Functional Foods Market Definition And Segments
Functional foods are highly nutritious foods that are associated with many health benefits. The benefits include prevention of nutrition deficiencies, protection against diseases, improved cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and promotion of proper growth and development.
The main product types are bakery and cereals, dairy products, meat, fish and eggs, soy products, fats and oils, and other product types. A dairy product is milk and any of the foods made from milk, including butter, cheese, ice cream, yogurt, and condensed and dried milk. The ingredients used for functional foods are carotenoids, dietary fibers, fatty acids, minerals, prebiotics, probiotics, vitamins, and other product types. The various applications of these food products are sports nutrition, weight management, immunity, digestive health, clinical nutrition, cardio health, and other product types.
The functional foods market covered in this report is segmented –
1) By Product Type: Bakery & Cereals, Dairy Products, Meat, Fish & Eggs, Soy Products, Fats & Oils, Other Product Types
2) By Ingredients: Carotenoids, Dietary Fibers, Fatty Acids, Minerals, Prebiotics & Probiotics, Vitamins, Other Ingredients
3) By Application: Sports Nutrition, Weight Management, Immunity, Digestive Health, Clinical Nutrition, Cardio Health, Other Applications
The functional foods market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $251.66 billion in 2023 to $282.11 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing health awareness, aging population, preventive healthcare trend, scientific research and nutritional advancements, rising incidence of lifestyle diseases.
The functional foods market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $421.65 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to changing dietary patterns, personalized nutrition trends, expanding middle-class population, focus on gut health, clean label and natural ingredients. Major trends in the forecast period include advancements in food technology, rising consumer awareness of health and wellness, emphasis on gut health, innovation in ingredients and formulations, digitalization of nutrition and personalized diets.
Rising Disease Rates Drive Demand For Functional Foods: A Focus On Health And Prevention
The increasing number of diseases is shifting consumers' focus to healthy eating, which in turn is projected to boost the demand for functional foods. Functional food provides the human body with healthy nutrition, vitamins and minerals, and reduces the risk of diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is a leading cause of death in the USA, and about 6, 47, 000 Americans die from heart disease every year, which is one out of every four deaths. Therefore, the increasing number of cardiovascular and other diseases across the globe is anticipated to generate higher demand for a healthy diet, which in turn, is likely to propel the revenues of the functional food market over the forecast period.
Rising Demand For Nutrient-Rich Foods Fueling Growth In The Functional Foods Market
The rising demand for nutrient-rich foods is expected to propel the growth of the functional foods market going forward. Nutrient-rich foods refer to those that provide a high concentration of essential nutrients relative to their calorie content. Functional foods are preferable to nutrient-rich foods as they offer vital nutrients including vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and fiber, which are crucial for preserving good health and lowering the risk of chronic diseases. For instance, in June 2022, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, a US-based government agency, the amount spent on domestic food and nutrition assistance programs run by the USDA in 2021 was at a record high of $182.5 billion, up 43% over the previous record high, adjusted for inflation, of $127.5 billion set in 2020. Therefore, the rising demand for nutrient-rich foods is driving the functional foods market.
Major companies operating in the functional foods market report are Nestlé Alimentana SA, BASF SE, PepsiCo Inc., Unilever PLC, Abbott Laboratories, The Coca-Cola Company, GlaxoSmithKline Company, Mondelez International Inc., Danone SA, Kraft Foods Inc., General Mills Inc., Royal FrieslandCampina NV, Kellogg Company, Kirin Holdings Company Ltd., Dr PepperSnapple Group Inc., Red Bull GmbH, Ajinomoto Co. Inc., Meiji Holdings Company Ltd., Givaudan SA, Glanbia PLC, Barilla Holding SpA, Arla Foods UK PLC, Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc., Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing Company, Raisio Oyj, Lifeway Foods Inc., GFR Pharma Ltd., BNL Food Group Inc., Suiza Foods Corporation, Murray Goulburn Co-Operative Co. Limited
Price Constraints On Functional Food Market Growth: Impact Of Healthier Ingredients And Natural Components
The higher price of functional food products attributed to the inclusion of healthier or natural ingredients is limiting the growth of the functional food market. Functional foods are sold at higher prices and hold larger profit margins than conventional foods. Functional foods are priced 30 to 500% higher than comparable conventional foods. Thus, the higher prices of functional food are to act as a major restraint for the growth of the functional food market over the forthcoming years.
Recent Innovations And Market Expansion Strategies In The Functional Food Industry
Key players dealing in the functional food market are increasingly focusing on new product developments and company expansion to meet the rising demand from consumers. For instance, in January 2022, Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited, a New Zealand-based dairy company, Tillamook Country Creamery Association (TCAA), and Three Mile Canyon Farm, introduced Pro-Optima, an A-grade functional whey protein concentrate. Pro-Optima can be used in cultured products such as yogurt to enhance the textures and deliver multi-functional benefits.
Merit Functional Foods Launches Usda-Certified Organic Pea Protein Component
Major companies operating in the functional foods market are focusing on developing innovative products, such as new plant ingredients, to strengthen their position in the market. Plant ingredients refer to substances derived from plants that are used in various applications, such as food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and more. For instance, in December 2022, Merit Functional Foods, a US-based manufacturer of high-purity proteins, launched the Organic Peazazz C 850, the first United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-certified organic protein component. The new ingredient is planned to satisfy the rising demand for plant-based protein sources and provide a premium replacement for current protein sources. It is a highly pure pea protein with superb flavor and solubility. It can be used in a wide range of products, such as beverages, protein bars, and dairy substitutes.
Kerry Group Expands Health Ingredients Portfolio With $150 Million Acquisition Of Biosearch Life
In July 2021, Kerry Group, an Ireland-based food company, acquired Biosearch Life for a deal of $150 million. Through this acquisition, Kerry Group aims to expand its product portfolio of health ingredients such as probiotics and omega-3s. Biosearch Life is a Spain-based biotechnology company.
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the functional food market in 2023. Western Europe was the second-largest region in the global functional foods market. The regions covered in the functional foods market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the functional foods market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain
The functional food market consists of sales of fatty acids, carotenoids, prebiotics & probiotics, vitamins, dietary fibers, minerals, and other functional foods. Values in this market are factory gate values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
The functional food research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides functional food statistics, including functional food industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with functional food share, detailed functional food segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the functional food industry. This functional food research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.