The reduced lactose whey market has seen considerable growth due to a variety of factors.
• The market size of reduced lactose whey has experienced considerable expansion in recent years. It is forecasted to increase from $14.33 billion in 2024 to $15.94 billion in 2025, projecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.3%.
The significant growth observed in the historic period is due to the heightened awareness about lactose intolerance, increased incidence of lactose intolerance, more widespread availability of low lactose products, the imposition of legislation requiring lactose labeling by the government, and growth of the dairy industry.
The reduced lactose whey market is expected to maintain its strong growth trajectory in upcoming years.
• There's an anticipated swift expansion for the reduced lactose whey market within upcoming years, with an estimated valuation of $24.12 billion by 2029, alongside a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.9%.
Factors contributing to this projected advancement during the forecast period are the escalating incidence of lactose intolerance, development of the sports nutrition and functional foods sectors, heightened endorsement of specialized dietary patterns, upswing in research and development undertakings, and the expanding infant formula market. As the forecast period unfolds, dominant trends such as increased consumer demand for reduced lactose whey items, enlargement of functional food offerings, ingenuity in the sports nutrition sector, diversification in product line ups, and the augmentation of distribution channels are expected to corroborate this expansion.
The rise in popularity of plant-based diets is projected to stimulate the expansion of the reduced-lactose whey market into the future. A plant-based diet generally indicates a food consumption habit that primarily includes plant-derived food items like fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes, whilst minimizing or completely avoiding animal products. This growing trend towards plant-based diets is fuelled by growing consciousness about environmental sustainability, health advantages, and ethical issues surrounding animal welfare. In this context, reduced lactose whey plays a prominent role, presenting a source of high-grade protein and a lactose-minimizing component for those looking to augment their plant-based diets with additional protein. For example, the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) reported in January 2023 that the sales growth of plant-based foods in the US rose to 6.6% in 2022, up from 5.9% in the previous year. Additionally, the plant-based creamer, which is the third biggest segment after milk and meat, witnessed a 24% growth in earnings and a 12% boost in sales volume. Hence, the escalating popularity of plant-based diets is fuelling the expansion of the reduced-lactose whey market.
The reduced lactose whey market covered in this report is segmented –
1) By Type: Organic Reduced Lactose Whey, Conventional Reduced Lactose Whey
2) By Extraction: Extraction By Precipitation, Extraction By Filtration, Extraction By Dialysis
3) By End User: Food And Beverages, Nutraceuticals, Household And Retail Use
Subsegments:
1) By Organic Reduced Lactose Whey: Organic Reduced Lactose Whey Powder, Organic Reduced Lactose Whey Concentrate, Organic Reduced Lactose Whey Protein
2) By Conventional Reduced Lactose Whey: Conventional Reduced Lactose Whey Powder, Conventional Reduced Lactose Whey Concentrate, Conventional Reduced Lactose Whey Protein
Prominent firms active in the reduced lactose whey market are broadening their range of offerings by introducing cutting-edge products like animal-free whey protein to satisfy the increasing demand from vegan and plant-based consumers. This whey protein variant is obtained without involving any animals and is manufactured through precision fermentation, where genetically modified organisms such as fungi are used to yield whey proteins in bioreactors. For example, Strive Nutrition, a sustainable nutrition organization based in the US, unveiled a range of dairy substitutes fortified with animal-free whey protein in June 2022, striving to emulate the flavor and nutritional value of cow's milk without the related health and environmental drawbacks. Strive FREEMILK, the animal-free whey protein, promises to be devoid of lactose, hormones, antibiotics, and cholesterol while offering 25% extra protein, 75% lesser sugar, and decreased saturated fat compared to traditional whole cow's milk.
Major companies operating in the reduced lactose whey market report are:
• Fonterra Inc.
• Land O'Lakes Inc.
• Tetra Pak International SA
• Dana Foods Inc.
• Agropur Inc.
• Glanbia plc
• Leprino Foods Company
• Organic Valley
• Hilmar Cheese Company Inc.
• Carbery Group
• Volac International Limited
• Westland Co-operative Dairy Company Limited
• Graham Chemical Corporation
• Davisco Foods International Inc.
• Interfood Inc.
• Redwood Hill Farm
• MCT Dairies Inc.
• Idaho Milk Products Inc.
• Wapsie Valley Creamery Inc.
• Erie Foods International Inc.
• Grande Cheese Company
• AMCO Proteins Company
• Wheyco GmbH
• Agri Dairy Products Inc.
Europe was the largest region in the reduced lactose whey market in 2024. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the reduced lactose whey market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.