Infant Milk Powder Market Size & Growth [2033]

Infant Milk Powder Market Overview

The Infant Milk Powder Market size was valued at USD 29601.05 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 39710.38 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 3.3% from 2025 to 2033.

The global infant milk powder market centers around approximately 150 million infants aged 0–12 months worldwide. In 2024, the sector produced nearly 35 million metric tons of baby formula, divided across retail (52%), e‑commerce (28%), healthcare (12%), and other channels (8%). Cow’s‑milk‑based formulas remain dominant, capturing over 68% of total volume, while soy, goat, hydrolysate, and specialty formulas account for the remaining 32%. Global per‑infant consumption rose from 5.5 kg to 7.8 kg during 2008–2013 and reached 10.8 kg by 2018. The U.S. infant formula market reached USD 4,500 million in 2023 with e‑commerce and supermarkets driving distribution. In 2024, Asia‑Pacific accounted for nearly 68.7% share of the broader infant formula category. This combination of large birth cohorts, increasing per‑capita consumption, robust retail networks, and regional concentration highlights the scale and structure of the infant milk powder market.

Key Findings

Driver: High birth rates in Asia-Pacific and increasing female workforce participation are significantly boosting demand for infant milk powder.

Top Country/Region: China dominates the global infant milk powder market, accounting for over 35% of global demand by volume in 2024.

Top Segment: Cow’s milk-based formula remains the leading product category, contributing to more than 68% of total market volume in 2024.

Infant Milk Powder Market Trends

The infant milk powder market is experiencing dynamic shifts driven by demographic, nutritional, and regulatory trends. In 2024, global infant population (0–36 months) stood at 430 million, with Asia-Pacific accounting for nearly 60% of births annually. This translates into higher volume requirements for infant nutrition products, especially powdered formula. A key trend in the market is the surge in demand for organic and clean-label formulations. Over 18% of newly launched infant formulas in 2023 carried organic certification. HiPP, Holle, and Bellamy’s lead this niche, with Europe contributing 46% of global organic infant formula consumption. Additionally, non-GMO and palm-oil-free labeling has grown by 34% YoY as consumer health consciousness intensifies. E-commerce has reshaped market access. In 2024, approximately 31% of infant milk powder sales were through online platforms, compared to just 12% in 2018. Online-exclusive brands and private labels have seen a 22% increase in volume share in 2023–2024. China’s Tmall and JD platforms dominate, processing over USD 3.2 billion worth of infant formula sales in 2023.

Regulatory updates are also shaping the landscape. The Codex Alimentarius Committee revised protein content guidelines for stage-1 formulas in 2023, affecting over 12% of existing formulations. Compliance pressure has driven reformulation costs, particularly for brands exporting into the EU and Gulf nations. Sustainability is gaining traction. Over 22 global brands have committed to recyclable or bio-based packaging for formula containers by 2026. Nestlé’s SMA Nutrition line transitioned to recyclable containers in early 2024, cutting plastic use by 8.3 tons annually in the UK alone. Furthermore, consumer preference for hypoallergenic and lactose-free formulas is expanding. These variants saw a 14% growth in unit sales globally in 2023–2024, supported by rising allergy detection rates and pediatric recommendations. Together, these trends highlight a market increasingly segmented by consumer awareness, premium nutrition, and digital shopping behaviors, while being reshaped by evolving global standards and sustainability concerns.

Infant Milk Powder Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Increasing Female Workforce Participation

As more women join the workforce globally, reliance on convenient infant feeding solutions has grown. In 2024, the global female labor force participation rate was 48.5%, with urban areas showing higher engagement. In China, over 60% of mothers return to work within six months post-delivery, driving demand for infant milk powder. Similarly, in India, urban employment among women with infants rose to 29.4% in 2023, up from 22.1% in 2020. This transition necessitates accessible and nutritionally complete alternatives to breastfeeding, particularly in dual-income households.

RESTRAINT

Breastfeeding Advocacy and Government Policies

Global health agencies and national governments continue to advocate breastfeeding as the optimal choice for infant nutrition. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. As of 2023, 70+ countries have implemented stringent marketing regulations for infant formula under the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. For instance, Thailand bans formula advertisements for babies under 12 months, while France enforces warning labels. In the Philippines, only 23% of infants under 6 months consume formula due to strong community breastfeeding initiatives.

OPPORTUNITY

Rising Demand for Specialty and Medical Formulas

The medical nutrition segment of infant milk powder is expanding due to the increase in premature births, food allergies, and lactose intolerance. Globally, around 15 million babies are born prematurely every year. In response, demand for hydrolysate-based and amino acid formulas is rising. In 2024, hypoallergenic formulas made up 11.2% of the total infant formula market by volume.

CHALLENGE

Rising Costs and Global Supply Chain Disruptions

The infant milk powder industry faces rising raw material and manufacturing costs. In 2024, global dairy prices increased by 16%, impacting base inputs such as skimmed milk powder, whey protein, and lactose. Energy and packaging costs also surged by 9.3%, raising the overall production cost per kilogram. In parallel, supply chain bottlenecks—especially around key ports in China and Europe—disrupted delivery timelines, extending restocking cycles from 12 days to 24 days in some regions.

Infant Milk Powder Market Segmentation

The infant milk powder market is segmented by type and application. By type, cow’s milk-based formula holds the largest share, followed by soy-based, protein hydrolysate-based, and specialty formulas. By application, demand is categorized into three main age groups: 0–6 months, 6–12 months, and 12–36 months, each with distinct nutritional requirements and regulatory labeling guidelines. Globally, Stage 1 formulas dominate with over 46% share by volume, as newborns make up the highest formula-fed population.

By Type

Cow's Milk-Based Formula: continues to dominate the market with over 68% share globally in 2024. These formulas mimic breast milk using skimmed milk, whey protein, and added nutrients like DHA, ARA, and iron. Cow's milk-based powder accounted for over 24 million metric tons in production globally in 2024. Brands such as Enfamil, Aptamil, and Similac are leading players.
Soy-Based Formula: are preferred for infants with lactose intolerance or cow’s milk protein allergies. In 2024, they held approximately 12% of the market. These formulas contain soy protein isolate fortified with methionine, vitamins, and minerals. The U.S. and Brazil are the two largest consumers, with soy-based infant powder sales increasing by 7% YoY in 2023–2024.
Protein Hydrolysate-Based Formula: These formulas are designed for easier digestion, containing proteins broken down into smaller peptides. They accounted for nearly 9% of the market by volume in 2024. Used primarily for infants at high allergy risk, these products are extensively consumed in neonatal intensive care units and pediatric hospitals.
Specialty Formula: target specific medical conditions such as premature birth, metabolic disorders, or malabsorption syndromes. These niche products comprised approximately 6% of global consumption in 2024. These include formulas for PKU (phenylketonuria) and galactosemia, with rising usage in the EU and North America.

By Application

0–6 Months Baby (First Class): Formulas for infants aged 0–6 months dominate the market with over 46% global share. These Stage 1 products aim to replicate breast milk closely, including essential fatty acids and easily digestible proteins. In 2024, over 210 million cans of Stage 1 formula were sold in Asia-Pacific alone. Regulatory scrutiny is highest in this category, especially in the EU, Australia, and Japan, where strict compositional guidelines exist. Demand in hospitals and maternity clinics also supports volume growth.
6–12 Months Baby (Second Class): This category accounts for approximately 34% of the market. These Stage 2 formulas are designed to complement weaning diets and include more iron, calcium, and proteins to support rapid growth. In 2024, the U.K. and France saw a 13.2% increase in sales of follow-on formulas, as more mothers returned to work after six months. These formulas often come with enhanced prebiotics and flavor-adjusted compositions to transition from breast milk.
12–36 Months Baby (Third Class): Formulas targeted at toddlers aged 12–36 months hold around 20% of the market and are often marketed as nutritional supplements. These are rich in vitamin D, calcium, and sometimes include probiotics. China leads in consumption of toddler formula, with over 60% of children in this age group consuming fortified milk powders. In 2024, brands like Yili and Feihe launched toddler-specific SKUs tailored to local dietary gaps.

Infant Milk Powder Market Regional Outlook

The global infant milk powder market shows distinct regional trends driven by birth rates, regulatory environments, income levels, and cultural attitudes toward formula feeding. While Asia-Pacific dominates global volume share, North America and Europe continue to lead in premiumization and medical-grade formulations.

North America

accounted for nearly 12% of the global infant milk powder consumption by volume. The United States remains the largest national market, with over 3.8 million infants aged 0–36 months, and about 67% of formula-fed infants receiving cow’s milk-based products. Soy-based formulas are more popular in this region, representing 18% of formula usage due to higher allergy detection rates. The market saw a sharp impact in 2022–2023 due to a nationwide shortage caused by production halts at a major Abbott facility, reducing product availability by 31%.

Europe

holds around 24% of global infant milk powder volume in 2024, with countries like Germany, the U.K., and France leading in demand. The region emphasizes organic and non-GMO formulations, accounting for 46% of global organic formula sales. Germany’s HiPP and France’s Biostime dominate the European market. In 2023, 78% of new product launches in Europe featured claims like ""organic,"" ""non-GMO,"" or ""free from palm oil."" Regulatory standards are stringent, with all infant formula products conforming to EFSA nutritional composition requirements.

Asia-Pacific

is the largest and fastest-growing region, contributing over 68.7% of total global consumption in 2024. China dominates this market, with over 15 million infants under three and heavy reliance on formula feeding due to low breastfeeding rates in urban regions. In 2023, 65% of Chinese infants under six months used infant milk powder daily. Premium and toddler formulas are particularly strong in this region. Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea also contribute significantly to both production and export.

Middle East & Africa

accounted for roughly 5.3% of the global infant milk powder volume in 2024. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE—represent major demand hubs due to high disposable income and growing expatriate populations. In 2023, infant formula sales in Saudi Arabia crossed 25,000 metric tons, with a preference for premium and specialty formulas. Africa’s market remains underdeveloped but is growing steadily, with Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa leading demand.

List of Top Infant Milk Powder Companies

Mead Johnson
Nestle
Danone (Sutton Group)
Abbott
FrieslandCampinaHeinz
Bellamy
Topfer
HiPP
Perrigo
Arla
Holle
Fonterra
Westland Dairy
Pinnacle
Meiji
Yili
Biostime
Yashili
Feihe
Brightdairy
Beingmate
Wonderson
Synutra
Wissun

Nestlé: holds the largest global market share in the infant milk powder sector, with over 22% of global volume attributed to its brands like NAN, S-26, and Lactogen in 2024. Nestlé’s presence is especially strong in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and parts of Europe. Its manufacturing footprint spans more than 90 countries, and it produces more than 1 million tons of infant formula annually.

Feihe: is the leading infant milk powder company in Asia, capturing over 18% of the domestic Chinese market in 2024. The company sold approximately 125,000 tons of formula powder in 2023 and expanded its international footprint through exports and acquisitions. Feihe’s flagship products include “Astrobaby” and “Super α-Golden Stage,” with strong branding in premium and Stage 3 toddler segments.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The infant milk powder market has witnessed significant investment activity across production expansion, digital distribution, medical nutrition, and innovation in ingredients. In 2024, over USD 1.8 billion worth of capital was deployed globally into infant nutrition ventures, manufacturing plants, and R&D programs. Multinational corporations such as Nestlé, Danone, and Abbott have continued to invest in upgrading manufacturing facilities with automation and AI-enabled quality control. Nestlé announced a CHF 100 million investment in its Konolfingen plant in Switzerland in 2023 to enhance infant formula production capacity for Europe and Asia. Similarly, Abbott committed over USD 500 million to constructing a new powder formula facility in Ohio, United States, slated to open in 2026. Asia-Pacific is receiving the bulk of manufacturing investments. Feihe launched a USD 400 million intelligent production base in Jilin province, China, with a processing capacity of 60,000 tons per year. Meiji in Japan allocated JPY 30 billion to scale its powdered milk operations, focusing on formulas enriched with probiotics and lactoferrin. Digital transformation also presents investment opportunities. In 2023, over 31% of global infant formula sales occurred online, driving venture capital into infant nutrition tech platforms. Chinese e-commerce brands, such as Junlebao and Biostime, have scaled operations via Alibaba and JD.com partnerships.

Meanwhile, in North America, emerging direct-to-consumer brands like Bobbie and ByHeart received over USD 150 million in combined funding to develop proprietary formulations and expand subscription models. Functional nutrition is a fast-growing investment niche. Venture-backed biotech firms are exploring alternatives to bovine-based formulations using precision fermentation. Startups such as Biomilq and Helaina are developing lab-cultured human milk components—offering potential long-term disruption in the traditional powdered formula space. By early 2024, at least six companies had announced funding rounds over USD 20 million to produce lactoferrin, HMOs (Human Milk Oligosaccharides), and bioidentical caseins for infant nutrition applications. There is also increasing investment in sustainability and packaging. Danone, for instance, converted 80% of its infant formula containers in Europe to recyclable steel by 2024. FrieslandCampina is working on a carbon-neutral production facility in the Netherlands to meet emission reduction targets by 2030. Governments in Africa and Southeast Asia have also begun co-investing in local manufacturing to reduce import dependency. In 2023, Vietnam approved VND 2.4 trillion in public-private partnerships to build two domestic infant formula factories by 2026. These investment flows reflect strong confidence in both traditional and novel approaches to infant nutrition, emphasizing innovation, localization, and digital accessibility.

New Product Development

The infant milk powder market has experienced a surge in new product development (NPD), driven by consumer demand for functional nutrition, organic certification, digestive health, and medical-grade formulations. In 2023–2024, more than 1,200 new infant formula products were launched globally, with over 38% featuring unique ingredient innovations or targeted health claims. A major trend in NPD is the development of human milk mimic formulas. Companies like Danone, Abbott, and Meiji have launched products containing synthesized Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs). These components, now present in over 21% of new infant formula SKUs, are known to support gut health and immunity. Abbott’s Similac Pro-Advance, for example, features 2’-FL HMO and now commands strong market share in both the U.S. and Latin America. Probiotic and prebiotic fortification is another key area. In 2023, over 33% of new launches included gut health enhancers such as Bifidobacterium lactis or galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS). HiPP and Holle introduced organic formulas enriched with dual-strain probiotics to promote microbiome development in infants, particularly in the EU and Australian markets.

Manufacturers are also responding to growing concerns over allergens and intolerances. New hydrolyzed protein and amino acid-based formulas have entered the market for infants suffering from CMPA (Cow's Milk Protein Allergy). In 2024, Nestlé introduced ""Althera Amino,"" a hypoallergenic product designed for infants with severe allergies, already in circulation across 12 countries. Regional customization of formulations has increased. For example, Yili and Feihe have released region-specific toddler formulas tailored to northern and southern Chinese infants, accounting for differences in dietary patterns and lactose tolerance. In India, companies like Amul and Nutricia introduced low-lactose powders suitable for vegetarian families, while Middle Eastern brands now fortify their products with iron and vitamin D due to regional deficiencies. The organic segment has seen rapid innovation. In 2024, more than 26% of new infant milk powder launches were certified organic, up from 17% in 2021. Bellamy's Australia and Holle lead this space, with products developed using organic milk, non-GMO ingredients, and sustainable farming practices. Lastly, packaging innovation plays a critical role. New single-serve sachets, eco-friendly containers, and smart packaging (QR-coded cans for tracking ingredients and usage) have emerged. FrieslandCampina’s “Friso Prestige” line now includes airtight dual-compartment lids that help preserve formula quality for longer. Together, these innovations demonstrate a strong pivot toward science-backed, health-focused, and personalized infant nutrition.

Five Recent Developments

Nestlé Expanded HMO-Enhanced Formula Globally (2023): launched its HMO-enhanced NAN Supreme Pro line in over 45 new markets, including India, Brazil, and Turkey. The formula contains five human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), making it one of the most advanced biomimetic products available. This expansion contributed to a 14% YoY increase in global HMO formula sales.
Feihe Opened Intelligent Production Facility in China (2023): launched a smart manufacturing plant in Harbin, covering 280,000 square meters with a production capacity of 60,000 tons annually. The facility integrates AI, robotics, and IoT for traceability and automation. This is Feihe’s largest single-site investment and enhances its position as the top domestic formula brand in China.
Danone Introduced Plant-Based Infant Formula (2024): In response to rising vegan and allergy-conscious consumer demands, Danone launched a plant-based formula under its Alpro brand. The product, initially introduced in select European countries, uses hydrolyzed rice protein and complies with EU infant nutrition regulations. Early data showed 8% market uptake within six months of launch in Germany and Sweden.
Abbott Reopened U.S. Formula Plant After FDA Reapproval (2023): Following a 2022 shutdown due to contamination concerns, Abbott received FDA clearance to reopen its Sturgis, Michigan plant in 2023. This reactivation restored 25% of domestic production capacity, addressing critical shortages. The company also launched updated safety protocols and a new “ready-to-feed” formula variant.
HiPP Rolled Out Smart Packaging in Europe (2024): introduced smart QR-coded cans across Germany and France in 2024. These allow parents to access batch-specific information, expiration alerts, and feeding guides via mobile apps. Within three months, over 620,000 scans were recorded, reflecting strong engagement and trust in digital transparency.

Report Coverage of Infant Milk Powder Market

The report on the infant milk powder market offers a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of the industry landscape across all key geographies, product types, and end-user segments. It encompasses the supply-demand dynamics, regulatory considerations, technological advancements, consumer behavior patterns, and competitive structure governing the global infant nutrition sector. The study examines market performance from 2020 through 2024 and includes forecasts up to 2030, focusing strictly on unit volumes, product penetration, and adoption rates—excluding revenue or CAGR metrics. The scope of the report includes segmentation by type—namely cow’s milk-based formula, soy-based formula, protein hydrolysate formula, and specialty formula. These categories are further analyzed based on their volume share, growth in usage, and nutritional composition relevance. In 2024, cow’s milk-based formulas dominated with over 68% volume contribution, while hydrolysate and specialty formulas collectively accounted for 15% of total usage due to rising incidences of food allergies and premature births. By application, the report dissects the demand pattern across three age groups: 0–6 months, 6–12 months, and 12–36 months. The 0–6 month (Stage 1) segment leads the market with over 46% of global powder consumption.

Stage 2 (6–12 months) and Stage 3 (12–36 months) products are witnessing increased preference in Asia-Pacific due to rising toddler nutrition awareness and pediatric endorsements. The regional analysis provides detailed insights into key markets: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. Asia-Pacific holds the dominant share with over 68.7% of global infant milk powder consumption in 2024. China, India, Japan, and Indonesia are highlighted for their strong consumer base and government policies influencing product formulation and import standards. North America’s market, shaped heavily by regulatory interventions and high allergy incidence, accounts for about 12% of global demand, while Europe remains a leader in organic and clean-label innovation. The report also includes a focused company landscape profiling 25 major infant milk powder manufacturers, including Nestlé, Feihe, Danone, Abbott, HiPP, Holle, and Yili. Strategic initiatives such as product launches, facility expansions, digital transformation, and ingredient innovation are explored, highlighting market leadership trends and product differentiation. In addition, the report covers critical themes such as sustainability in packaging, the rise of e-commerce (now over 31% of sales globally), and government breastfeeding initiatives affecting sales trajectories. Together, these dimensions provide a holistic and granular understanding of the global infant milk powder market ecosystem, equipping stakeholders with actionable intelligence.