Lactulose Market Size, Share | Industry Forecast, 2033

Lactulose Market Overview

Global Lactulose market size, valued at USD 188.14 million in 2024, is expected to climb to USD 259.45 million by 2033 at a CAGR of 3.6%.

The lactulose market is primarily driven by the increasing demand for effective therapeutic agents in managing chronic constipation and hepatic encephalopathy. Lactulose is a synthetic, non-digestible sugar formed from galactose and fructose, predominantly used as an osmotic laxative. In 2024, global production of lactulose surpassed 9,800 metric tons, with pharmaceutical applications accounting for more than 85% of this volume. The demand for lactulose-based formulations is particularly high in regions with aging populations, where gastrointestinal and hepatic disorders are more prevalent.

North America and Europe dominate production and consumption, with Europe producing over 4,000 metric tons annually. More than 70% of lactulose syrups are manufactured in GMP-certified facilities across Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Increasing attention toward gut health and prebiotics is creating new demand in functional foods, where lactulose is used in over 190 registered products globally. As of 2024, more than 120 clinical studies were focused on lactulose’s microbiome-enhancing properties, positioning it as a critical component in next-generation gut health solutions.

Key Findings

Top Driver reason: Growing prevalence of hepatic encephalopathy and age-related constipation disorders.

Top Country/Region: Europe accounted for approximately 38% of global lactulose consumption in 2024.

Top Segment: Pharmaceuticals remained the leading segment, contributing nearly 88% to total market volume.

Lactulose Market Trends

Lactulose market trends reflect a shift toward prebiotic formulations and microbiota-enhancing therapies. In 2024, more than 240 tons of lactulose were used in the food and beverage sector, including infant formula, probiotic yogurts, and elderly nutrition products. This marked a 16% increase compared to 2023, driven largely by consumer interest in digestive health. Asia-Pacific led this growth, with China and Japan together accounting for over 110 tons of food-grade lactulose consumption.

Liquid lactulose continues to dominate due to ease of administration. In 2024, liquid lactulose held a 62% share in terms of volume. Pediatric applications saw a 12% rise in demand across India, Brazil, and the U.S. due to favorable safety profiles and improved syrup formulations. Innovations such as low-sugar lactulose syrups have entered markets in North America and Europe, catering to diabetic and elderly patients. As of 2024, 48 new lactulose-based products were introduced globally, including sachets, drops, and flavor-enhanced syrups.

Technological adoption also surged, with over 40% of lactulose manufacturers implementing IoT-enabled monitoring systems. These ensure product stability across transit and storage, especially for temperature-sensitive liquid forms. Additionally, lactose-free lactulose production gained traction, with non-dairy fermentation techniques accounting for 12% of global output in 2024.

Lactulose Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising demand for pharmaceuticals.

In 2024, global pharmaceutical prescriptions of lactulose exceeded 42 million units, primarily for hepatic encephalopathy and chronic constipation. As the global elderly population reached over 770 million in 2024, chronic digestive issues drove consistent demand. Over 120 countries include lactulose on their essential medicines list, and hospitals in Germany, Japan, and the U.S. recorded an average 9% year-on-year increase in demand. Pediatric use also expanded due to lactulose’s gentle action and safety, with over 5 million pediatric patients receiving prescriptions in 2024 alone.

RESTRAINT

Limited raw material sources.

Lactulose production depends heavily on lactose sourced from whey, a byproduct of dairy processing. In 2024, 88% of lactulose manufacturers reported reliance on dairy-derived lactose, making production sensitive to milk output fluctuations. Environmental stress reduced milk production by 4% in Europe, leading to supply shortages in Q2 2024. Only 6% of global lactulose was produced via non-dairy fermentation methods, limiting scalability and raw material independence. The market lacks widespread access to lactose alternatives, impeding diversification.

OPPORTUNITY

Growth in personalized medicines.

Lactulose is increasingly recognized for its potential in microbiota-targeted therapies. Over 30 clinical and commercial programs globally are incorporating lactulose into personalized nutrition or microbiome-balancing treatments. In 2024, Japan and Germany piloted hospital-based programs for tailored lactulose therapies, enrolling more than 6,500 patients. Personalized gut health supplements, incorporating lactulose as a core ingredient, increased by 11% in North America. Biotech companies are now exploring combination products blending lactulose with targeted probiotics, prebiotics, or fibers.

CHALLENGE

Rising costs and expenditures.

Production and compliance costs associated with lactulose are rising steadily. In 2024, global expenditure on facility upgrades, quality compliance, and logistics surpassed $180 million. GMP regulations across North America and the EU require high-precision environments for both crystalline and liquid forms. Transporting liquid lactulose remains costly due to volume and thermal sensitivity, leading to an 8% rise in freight costs over the year. These cost factors hinder entry of small-scale producers, causing over 50% of global production to remain concentrated in four major countries.

Lactulose Market Segmentation

The lactulose market is segmented by type into crystalline and liquid forms, and by application into pharmaceuticals, food ingredients, and others. Each segment varies in stability, storage, and application profile.

By Type

Crystalline Lactulose: Crystalline lactulose accounted for 38% of total consumption in 2024. It is used primarily in solid dosage formulations and for dry blends in nutritional powders. With a shelf life exceeding 30 months, it is favored in regions lacking cold storage infrastructure. Western Europe and North America collectively consumed over 3,100 metric tons of crystalline lactulose.
Liquid Lactulose: Liquid lactulose remains dominant with 62% of the global volume in 2024. It is widely used in pediatric, geriatric, and clinical applications due to easy ingestion. Asia-Pacific and North America are major consumers, with Japan alone using 850 metric tons of liquid lactulose in 2024. The form supports flavor customization, with over 45 unique syrup flavors available worldwide.

By Application

Pharmaceuticals: Pharmaceuticals are the main application, accounting for 88% of total volume in 2024. Over 42 million prescriptions were written globally. Hepatic and chronic constipation management are core drivers, especially in the elderly.
Food Ingredient: Functional foods containing lactulose grew by 14% in 2024. Lactulose is now present in more than 190 registered nutritional products, including fortified dairy beverages and dietary supplements.
Others: Veterinary and industrial uses contributed 4% of total demand. Veterinary formulations grew by 6% in 2024, primarily in canine hepatic therapy. Other uses include clinical research and microbiome modulation studies.

Lactulose Market Regional Outlook

In 2024, the lactulose market remained geographically concentrated across Europe and North America, while Asia-Pacific exhibited the highest growth rate due to increased product adoption in both food and pharma sectors.

North America

The region accounted for 28% of global consumption in 2024. The U.S. led with over 16 million prescriptions and substantial uptake in both pediatric and elderly healthcare segments. Canada imported over 180 metric tons of lactulose, mainly in flavored syrup formats.

Europe

Europe was the leading market, consuming 38% of global lactulose. Germany, France, and the Netherlands produced over 3,900 metric tons in 2024. Regulatory alignment with EMA ensured widespread clinical usage. Investments exceeding €65 million were made in manufacturing enhancements across the region.

Asia-Pacific

Rapid market growth was observed, particularly in India, China, and Japan. India produced over 750 metric tons of lactulose, exporting to 42 countries. Japan integrated lactulose into over 20 new functional food items in 2024. China reported a 17% increase in lactulose imports, mainly for pharmaceutical use.

Middle East & Africa

MEA regions reported 12% annual growth in 2024. The UAE and Saudi Arabia adopted lactulose-based formulations into national healthcare lists. South Africa processed over 140 tons of imported lactulose for domestic distribution, while Egypt initiated local packaging facilities.

List of Top Lactulose Market Companies

Abbott
Morinaga
Solactis
Fresenius Kabi
Illovo
Biofac
Dandong Kangfu

Top Two Companies with Highest Share

Abbott: Held over 22% of global market share in 2024 with annual production surpassing 1,800 metric tons.

Fresenius Kabi: Accounted for nearly 19% of supply, exporting to over 60 countries through its EU-based facilities.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

In 2023–2024, more than $320 million was invested in the lactulose market across infrastructure, R&D, and product development. Europe received over $110 million for GMP-certified production upgrades. India and China received $90 million in combined foreign and domestic investment to enhance bulk lactulose manufacturing. U.S.-based biotech companies raised $45 million for prebiotic formulations involving lactulose.

High demand for personalized medicine and microbiome therapies presents opportunities for expansion. Over 30 global programs explored personalized lactulose therapies in 2024. Sachet-based portable formats are gaining favor in Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa due to their convenience and low cost. Food manufacturers are integrating lactulose into fortified beverages, probiotic yogurts, and diabetic-friendly supplements.

Investment in lactose-free lactulose variants is also rising. As of 2024, 12% of total production used non-dairy inputs. Strategic partnerships among raw material suppliers, healthcare institutions, and biotech companies continue to generate new applications and revenue streams.

New Product Development

Between 2023 and 2024, over 30 new lactulose-based products were launched worldwide. In Japan, green tea-flavored lactulose syrups were introduced in late 2023 for children and seniors. Germany released sugar-reduced formulations with 48% less glucose content. The U.S. piloted dual-action syrups combining lactulose and electrolyte solutions across 22 hospitals.

India launched 5ml single-dose sachets for rural and institutional use. In Europe, dry powder inhalers incorporating lactulose are undergoing phase II trials to improve targeted colonic drug delivery. Veterinary-grade lactulose chews were introduced in 2024 in Brazil and Australia for canine liver health.

The innovation wave spans liquid, crystalline, and compounded dosage forms, demonstrating robust pipeline activity across all regions.

Five Recent Developments

Fresenius Kabi: expanded its Austria facility by 25%, reaching 1,200 metric tons annual capacity.
Abbott: launched sugar-reduced lactulose in North America with a new mango-flavored variant.
Morinaga: collaborated with Japanese researchers to explore lactulose’s cognitive health potential.
Dandong Kangfu: added two GMP-compliant lines, boosting capacity by 16%.
Biofac: released veterinary lactulose sachets in 14 new export markets in Q2 2024.

Report Coverage of Lactulose Market

The lactulose market report offers full coverage of global trends, production volumes, competitive landscape, application segmentation, and regional analysis. It evaluates consumption across 35 countries, dissects volume share by form (crystalline vs. liquid), and application sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food, and veterinary.

Included are more than 150 charts and tables presenting production data, export/import flow, regulatory updates, and technological innovations. The report highlights over 48 product developments from 2023 to 2024, covering flavored formulations, sachet packaging, and lactose-free alternatives. Infrastructure details such as facility locations, output capacity, and compliance status are also documented.

It analyzes the supply chain, cost structure, and transportation logistics, identifying opportunities for new entrants and expansion strategies. Detailed profiles of top companies—including their capacities, regional presence, and product portfolios—provide actionable intelligence. The report helps stakeholders plan strategic investments, partnerships, and innovations aligned with evolving patient demographics and healthcare needs.