formula in Australia. This launch signifies a major milestone as it marks the company's entry into this market.

The market presents a promising opportunity for growth in the baby and child nutrition sector, projected to exceed US$ 50 billion. Similarly, in March 2024, Wyeth Nutrition, a subsidiary of Nestle, launched China's first infant formula that incorporates two types of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs): 2'-Fucosyllactose (2'-FL) and Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT). This significant development, introduced under the illuma brand, marks a milestone in the Chinese infant nutrition sector.

Also, in September 2023, Danone is set to launch a new infant formula in China this year that features innovative milk droplets designed to closely resemble the structure of human breast milk. This announcement was made by Gregg Ward, the VP and head of Danone Early Life Nutrition, during the Growth Asia Summit 2023. The formula, named Nuturis, incorporates larger milk droplets compared to those found in standard infant formulas.

Competitive Landscape

The major global players in the market include Cargill, Incorporated, Nestle S.A., Danone S.A., Abbott Laboratories, Mead Johnson Nutrition (Reckitt Benckiser Group), Arla Foods, Perrigo Company plc, Hipp GmbH & Co. Vertrieb KG, Else Nutrition USA Inc. and Kabrita.

Consumer Analysis

Parents are highly focused on product safety and quality, expecting brands to comply with global health regulations like FDA, EFSA and ISO standards. Certifications from reputable organizations such as USDA Organic or Non-GMO Project are crucial for parents seeking high-quality products. These certifications not only provide assurance of safety but also align with parents' preferences for products that support their values, such as organic or non-GMO ingredients.

Additionally, parents trust brands that partner with healthcare professionals, such as doctors and dietitians. Expert-backed educational content, including product instructions and nutritional information, helps build trust and loyalty. Moreover, there is a growing demand for customizable products that cater to specific dietary needs, such as age, health conditions or allergies, as parents seek tailored nutrition solutions for their children.

Early Stage Innovations

Early-stage innovations in infant nutrition include personalized nutrition tailored to individual needs, plant-based proteins for alternative dietary options, sustainable packaging to reduce environmental impact, enhanced iron bioavailability for better absorption and using HMOs to replicate breast milk's immune and gut health benefits. HMOs are complex carbohydrates found in breast milk that support immune development and gut health by promoting beneficial bacteria. Their inclusion in infant formula aims to more closely replicate the nutritional profile of breast milk.

Key Developments

• In November 2024, DSM-Firmenich launched Dry Vit A Palmitate for Early Life Nutrition, a clean-label solution that enhances infant formula nutrition without the stability issues of traditional vitamin A ingredients.
• In October 2023, Nestle developed Sinergity, a blend of probiotics and six HMOs to support infant development. The combination of B. infantis LMG11588 and HMOs enhances gut health and immunity by promoting beneficial bacteria, creating a synergistic effect for stronger immunity and a healthier gut.

Why Purchase the Report?

• To visualize the global early life nutrition market segmentation based on product, form, function, application, distribution channel and region, as well as understand key commercial assets and players.
• Identify commercial opportunities by analyzing trends and co-development.
• Excel data sheet with numerous data points of the early life nutrition market with all segments.
• PDF report consists of a comprehensive analysis after exhaustive qualitative interviews and an in-depth study.
• Product mapping available as excel consisting of key products of all the major players.

The global early life nutrition market report would provide approximately 62 tables, 56 figures and 201 pages.

Target Audience 2025

• Manufacturers/ Buyers
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Research Professionals
• Emerging Companies