Cow Milk Infant Formula Market Size, Share, By Type, Process Type, Application, Distribution Channel, and Region - Trends, Analysis and Forecast till 2035

• Cow milk infant formula market size is expected to grow at USD 73.6 billion by 2035.
• The target market was value at USD 51.3 billion in 2024.
• Target market is expanding at a CAGR of 4%.

Cow milk infant formula is a nutritional products made from cow’s milk. Target market is driven by various advantages it offers to babies, increasing use of bottle-feeding, convenience for mothers who are not able to produce milk through natural process, they have high nutritional content, and it is priced reasonably. In addition, rise in infant food sector, increase in the consciousness regarding the health of the infants, rise in the population of working women giving birth while having a hectic lifestyle are another factors propelling growth of the global market. Furthermore, technological advancements which increases the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of production is also anticipated to create opportunities for growth of the global market over the forecast period.

Key Takeaways:

• Asia Pacific held the largest share of the market in 2024 due to large population, and increasing awareness of infant nutrition. 
• North America is projected to be the fastest-growing market in the coming years. This is due to improving healthcare infrastructure, and increasing per capita income.

Key Drivers of Target Market:

Rising Number of Mothers who can’t Breastfeed can Expand Target Market Growth

For moms who cannot breastfeed due to several factors, such as taking oral contraceptive pills, smoking cigarettes, medical conditions, or who decide not to feed. Cow milk infant formula is a healthy alternative. Cow milk infant formula are specially designed to simulate the nutritional composition of breast milk.

• For instance, in February 2022, according to the National Library of Medicine, insufficient milk supply is a prevalent concern in 60–90% of women in low- and middle-income countries.
• For instance, according to the data published by National Library of Medicine, About 38% of women did not initiate breastfeeding. A greater proportion of the women who did not initiate breastfeeding as compared with those who initiated breastfeeding were Black, not married, had one or more children, and were earning less than $18,001 annually.

Numerous Benefits of Cow Milk Infant Formula to Babies can Drive Market Expansion

Demand for cow milk infant formula is rising as it is easy to digest baby formula and is a great source of vitamins, minerals, and fats that babies need. For most healthy full-term babies who are having infant formula, cow milk-based formulas are recommended until 12 months of age.

• For Instance, according to the data published by Raising Children Network (Australia) Limited in January 2024, all cow’s milk based baby formulas are safe and have all the nutrients babies need for healthy growth and development.

Restrains:

Side Effects of Cow Milk Infant Formula can Hamper the Growth of the Market

The targeted market can be hampered by side effects of cow milk formula such as rash and digestive issues, anaphylaxis, hives, vomiting, and among others. Premature babies may also develop a serious condition called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) when drinking cow’s milk baby formulas, such as Enfamil or Similac. Additionally, a type of bacteria called Cronobacter sakazakii may contaminate baby formula. This can happen during manufacturing, home preparation or during feeding from unsanitary bottles.

• For instance, in August 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued warning letters to three infant formula manufacturers. These actions are the FDA’s ongoing effort to strengthen the safety and resiliency of the infant formula supply in the U.S. In November 2022, the agency released an outline of a prevention strategy to prevent Cronobacter sakazakii illnesses associated with consumption of powdered infant formula. 
• For instance, according to the data published by National Library of Medicine, between 5% and 15% of infants show symptoms suggesting adverse reactions to cow's milk protein.
• Counterbalance Statements: One of the major solutions to this problem is hypoallergenic formula that’s designed to treat a cow’ milk allergy, extensively hydrolyzed formula (eHF), amino acid formula, rice hydrolyzed formula (rHF), and others.

Opportunities & Market Trends:

New Innovations and Technological Advancements to Create Significant Opportunities in Upcoming Years

The cow milk infant formula sector has undergone a radical transformation in recent years due to new innovations and technological advancements. It enhance functionality and efficiency. Advancements in protein technologies, bioactive LC-PUFA, prebiotics, and probiotics have allowed cow milk infant formula composition and functionality, to resemble more closely to human milk.

The market is segmented based on type, process type, application, distribution channel, and region. 

Type

On the basis of type, the cow milk infant formula market is segmented into powdered, liquid, concentrated, and others. Powdered milk formula dominate the target market growth due to its convenience, better shelf life, and among others.

Process Type

The cow milk infant formula market by process type is segmented into wet process type, dry process type, and wet-dry method composite type. The wet process type holds the largest share of the market due to its convenience and time saving process. 

Application

The cow milk infant formula market by application is segmented into infant formula, follow-on formula, and growing-up formula. The infant formula segment is expected to dominate the target market growth as it contains high nutrition.

• For Instance, in September 2024, Danone introduced its growing up milk for children born via caesarean section (C-section) into more South East Asia countries, with the latest launch happening in Malaysia.

Distribution Channel

On the basis of distribution channel, the cow milk infant formula market is segmented into supermarkets/hypermarkets, convenience stores, online retailers, and others. The supermarkets/Hypermarkets segment dominate the target market growth due to wide range of products, ability to scan product details, and others.

Regional

Geographically, the market is studied across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

Asia Pacific: Asia Pacific region is expected to dominate the growth of the market during forecast period due to large population, increasing disposable incomes, rapid urbanization, government support, and others.

North America: North America is considered to be the fastest growing region in the target market due to improving healthcare infrastructure, increasing per capita income, growing awareness of the benefits of infant formula feeding, among others.

For Instance, in July 2022, Danone New Zealand & Australia-based Bellamy’s Organic are the latest to receive the US FDA’s approval to supply infant formula to the country amid its shortage crisis. Danone will also be supplying specialized medical formulas Neocate Junior & Neocate Infant DHA/ARA with severe cow’s milk from Europe to the US.

Cow Milk Infant Formula Market Report Scope:

Segmentation:

By Type:

• Powdered
• Liquid
• Concentrated
• Others

By Process Type:

• Wet Process type
• Dry Process type
• Wet-Dry Method Composite Type

By Application:

• Infant Formula
• Follow-On Formula
• Growing-Up Formula

By Distribution Channel:

• Supermarket/Hypermarkets
• Convenience Stores
• Online Retailers
• Others

By Region:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • U.K.
  • France
  • Russia
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Netherlands
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • Israel
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa

The key players operating in the cow milk infant formula market include Danone, MEAD JOHNSON & COMPANY, LLC, FrieslandCampina, Bellamy’s Organic, Abbott, among others. These key players are focusing on different organic and inorganic strategies, such as acquisitions, mergers, partnership, agreement, product launches, and approvas to expand their product portfolio and strengthen their market presence globally.

List of Key Players in the Market:

• Danone
• MEAD JOHNSON & COMPANY, LLC
• FrieslandCampina
• Bellamy’s Organic
• Abbott
• The Kraft Heinz Company
• HiPP.
• PERRIGO
• Arla Foods amba
• Topfer GmbH
• Yashili New Zealand
• Beingmate
• DANA DAIRY GROUP
• FRISO SINGAPORE

• In August 2024, Abbott announced the expansion of its Pure Bliss by Similac line of organic, and European-made infant formulas that give parents a variety of products to meet specific formula preferences which are made from fresh milk of cows.
• In September 2023, Lowenzahn Organics launched their range of baby milk products from whole cow’s milk, which offers an alternative to conventionally used skimmed milk. This organic baby formulas is designed specifically for the needs of your baby, developed in accordance with the latest nutritional science and produced under strict European environmental guidelines.

Analyst View:      

The industry for cow milk infant formula market is placed for substantial growth due to various advantages it offers to babies, increasing use of bottle-feeding, convenience for mothers who are not able to produce milk through natural process, they have high nutritional content, rise in infant food sector, increase in the consciousness regarding the health of the infants, rise in the population of working women giving birth while having a hectic lifestyle. New innovations and development, advanced technologies, and many collaborations and partnerships helps to boost the growth of the market in upcoming years.

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