PUBLISHER: Market Xcel - Markets and Data | PRODUCT CODE: 1522720
PUBLISHER: Market Xcel - Markets and Data | PRODUCT CODE: 1522720
Global baby food market is projected to witness a CAGR of 4.21% during the forecast period 2024-2031, growing from USD 134.98 billion in 2023 to USD 187.73 billion in 2031. The market growth is propelled by the introducing diverse flavors, incorporating healthy ingredients in baby food, and high birth rates.
Other factors, such as the rise in the popularity of organic baby food and the increase in women's workforce, are driving the market growth. Moreover, the market is expanding with a rise in the live birth rates of various countries in the world. The rising working population of females is driving the growth of the market due to the increase in their busy lifestyle and demand for quick and convenient food, thus, fostering the demand for ready-to-feed baby foods that help in feeding their babies at any time.
Moreover, the surging trend for hypoallergenic baby food is contributing to the rising demand as consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the repercussions of the baby food, which adversely affects the health of the babies. Parents increasingly prefer baby foods formulated with healthy ingredients free from artificial colors and preservatives that affect the health of the babies. Moreover, consumers are seeking products that are free from gluten and are non-GMO. In March 2023, Beech-Nut, a brand of Hero AG introduced, Beech-Nut Golden Corn cereal for infants at around four months and older. The cereal is gluten-free, rice-free, and non-GMO, without artificial preservatives, flavors, colors, sweeteners, and salt.
Pediatrician-recommended Baby Food to be Preferred by the Consumers
Consumers prefer pediatrician-recommended food for their babies as they trust pediatricians, considering their recommendations safe with the nutrients required for their babies. Due to the increasing awareness amongst consumers regarding proper nutrition as quintessential to their infant's growth and development, the demand for baby food recommended by pediatricians is rising. Pediatrician-recommended foods often have compositions that meet the needs of an infant's diet in every stage of his development. Parents prefer these products as they are assured to possess all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients required for healthy growth.
Pediatricians advise on baby foods appropriate for an infant's development, includes the texture and consistency that is appropriate along with the ingredients suitable for the infant. The guidance helps parents navigate the transition from breastfeeding or bottle feeding to solid foods and reduces the risk of choking, indigestion, or loss of infant's appetite.
Babies who are allergic, intolerant, or are born with some specific health conditions require more personalized nutritional solutions. Pediatrician-recommended baby foods often address these special dietary needs, from hypoallergenic options to solutions for specific health issues, and ensure the babies get the appropriate type of nutrition in their early stages.
Baby Food Relieving the Symptoms of Cow Milk Allergy to be Preferred by the Consumers
Babies tend to catch allergies earlier than adults as they have weak immunity. As a result, parents prefer baby foods that help them relieve allergies, commonly found in infants, such as cow milk allergy. As per the estimates of the Canadian Pediatric Society in June 2024, cow's milk protein allergies in infants were found to be varied between 2% and 7.5%.
There are a lot of adverse reactions, such as skin rashes, digestive disorders, and respiratory problems, due to which parents highly demand baby foods that help in healing. The hypoallergenic formula without cow milk proteins has been formulated by the key players who ensure relief in CMA so that it is safe for consumption by allergic babies. For instance, in March 2023, Danone S.A. announced the latest hypoallergenic baby formula brand, Pepticate, which is a hydrolyzed powdered formula specially designed to provide relief from the symptoms of cow milk allergy (CMA) in infants aged between 0 to 12 months.
Various parents seek pediatricians advice on the management of CMA, wherein, it is largely advised to use specialized baby foods which are scientifically formulated and clinically tested to alleviate the symptoms of CMA. Medical advice provides the confidence to parents in their feeding choices and reassurance that they have met their baby's dietary requirements safely.
Early management of cow milk allergy can prevent long-term health complications. Appropriate allergen-free nutrition enables parents to support their child's development while minimizing the risk of further allergic conditions or nutritional deficiencies later in life.
Organic Baby Food Acting as a Catalyst
Organic baby food is preferred by the consumers as parents perceive organic baby food to be a healthier option. As organic products are free from artificial additives that can be harmful upon consumption, such baby foods are highly demanded by the consumers.
Organic baby foods are perceived to be more nutritious, rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, as opposed to conventional options, therefore appealing more to the consumers, driving the market growth.
Moreover, the growing awareness of the consumers for the benefits accruable from organic baby foods, has led to its increased demand. Transparency in sourcing and production processes and labeling on organic baby foods builds trust among the consumers, ensuring food safety, further augmenting the market growth.
In March 2024, Little Spoon entered the Baby Snack Category with the launch of its latest organic baby puffs. These snacks are available in two distinct flavors and shapes, Organic Kale Apple Curls and Organic Banana Meltable Pitaya Rings. The product has been majorly developed for babies who are above 6 months and are on their first self-feeding stage.
North America to Dominate the Global Baby Food Market Share
North America accounts for major market share in global baby food market. These reasons include the growing rate of infant population in the region, which is augmenting the market growth. As per the estimates of Central Intelligence Agency of the United States of America in 2024, the birth rate in Mexico is highest in the region, with 14.3 births per 1000 population, the United States with 12.2 births per 1000 population, and Canada with 10 births per 1000 population. Moreover, as per The National Vital Statistics System in the United States in 2022, there were a total of 3.67 million births, exhibiting a birth rate of 11.0 per 1000 population.
The region is observing a growth of baby foods formulated with ingredients, such as berries and vegetables, which help in the physical and cognitive development of the babies. Moreover, the retail expansion of baby food brands in North America is augmenting the growth of baby food market. In March 2023, Cerebelly Inc., a science-backed baby food brand that primarily focuses on supporting the optimal brain development of the babies, launched its products at the Walmart stores nationwide in the United States. It resulted in the increase in the retail presence of the company to over 8,200 doors in the country.
Future Market Scenario (2024 - 2031F)
Global baby food market is anticipated to witness expansion in the forecast period due to several significant reasons. The baby food market is growing rapidly, replacing homemade foods with blended organic baby foods that are easy to prepare and convenient for busy individuals. As babies start to learn self-feeding at nine months of age, the market is witnessing an opportunity for finger foods for babies, which help the babies inculcate the habit of eating at an early stage.
Key Players Landscape and Outlook
Continuous innovation, expansion of production capacities and product portfolio, and partnerships among the key players characterize the landscape of baby food globally, as the companies compete to outperform one another regarding various unique features. The key players are raising funds from investors to raise their productive capacity and innovate and commercialize their new products in the market. For instance, ByHeart, Inc. is transforming the infant formula industry through the expansion of productive capacity and commercial launch, which was announced in May 2024. The company received USD 95 million in funding to support the continued commercial launch and development of the innovation pipeline in the United States. The company has raised a total amount of USD 395 million from investors, including names such as Bellco Capital, Polaris Partners, and Red Sea Ventures.
All segments will be provided for all regions and countries covered
Companies mentioned above DO NOT hold any order as per market share and can be changed as per information available during research work.