Market Definition
Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) are a complex group of carbohydrates naturally present in human breast milk. After lactose and lipids, they are the third most abundant solid component in breast milk and are composed of various monosaccharides (simple sugars) linked together in different arrangements.
Market Insights
The Global Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) Market is projected to grow at around 21.75% CAGR during the forecast period, i.e., 2023-28. The growth of the market would be propelled mainly by increasing concerns among consumers regarding health & wellness, growing awareness about the importance of optimal nutrition for infants as well as the benefits of HMOs. Besides, the ever-increased focus on infant health & development, coupled with technological advancements in HMO production methods, are other prominent aspects expected to drive the market in the future.
Report Coverage | Details |
---|---|
Study Period | Historical Data: 2018-21 |
Base Year: 2022 | |
Forecast Period: 2023-28 | |
CAGR (2023-2028) | 21.75% |
Regions Covered | North America: The US, Canada, Mexico |
Europe: Germany, The UK, France, Spain, Italy, Rest of Europe | |
Asia-Pacific: China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Rest of Asia-Pacific | |
South America: Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America | |
Middle East & Africa: The UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Rest of the Middle East & Africa | |
Key Companies Profiled | Biosynth Carbosynth, Chr. Hansen Holding A/S, Dextra Laboratories Ltd., DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences, Elicityl S.A., Glycosyn, Inbiose NV, Medolac Laboratories, Nestle Health Science, ROYAL DSM, BASF SE, Abbott Laboratories, GNUBIOTICS Sciences S.A., Dextra Laboratories, Others |
Unit Denominations | USD Million/Billion |
Several companies operating in the industry are massively investing in R&D activities to develop new HMO types, improve production processes, and expand the range of applications in order to boost innovations & product development. The rising infant population, urbanization, increasing disposable incomes, and changing lifestyles continue to augment the demand for HMOs, and they are being increasingly incorporated into infant formula products to enhance their nutritional value and mimic the benefits of breast milk.
Moreover, favorable government policies toward encouraging the use of HMOs, the mounting demand for dietary supplements that help improve metabolic activity by promoting bacterial growth, and the increasing application of HMOs in pharmaceuticals, infant formulas, & medicinal foods are also anticipated to spur growth in the Global Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) Market through 2028.
Market Dynamics
Key Driver: Increasing awareness of the Health Benefits of HMOs and the Rising Demand for Improved Infant Nutrition
There is a growing awareness of the crucial role of nutrition in early childhood development & long-term health outcomes. Since HMOs are naturally occurring components of breast milk, they have been linked to various health benefits, like a healthy gut microbiome, enhanced immunity, and protection against pathogens. This increased focus on infant health & nutrition is fueling the demand for HMOs in infant formula & baby food products worldwide. Numerous studies have cited the potential health benefits of HMOs for infants and created much evidence that supports the positive impact of HMOs on gut health, immune development, and overall well-being, which, in turn, has increased awareness & acceptance of HMOs among healthcare professionals, parents, & consumers. Hence, these factors are expected to drive the Global Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) Market during 2023-28.
Growth Restraint: High Production Cost of HMO-composed Supplements and Food Products
The natural abundance of HMOs in human milk is limited, which makes it challenging to extract sufficient quantities for commercial production. As a result, alternative production methods like microbial fermentation or enzymatic synthesis are employed, which involve multiple steps and require specific enzymes or microorganisms that are costly to develop & maintain. In addition, scaling up the HMO production from a laboratory to commercial-scale also poses significant challenges, as it requires optimizing production processes, ensuring consistent quality & purity, and managing large-scale fermentation or synthesis operations, which further increase the production costs and limit the availability of HMOs in the market. Hence, these aspects are projected to restrain the growth of the Global Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) Market through 2028.
Market Segmentation
Based on Type:
Of them all, 2'-FL dominates the Global Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) Market, mainly on account of its structural similarity to & abundance in human breast milk, owing to which it is extensively studied & successfully produced on a commercial scale globally. 2'-FL has been the subject of numerous scientific studies, which demonstrated its potential health benefits for infants, like the development of a healthy gut microbiome, strengthened immune system, and protection against pathogens.
It has also received regulatory approvals in several countries as a safe ingredient for use in infant formula & baby food products, which, consequently, has facilitated its incorporation into commercial products. Many companies have come up with different methods to produce 2'-FL through fermentation processes using specialized enzymes & microorganisms. Hence, as more & more infant formula manufacturers are increasingly incorporating 2'FL into their product offerings to cater to the ever-rising demand for infant formulas with HMOs, it is spurring growth in the Global Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) Market.
Based on Application:
Here, infant formula is the leading application for HMOs and is used extensively as a substitute for breast milk across various regions where breastfeeding rates are less. The demand for HMOs in designing infant formulas is rapidly increasing worldwide owing to their benefits, such as improved gut health, enhanced memory, brain development, infection prevention, and prebiotic effects. More & more manufacturers are incorporating HMOs into infant formula to enhance the nutritional value of their products and offer benefits similar to breast milk. Societal changes, the convenience of infant formula, and the rising number of working mothers worldwide are all driving the Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) Market.
Regional Projection:
Of all regions globally, Asia-Pacific is projected to acquire a significant share of the Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) Market during 2023-28. It owes mainly to the increasing population & urbanization, the rising awareness of breastfeeding benefits, and economic growth in several countries. Besides, the growing demand for infant formulas & functional beverages, the rapidly expanding dairy industry, and an increased focus on consuming nutritious foods are other prominent aspects fueling the regional market growth.
Asia-Pacific is witnessing a rapidly rising prevalence of chronic ailments like gut diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure, & rickets, i.e., leading to the ever-increasing demand for functional food & beverages, which, consequently, is augmenting the demand for HMOs across the region. Also, with a growing awareness of the importance & benefits of breastfeeding for infant health, there is an increased interest in infant formulas & baby food products to replicate the nutritional benefits of breast milk, including the addition of HMOs.
Several countries in the region have implemented regulations toward encouraging the use of HMOs in infant formulas in order to improve the quality of infant nutrition products and promote their health. The growing markets for dietary supplements & baby food, especially in countries like India & China, are also projected to contribute significantly to the Asia-Pacific Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) Market over the coming years.
Recent Developments in the Global Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) Market
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Frequently Asked Questions
A. The Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) Market is expected to register around 21.75% CAGR during 2023-28.
A. The ever-increasing awareness of the health benefits of HMOs and the growing demand for improved infant nutrition are the prime aspects projected to drive the Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) Market during 2023-28.
A. Biosynth Carbosynth, Chr. Hansen Holding A/S, Dextra Laboratories Ltd., DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences, Elicityl S.A., Glycosyn, Inbiose NV, Medolac Laboratories, Nestle Health Science, ROYAL DSM, BASF SE, Abbott Laboratories, GNUBIOTICS Sciences S.A., and Dextra Laboratories are the key players operating in the Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) Market.
A. High production costs associated with HMO-composed supplements & food products are the major growth restraints for the Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) Market.
A. Infant Formula would continue generating lucrative prospects for the leading companies in the Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) Market during 2023-28.
A. Asia-Pacific would provide profitable opportunities to the Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) Market over the forecast years.