Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO) Market

Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO) Market Outlook from 2024 to 2034

The global human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) market is estimated to reach USD 100.8 million in 2024. Over the forecast period, human milk oligosaccharide sales are poised to increase at a CAGR of 6.5%. The global industry is estimated to reach a value of USD 161.6 million by 2034.

Attributes	Key Insights
Estimated Global Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO) Market Size (2024E)	USD 100.8 million
Projected Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO) Market Value (2034F)	USD 161.6 million
Value-based CAGR (2024 to 2034)	6.5%

Global Market Highlights

• Rising consumer awareness of the value of gut health and increasing demand for dietary supplements are driving the human milk oligosaccharide market growth.
• Thanks to their antimicrobial and prebiotic properties, HMOs are frequently used in infant formulae, pharmaceuticals, and functional foods.
• Growth in population, mortality rate, and health-conscious consumers is expected to increase the HMO industry in the future.
• Rising prevalence of chronic ailments like gut diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure, and rickets drives demand for functional food and beverages, thereby boosting the human milk oligosaccharide market.
• Infant formula and baby food industries are expected to experience significant growth due to rising demand, surging HMO production, and regulatory approval.
• Continuous research has resulted in the discovery of new health benefits for specific structures of HMO. This is likely to increase potential applications of HMOs beyond infant nutrition, further boosting the market.

2019 to 2023 Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO) Market Growth Outlook

During the historical period, the global sales of human milk oligosaccharide increased steadily, driven by increasing awareness of their health benefits, particularly in infant nutrition. This period observed research and development of alternative methods to extract HMOs from human breast milk, such as microbial fermentation and enzymatic synthesis. These dynamics made it feasible to produce HMOs at scale.

Growing interest in HMOs attracted many investments from established firms and start-ups offering infant nutrition solutions. Additionally, the rising partnerships between companies, research institutions, and universities are facilitating research and product development.

Increased awareness of breastfeeding and human milk components has boosted consumer interest in HMO-containing products. Education initiatives, marketing campaigns, and healthcare professional endorsements are promoting acceptance.

Sales of human milk oligosaccharides are forecasted to expand at a CAGR of 6.5% by 2034. The market is projected to increase in size, thanks to various factors like growing research studies to uncover new health benefits of HMOs.

Extending use of infant nutrition into areas like dietary supplements, and increasing preference given to natural and bioactive ingredients, are likely to drive product demand.

The growth is expected to be fueled by regulatory support and improvements in production technology during the forecast period. Hence, manufacturers are expected to increasingly invest in production capacity expansion, research & development, and marketing efforts. These strategies are likely to enable them to meet the growing demand and exploit the opportunities presented by the expanding HMO market under study.

Semi-annual Market Update

Market Statistics	Details
Jul to Dec (H2), 2022 (A)	6.8%
Jan to Jun (H1), 2022 (A)	6.2%
Jan to Jun (H1), 2023 Projected (P)	7.3%
Jan to Jun (H1), 2023 Outlook (O)	6.9%
Jan to Jun (H1), 2024 Projected (P)	10.0%
Jul to Dec (H2), 2023 Outlook (O)	9.1%
Jul to Dec (H2), 2023 Projected (P)	8.8%

Key Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO) Market Trends

• Increasing demand for HMOs in infant nutrition due to their role in mimicking the benefits of breast milk
• Expansion of research into novel HMO structures and their potential health benefits
• Rising interest in HMO supplementation for preterm infants to support gut health and immune function
• Growing partnerships between HMO suppliers and infant formula manufacturers to enhance product offerings
• Development of HMO-based functional foods for adults targeting gut health and immune support
• Increasing investment in HMO production technologies to meet growing demand
• Regulatory advancements to establish standards and guidelines for HMO supplementation in infant formula
• Emergence of personalized nutrition solutions incorporating HMOs based on individual health needs and microbiome profiles

Restraining Factors in Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO) Market

• The complex and costly production of HMOs, especially through chemical or enzymatic methods, is set to hinder widespread adoption, particularly in cost-sensitive markets or regions with limited resources.
• Regulatory approval of novel food ingredients is usually lengthy and complex for any new food additive, including HMOs. This could prolong product development or create uncertainties about the prospects of market entry.
• HMOs, naturally found in human milk, are hard to procure from any other source due to scalability and yield optimization issues, which may hinder the growth of this market or the availability of more HMO-fortified products.

Country-wise Insights

The table below shows the estimated growth rates of the leading countries. The United Kingdom, China, and Germany are set to record high CAGRs of 6.2%, 5.5%, and 5.9%, respectively, through 2034.

Countries	CAGR
United States	4.5%
United Kingdom	6.2%
Germany	5.9%
China	5.5%
Japan	4.8%

Research and Development Activities in the United States Upscaling the Market

The United States is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 4.5% through 2034. Key factors supporting the market growth are:

The United States has a developed infrastructure for research and development, resulting in innovation in infant nutrition, which is driving market growth. The baby formula market in the United States is on the rise due to increasing awareness about breastfeeding and early nutrition benefits. It is largely driven by parents demanding products that resemble human breast milk.

Many corporate houses and several academic institutions across the country are involved with HMO-related research and development projects. These projects concentrate on enhancing production techniques, investigating novel uses, and comprehending the health advantages of HMOs in newborn nutrition.

Increasing Government Initiatives to Surge Sales in China

During the forecast period, China is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.5%. HMO-infused premium baby nutrition products are expected to be driven by factors like rising disposable income and urbanization in China.

Increasing initiatives by the government of China to promote breastfeeding and regulate infant formula standards are encouraging the use of HMO in infant formula. Further, Chinese players are into fostering collaborations between academic institutions, research facilities, and industry players to increase their stake.

Increasing Digestive Disorders Among Japanese Consumers Propel Product Demand

The demand for human milk oligosaccharides in Japan is anticipated to steadily increase at a CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period. The rising incidences of digestive disorders and food sensitivities among infants are pushing the sales of HMOs in Japan.

Additionally, consumer knowledge of HMOs is increasing due to rising marketing campaigns, educational initiatives, and healthcare industry endorsements. This is boosting the product’s acceptance among parents and caregivers. This is projected to accelerate product sales in the nation.

Category-wise Insights

The section below shows the fucosylated segment dominating by product type. The segment is predicted to reach USD 42.9 million in 2034. Based on end-use, the infant formula segment is anticipated to generate a dominant share through 2024. It is set to reach USD 99.2 million by 2024.

Segment	Infant Formula (End-use)
Market Value (2024)	USD 99.2 million

Demand for Human Milk Oligosaccharides to Remain High in Infant Formula

Infant formula mimics breast milk's composition to provide effective nutrients to non-breastfed infants. By virtue of their role in gut health, immune function, and development, HMOs found in breast milk are crucial to be included in infant formulations for similar benefits. The use of HMOs in infant formulations is increasing due to strict regulatory standards, making HMOs a popular choice for infant health supplements.

Fucosylated HMOs Segment Tops the Product Type Category

Segment	Fucosylated (Product Type)
Market Value (2034)	USD 42.9 million

Fucosylated HMOs, like 2'-fucosyllactose and 3-fucosyllactose, are gaining traction as they are crucial for infant gut health. These also help in promoting beneficial bacteria growth and inhibiting pathogen adhesion.

Since they are the closest to human breast milk in mimicking their health benefits, manufacturers take an interest in fucosylated HMOs. They are projected to contribute to the development of a healthy gut microbiome essential for immune function and nutrient absorption.

Competitive Landscape

The human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) market remains extremely dynamic and highly competitive. In line with this, key companies in the industry participate in research & development, new formulation, and sustainable sourcing to further capture markets.

Key players are focusing on obtaining product certifications, following environmentally friendly practices, and meeting the increased demand for natural ingredients and sustainability.

For instance

• In 2021, BASF announced that the Australian TGA had approved the 2’-FL brand of PREBILAC. This approval establishes PREBILAC as the initial and exclusive 2’-FL ingredient to receive recognition from TGA as a prebiotic ingredient.
• In 2022, Kyowa Hakko Bio Co. Ltd, a subsidiary of Kirin Holdings Company Limited, finalized the construction of a manufacturing facility. It is dedicated to the production of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) at its Thai subsidiary, Thai Kyowa Biotechnologies Co, Ltd.

Key Companies Profiled

• Jennewein Biotechnologie GmbH
• KYOWA HAKKO BIO CO. LTD.
• DSM
• Nestle Health Science
• DUPONT
• zuChem Inc.
• Glycosyn LLC
• Elicityl SA
• Dextra Laboratories Limited
• Carbosynth Limited

Key Coverage in the Global Human Milk Oligosaccharide Industry Research Report

• Adjacent Study on Human Milk Oligosaccharides Benefits and Nutritional Products Human Milk Oligosaccharides
• Detailed Market Analysis of Human Milk Oligosaccharides Supplement
• Ongoing Innovations in Human Milk Oligosaccharides Formula
• Growth Prospects for Baby Food Market in the United States
• Top Players in Baby Food and Infant Formula Market
• Human Milk Oligosaccharides and Immune System Development

Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO) Market Segmentation by Category

By Product Type:

• Fucosylated
  • 2FL
  • 2FL DFL
  • 3FL
• Silylated
  • 3SL
  • 6SL
• Non-fucosylated Neutral
  • LNT
  • LNnT
  • LNFP

By End-use:

• Infant Formula
• Dietary Supplements

By Region:

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• South Asia
• East Asia
• Middle East and Africa
• Oceania

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is the human milk oligosaccharide market?

The market is set to reach USD 100.8 million in 2024.

What is the forecast for the human milk oligosaccharide market?

Demand for human milk oligosaccharide is slated to expand at a 6.5% CAGR by 2034.

What is the outlook for the human milk oligosaccharide market?

The market is set to reach USD 161.6 million in 2034.

Who are the key players in the human milk oligosaccharide market?

KYOWA HAKKO BIO CO. LTD., DSM, and Nestle Health Science are the key players.

Which product type would lead the human milk oligosaccharide market?

Fucosylated segment is estimated to hold a significant market share in 2024.

Which region is expected to hold the leading market share by 2034?

Asia Pacific is expected to hold a market share of 39.2% by 2034.