Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Type (2'FL, 3'FL, 3'SL, 6'SL, LNT, LNnT), Concentration (Neutral, Acidic), Application (Infant Formula, Dietary Supplements, Food & Beverages)—Global Forecast to 2031

The Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) market was valued at $0.35 billion in 2023. This market is expected to reach $1.71 billion by 2031 from an estimated $0.45 billion in 2024, at a CAGR of 21.2% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2031.

Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) Market Size & Forecast

The growth of this market is driven by the rising demand for infant nutrition and dietary supplements, increasing awareness regarding the benefits of HMOs, and increased product innovation by various human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) manufacturers. Moreover, increasing technological advancements and government approvals for the use of HMOs for human consumption are expected to generate growth opportunities.

Key Findings Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) Market

• By Type: In 2024, the 2’FL Segment to Dominate the Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) Market
• By Concentration: In 2024, the Neutral Segment is Expected to Dominate the Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) Market
• By Application: In 2024, the Infant Formula Segment is Expected to Dominate the Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) Market
• By Geography: North America to Dominate the Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) Market in 2024

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Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) Market Drivers

Rising Demand for Infant Nutrition

The demand for infant nutrition is increasing, driven by its associated benefits and the growing availability of diverse products in the market. With the global population projected to rise by nearly 2 billion, from 8 billion in 2022 to 9.7 billion by 2050, the expanding infant population is expected to further boost the demand for infant nutrition.

However, the increase in dual-income households, coupled with a growing population of working mothers, has heightened the reliance on convenient, ready-to-use infant nutrition products. Additionally, there is a rising awareness among parents regarding their children’s nutritional needs for cognitive and physical development. As a result, many parents are choosing products that meet these nutritional requirements, often opting for organic and allergen-free options. These trends are significantly driving the growth of the HMO market.

Increasing Awareness Regarding the Benefits of HMO

In recent years, the demand for infant nutrition has surged significantly, with HMOs gaining traction due to their various health benefits for infants. Parents are increasingly aware of the importance of incorporating HMOs into their baby's daily nutrition. Furthermore, due to their substantial health advantages, many consumers are opting for dietary supplements that contain HMOs.

HMOs play a crucial role in infants' health by enhancing immune function through the promotion of beneficial gut bacteria and acting as decoys for pathogens, thereby lowering the risk of infections. Additionally, HMOs contribute to cognitive development by supporting brain growth during early life stages. They also improve gastrointestinal health by fostering beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome, which is essential for overall health and well-being. These factors have led to increased utilization of HMOs in various supplements, and the growing awareness of their benefits is further supporting market growth.

Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) Market Opportunities

Increasing Technological Advancements 

The HMO market is experiencing significant technological advancements that enhance the efficiency, scalability, and diversity of HMO synthesis. Advances in enzyme engineering have enabled more controlled and efficient synthesis through transglycosylation techniques. Additionally, chemoenzymatic synthesis combines chemical methods with enzymatic reactions, providing greater flexibility and efficiency in HMO production. Furthermore, innovative research is exploring the use of transgenic plants as platforms for HMO production, allowing for the engineering of plants to produce complex HMOs at a lower cost compared to microbial systems. As a result, these technological advancements are expected to present substantial growth opportunities for players in the Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) market in the coming years.

Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) Market Analysis: Top Market Opportunity:

The 2’FL Segment is Expected to Dominate the Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) Market in 2024

Based on type, the human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) market is segmented into 2’FL, 3’FL, 3’SL, 6’SL, LNT, LNnT, and DFL. In 2024, the 2’FL segment is expected to account for the largest share of the human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) market. The substantial market share of this segment is primarily driven by its high product availability since its approval in 2016, a growing preference for HMOs due to their numerous health benefits and diverse applications, an increasing demand for infant formulas containing HMOs, and the rising incorporation of 2'FL into these infant formula products.

Geographical Analysis

North America Dominates the Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) Market in 2024

In 2024, North America is estimated to account for the largest share of the global Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) market. North America’s significant share of the human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) market can be primarily attributed to heightened awareness of the health benefits of HMOs, increasing consumer preference for HMO-based products, a growing trend toward personalized nutrition with a focus on gut health, technological advancements in the region, and strong government support for regulatory frameworks and policies.

However, the Asia-Pacific region is slated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This growth is driven by increasing preferences for infant nutrition, a rising infant population in the region, higher spending on health-related products, and expanding product offerings from key market players.

Key Companies

The report includes a competitive landscape based on an extensive assessment of the key strategic developments that led market participants to adopt over the past three years (2021-2024).

The key players profiled in the global human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) market report are Chr. Hansen A/S (A part of Novonesis) (Denmark), DSM-Firmenich AG (Switzerland), Kyowa Hakko Europe GmbH (Germany), Royal FrieslandCampina N.V. (Netherlands), ZuChem Inc. (U.S.), ELICITYL S.A. (France), Dextra Laboratories Limited (U.K.), Glycosyn LLC (U.S.), Nestle Health Science (U.S.), Biosynth Ltd (U.K.), Inbiose NV (Belgium), BASF SE (Germany), and Abbott Laboratories (U.S.), among others.

Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) Industry Overview: Latest Developments from Key Industry Players

• In January 2024, Royal FrieslandCampina N.V. (Netherlands) got approval for its 2’-Fucosyllactose (2’-FL) ingredient, Aequival, in Thailand to use in infant formula.

• In January 2024, DSM-Firmenich AG (Switzerland) received approval for four more human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) ingredients by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to use in infant formula.

• In January 2024, Kyowa Hakko Bio Co., Ltd. (Japan) partnered with the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR) to advance research on Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs).
• In November 2023, Nestle Health Science (U.S.) launched a milk solution containing HMOs (Human Milk Oligosaccharides) for early-life nutrition in mainland China under the Wyeth Illume brand.
• In July 2023, DSM-Firmenich AG (Switzerland) expanded its presence in the human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) portfolio in China by submitting two new ingredients to the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) and National Health Committee (NHC).
• In February 2023, DSM-Firmenich AG (Switzerland) received approval for its HMO ingredient – GlyCare 3FL, for applications in food and dietary supplements in the US and Australia.

Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) Market Research Summary

Key questions answered in the human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) market report: