Japan Baby Food Products Market Forecast 2025-2032

The Japan baby food products market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of -0.92% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2032. The market was valued at $734.90 million in 2024 and is expected to reach a revenue of $681.34 million by 2032. In terms of volume, the Japan baby food products market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of -0.74% during the forecast period. The market was valued at 41.13 kilotons in 2024 and is expected to reach a volume of 38.68 kilotons by 2032.

MARKET INSIGHTS

In 2024, the baby food products market in Japan experienced growth, primarily driven by price increases implemented in 2023 due to rising costs for raw materials, packaging, and energy. Leading companies such as Meiji Co Ltd and Morinaga Milk adjusted their pricing strategies in late 2022 and 2023, influencing the market. For example, Meiji raised its manufacturer shipping prices by 7-8% in November 2022, followed by an additional increase of approximately 8% in May 2023. These adjustments continued to shape the market's value performance throughout 2024.

Despite Japan's declining birth rate, retail volumes for baby food products remained stable in 2024. This stability was supported by the high prevalence of dual-income households, with around 75% of married couples having both partners employed. This trend facilitated a faster return to work for many women after childbirth, as noted in the 2024 'White Paper on Gender Equality.' Additionally, increased tourism contributed to the resilience of the baby food category, with Japanese products maintaining appeal and competitiveness in international markets, aided by a favorable exchange rate.

However, the long-term outlook for baby food retail volumes reflected the challenges posed by Japan's declining birth rate. Data from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare indicated that the number of births fell below 800,000 for the first time in 2022, followed by a 5% decline in 2023 compared to the previous year. This contrasted with the approximately 2.7 million births recorded in 1949. Furthermore, the decrease in the number of marriages, which dropped by 6% in 2023, is expected to influence future birth rates, potentially impacting the retail volume sales of baby food products over time.

SEGMENTATION ANALYSIS

The report on the Japan baby food products market includes segmentation analysis on the basis of category and distribution channel.

Market by Category:

Dried Baby Food
Prepared Baby Food
Other Baby Food
Milk Formula
Standard Milk Formula
Follow-On Milk Formula
Special Baby Milk Formula

Market by Distribution Channel:

Retail Offline
Retail E-Commerce

Inkwood Research's report on the Japan Baby Food Products Market provides in-depth insights as well as the market's segmentation analysis. The detailed evaluation of the market includes PESTLE Analysis, Market Maturity Analysis, Market Concentration Analysis, Value Chain Analysis, Key Buying Criteria, and Competitive Landscape.

COMPETITIVE INSIGHTS

Some of the prominent players in the Japan baby food products market include Asahi Group Foods Ltd, Meiji Co Ltd, Morinaga Milk Industry Co Ltd, etc.

Asahi Group Foods Ltd is a Japanese company engaged in the food and beverage sector, including the production and distribution of baby food products. The company offers a variety of baby food items, such as ready-to-eat meals, powdered products, and nutritional snacks tailored to the dietary needs of infants and toddlers. It is part of Asahi Group Holdings Ltd, a diversified conglomerate with interests in beverages, food, and other consumer goods. The headquarters of Asahi Group Foods Ltd is located in Tokyo, Japan.

Product Code: 101235

1. RESEARCH SCOPE & METHODOLOGY

1.1. STUDY OBJECTIVES
1.2. METHODOLOGY
1.3. ASSUMPTIONS & LIMITATIONS

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

2.1. MARKET SIZE & ESTIMATES
2.2. COUNTRY SNAPSHOT
2.3. COUNTRY ANALYSIS
2.4. SCOPE OF STUDY
2.5. MAJOR MARKET FINDINGS
- 2.5.1. RISING INCLINATION OF GROWTH TOWARD ORGANIC BABY FOOD PRODUCTS
- 2.5.2. GROWING POPULARITY OF INFANT FORMULA

3. MARKET DYNAMICS

3.1. KEY DRIVERS
- 3.1.1. DEVELOPMENT OF ORGANIC AND HEALTH-FOCUSED FORMULAS IS CATERING TO EVOLVING PARENTAL PREFERENCES
- 3.1.2. LIFESTYLE CHANGES AND INCREASING BIRTH RATES ARE DRIVING DEMAND FOR BABY FOOD PRODUCTS
- 3.1.3. AVAILABILITY OF BABY FOOD THROUGH ORGANIZED RETAIL AND DIGITAL PLATFORMS TO DRIVE ACCESSIBILITY
3.2. KEY RESTRAINTS
- 3.2.1. SHIFTING PARENTAL PREFERENCE TOWARD HOMEMADE FOOD ALTERNATIVES LIMITS RELIANCE ON PACKAGED PRODUCTS
- 3.2.2. HIGH COSTS OF ORGANIC BABY FOOD ARE EXPECTED TO CREATE BARRIERS FOR PRICE-SENSITIVE CONSUMERS
- 3.2.3. INCREASED BREASTFEEDING RATES PROMOTED BY GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES REDUCE THE DEMAND FOR BABY FOOD

4. KEY ANALYTICS

4.1. KEY MARKET TRENDS
- 4.1.1. INNOVATIONS IN BABY FOOD FORMULATIONS AND PACKAGING AIMED AT CONVENIENCE AND WASTE REDUCTION
- 4.1.2. INCREASING RELIANCE ON E-COMMERCE PLATFORMS AS A KEY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL FOR BABY FOOD PRODUCTS
- 4.1.3. DEVELOPMENT OF ECO-FRIENDLY AND PORTABLE PACKAGING SOLUTIONS ENHANCING PRODUCT APPEAL
4.2. PESTLE ANALYSIS
- 4.2.1. POLITICAL
- 4.2.2. ECONOMICAL
- 4.2.3. SOCIAL
- 4.2.4. TECHNOLOGICAL
- 4.2.5. LEGAL
- 4.2.6. ENVIRONMENTAL
4.3. PORTER'S FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS
- 4.3.1. BUYERS POWER
- 4.3.2. SUPPLIERS POWER
- 4.3.3. SUBSTITUTION
- 4.3.4. NEW ENTRANTS
- 4.3.5. INDUSTRY RIVALRY
4.4. GROWTH PROSPECT MAPPING FOR JAPAN
4.5. MARKET MATURITY ANALYSIS
4.6. MARKET CONCENTRATION ANALYSIS
4.7. VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS
- 4.7.1. RAW MATERIAL PROCUREMENT
- 4.7.2. MANUFACTURING AND PROCESSING
- 4.7.3. DISTRIBUTION AND LOGISTICS
- 4.7.4. MARKETING AND CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT
4.8. KEY BUYING CRITERIA
- 4.8.1. NUTRITIONAL VALUE AND SAFETY
- 4.8.2. TASTE AND TEXTURE SUITABILITY
- 4.8.3. CONVENIENCE AND PACKAGING
- 4.8.4. PRICE AND BRAND REPUTATION

5. MARKET BY CATEGORY (IN TERMS OF REVENUE: $ MILLION & IN TERMS OF VOLUME: KILOTONS)

5.1. DRIED BABY FOOD
5.2. PREPARED BABY FOOD
5.3. OTHER BABY FOOD
5.4. MILK FORMULA
- 5.4.1. STANDARD MILK FORMULA
- 5.4.2. FOLLOW-ON MILK FORMULA
- 5.4.3. SPECIAL BABY MILK FORMULA

6. MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL

6.1. RETAIL OFFLINE
6.2. RETAIL E-COMMERCE

7. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

7.1. KEY STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENTS
- 7.1.1. MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
- 7.1.2. PRODUCT LAUNCHES & DEVELOPMENTS
- 7.1.3. PARTNERSHIPS & AGREEMENTS
- 7.1.4. BUSINESS EXPANSIONS & DIVESTITURES
7.2. MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS
7.3. BRAND SHARE ANALYSIS
7.4. COMPANY PROFILES
- 7.4.1. ASAHI GROUP FOODS LTD
  - 7.4.1.1. COMPANY OVERVIEW
  - 7.4.1.2. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO
  - 7.4.1.3. STRENGTHS & CHALLENGES
- 7.4.2. MEIJI CO LTD
  - 7.4.2.1. COMPANY OVERVIEW
  - 7.4.2.2. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO
  - 7.4.2.3. STRENGTHS & CHALLENGES
- 7.4.3. MORINAGA MILK INDUSTRY CO LTD
  - 7.4.3.1. COMPANY OVERVIEW
  - 7.4.3.2. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO
  - 7.4.3.3. STRENGTHS & CHALLENGES
- 7.4.4. BEAN STALK SNOW CO LTD
  - 7.4.4.1. COMPANY OVERVIEW
  - 7.4.4.2. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO
  - 7.4.4.3. STRENGTHS & CHALLENGES
- 7.4.5. KEWPIE CORP
  - 7.4.5.1. COMPANY OVERVIEW
  - 7.4.5.2. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO
  - 7.4.5.3. STRENGTHS & CHALLENGES
- 7.4.6. PIGEON CORP
  - 7.4.6.1. COMPANY OVERVIEW
  - 7.4.6.2. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO
  - 7.4.6.3. STRENGTHS & CHALLENGES
- 7.4.7. ICREO CO LTD
  - 7.4.7.1. COMPANY OVERVIEW
  - 7.4.7.2. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO
  - 7.4.7.3. STRENGTHS & CHALLENGES

Product Code: 101235

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE 1: MARKET SNAPSHOT - BABY FOOD PRODUCTS
TABLE 2: COUNTRY SNAPSHOT - JAPAN
TABLE 3: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET, HISTORICAL YEARS, 2018-2023 (IN $ MILLION)
TABLE 4: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET, FORECAST YEARS, 2025-2032 (IN $ MILLION)
TABLE 5: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET, HISTORICAL YEARS, 2018-2023 (IN KILOTONS)
TABLE 6: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET, FORECAST YEARS, 2025-2032 (IN KILOTONS)
TABLE 7: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET, BY CATEGORY, HISTORICAL YEARS, 2018-2023 (IN $ MILLION)
TABLE 8: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET, BY CATEGORY, FORECAST YEARS, 2025-2032 (IN $ MILLION)
TABLE 9: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET, BY CATEGORY, HISTORICAL YEARS, 2018-2023 (IN KILOTONS)
TABLE 10: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET, BY CATEGORY, FORECAST YEARS, 2025-2032 (IN KILOTONS)
TABLE 11: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET, BY MILK FORMULA, HISTORICAL YEARS, 2018-2023 (IN $ MILLION)
TABLE 12: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET, BY MILK FORMULA, FORECAST YEARS, 2025-2032 (IN $ MILLION)
TABLE 13: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET, BY MILK FORMULA, HISTORICAL YEARS, 2018-2023 (IN KILOTONS)
TABLE 14: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET, BY MILK FORMULA, FORECAST YEARS, 2025-2032 (IN KILOTONS)
TABLE 15: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET, BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, HISTORICAL YEARS, 2018-2023 (IN $ MILLION)
TABLE 16: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET, BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, FORECAST YEARS, 2025-2032 (IN $ MILLION)
TABLE 17: LIST OF MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
TABLE 18: LIST OF PRODUCT LAUNCHES & DEVELOPMENTS
TABLE 19: LIST OF PARTNERSHIPS & AGREEMENTS
TABLE 20: LIST OF BUSINESS EXPANSIONS & DIVESTITURES

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE 1: KEY MARKET TRENDS
FIGURE 2: PORTER'S FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS
FIGURE 3: GROWTH PROSPECT MAPPING FOR JAPAN
FIGURE 4: MARKET MATURITY ANALYSIS
FIGURE 5: MARKET CONCENTRATION ANALYSIS
FIGURE 6: VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS
FIGURE 7: KEY BUYING CRITERIA
FIGURE 8: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET, GROWTH POTENTIAL, BY CATEGORY, IN 2024
FIGURE 9: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET, BY DRIED BABY FOOD, 2025-2032 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 10: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET, BY PREPARED BABY FOOD, 2025-2032 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 11: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET, BY OTHER BABY FOOD, 2025-2032 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 12: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET, BY MILK FORMULA, 2025-2032 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 13: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET, GROWTH POTENTIAL, BY MILK FORMULA, IN 2024
FIGURE 14: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET, BY STANDARD MILK FORMULA, 2025-2032 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 15: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET, BY FOLLOW-ON MILK FORMULA, 2025-2032 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 16: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET, BY SPECIAL BABY MILK FORMULA, 2025-2032 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 17: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET, GROWTH POTENTIAL, BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, IN 2024
FIGURE 18: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET, BY RETAIL OFFLINE, 2025-2032 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 19: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET, BY RETAIL E-COMMERCE, 2025-2032 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 20: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET - MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS, 2023 & 2024 (IN %)
FIGURE 21: JAPAN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS MARKET - BRAND SHARE ANALYSIS, 2023 & 2024 (IN %)