Growth Forecast for Human Milk Fortifier Market, Anticipated to Reach USD 9.9 Billion by 2034
The Human Milk Fortifier (HMF) Market is experiencing a surge in growth, with projections indicating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 9.9% to 10% from 2025 to 2034. This expansion is expected to propel the market from its current value of approximately USD 331.7 million in 2024 to an estimated USD 852.6 million by 2034 globally.
Market Size and Growth Projections
In 2024, the overall HMF market was valued at USD 331.7 million, with the liquid fortifier segment alone accounting for around USD 500 million. By 2032, this segment is projected to surpass USD 1.2 billion.
Product Types and End Users
Human Milk Fortifiers are typically concentrated nutritional supplements added to mother’s own milk or donor milk. They come mainly in liquid and powder forms, with key constituents including protein, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, and micronutrients to enhance nutrient density for preterm or very low birth-weight infants. The primary end users are preterm infants and very low birth-weight neonates in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs).
Distribution Channels and Regional Analysis
The main distribution channels for HMF are hospitals and neonatal care centers, with some distribution via pharmaceutical companies and specialized medical nutrition suppliers. The market is primarily dominated by North America, accounting for over 47.2% of global revenue in 2024, followed by the Asia Pacific region, which is experiencing the fastest growth.
Market Drivers and Trends
The increasing preterm birth rates worldwide and rising NICU care quality, coupled with clinical evidence demonstrating improved weight gain and growth outcomes in preterm infants with fortified breast milk, are key drivers for the market. Major market players like Nestlé SA, Abbott, and Mead Johnson (Reckitt) dominate the global supply, particularly in advanced markets.
Notable Developments
- NeoLacta Lifesciences launched the first lyophilized (freeze-dried) human milk-derived fortifier in Asia, reducing cow's milk protein risks.
- Prolacta leads in 100% human milk-based fortifiers, with recent FDA-reviewed studies showing lower mortality and NEC rates in extremely preterm infants.
- Nestle's Gerber Good Start Human Milk Fortifier incorporates probiotics to support gut health in preemies.
- Abbott has advanced its Similac Human Milk Fortifier with HMO (Human Milk Oligosaccharides) for improved nutrient absorption.
In summary, the Human Milk Fortifier Market is poised for significant growth over the next decade, driven by clinical validation of benefits, enhanced neonatal care infrastructure, and steady regional expansion. The market is segmented by product types (liquid and powder), primarily serves preterm infant care in hospitals, and is distributed mainly via healthcare centers with increasing penetration in emerging regions.
- The surge in growth projected for the Human Milk Fortifier (HMF) Market includes a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 9.9% to 10% from 2025 to 2034, with the market expected to reach an estimated USD 852.6 million by 2034.
- These concentrated nutritional supplements, added to mother’s own milk or donor milk, are typically produced in either liquid or powder form and contain key constituents such as protein, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, and micronutrients.
- The primary end users of HMF are preterm infants and very low birth-weight neonates in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), with the main distribution channels being hospitals and neonatal care centers.
- Global domination of the HMF market is currently held by North America, accounting for over 47.2% of global revenue in 2024, but the Asia Pacific region shows the fastest growth in this industry.
- Improved weight gain and growth outcomes in preterm infants with fortified breast milk, rising NICU care quality, and increasing preterm birth rates worldwide contribute to the market's growth in the health-and-wellness and medical-conditions sectors.
- Notable developments in the HMF industry include the launch of lyophilized human milk-derived fortifiers, advancements in 100% human milk-based fortifiers, integrating probiotics into fortifiers, and fortifiers with HMO (Human Milk Oligosaccharides) for enhanced nutrient absorption, demonstrating commitment to innovation in this health and fitness-and-exercise-related industry and utilizing technology for data-and-cloud-computing to improve the market's financial performance.
