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Breast Milk Substitutes Market Size

Report ID: GMI3373
Published Date: Dec 2024
Report Format: PDF

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Breast Milk Substitutes Market Size

The breast milk substitutes market size was valued at around USD 87.4 billion in 2024 and is estimated to grow at 9.9% CAGR from 2025 to 2034. Breast milk substitute (BMS) refers to any food product designed to replace breast milk for infants, primarily in the form of infant formula.

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It is used when breastfeeding is not possible or insufficient, or when an infant requires supplemental nutrition. BMS products are typically made from cow's milk, soy, or other plant-based proteins. These products are often fortified with essential nutrients to approximate the nutritional profile of breast milk.

Several factors are driving the rising demand for breast milk substitutes (BMS). Many women encounter difficulties in breastfeeding due to stress, prior breast surgeries, or medical conditions impacting milk production. Furthermore, technological advancements and innovative product launches in the BMS market are poised to spur growth. For instance, in March 2021, 108LABS unveiled Colostrupedis, a groundbreaking animal-free formula for newborns. This formula, crafted to neutralize antibodies released by humans, incorporated cell-grown breast milk molecules derived from human breast cell agriculture. Such pioneering developments are set to catalyze market growth. Collectively, these elements are projected to propel industry expansion.

Urbanization has fostered the rise of nuclear families, often diminishing the traditional support for breastfeeding that extended family members would typically offer. This diminished support can render BMS an appealing choice for new mothers lacking the time or resources for exclusive breastfeeding. The World Health Organization (WHO) underscores this challenge, noting that while breastfeeding is the gold standard for infant nutrition, a mere 44% of infants globally are exclusively breastfed before the age of 6 months. Such figures illuminate the hurdles many mothers encounter in sustaining exclusive breastfeeding, amplifying the allure of BMS products, especially in urban locales.

Breast Milk Substitutes Market Report Attributes
Report Attribute	Details
Base Year:	2024
Breast Milk Substitutes Market Size in 2024:	USD 87.4 Billion
Forecast Period:	2025 – 2034
Forecast Period 2025 – 2034 CAGR:	9.9%
2025 – 2034 Value Projection:	USD 224.2 Billion
Historical Data for:	2021 – 2024
No. of Pages:	139
Tables, Charts & Figures:	104
Segments covered:	Substitute Type, Formula Type, Distribution Channel, and Region
Growth Drivers:	Increasing number of working women population base Rising awareness and growing acceptance of infant formula across developing countries Rising corporate expenditure on breast milk substitute advertising Higher birth rate in developing countries coupled with rise in number of premium infant nutrition substitute types
Pitfalls & Challenges:	Stringent regulation for marketing of breast milk substitutes

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Authors: Mariam Faizullabhoy, Gauri Wani

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

The breast milk substitutes industry was valued at approximately USD 87.4 billion in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a 9.9% CAGR from 2025 to 2034, driven by increasing maternal health challenges and insufficient milk supply.

The milk-based formula segment held the largest revenue share of 72.5% in 2024 due to health-related factors such as insufficient milk supply and the risk of disease transmission from mothers to infants.

The U.S. breast milk substitutes market is projected to reach USD 52.6 billion by 2034, driven by the high percentage of mothers returning to the workforce shortly after childbirth.

In 2023, 68.9% of mothers with children under 6 were part of the labor force, making breast milk substitutes a practical feeding option for working mothers.

Key players in the market include Abbott Laboratories, Arla Foods, Beingmate Baby & Child Food, Danone, Fonterra Co-operative Group, FrieslandCampina, Hero Group, HiPP, Kendamil, and Mead Johnson.