Milk Replacers Market Report 2026

The milk replacers market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $4.59 billion in 2025 to $5 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of livestock farming operations, increasing use of formulated feed products, rising dairy price volatility, adoption of milk alternatives in food processing, availability of diversified protein sources.

The milk replacers market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $7.19 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for sustainable animal nutrition solutions, rising adoption of non-dairy protein formulations, expansion of specialty livestock feeding programs, growing focus on feed efficiency optimization, increasing innovation in milk replacer formulations. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for lactose-reduced nutrition products, rising adoption of plant-based and blended milk replacers, growing use of milk replacers in animal nutrition, expansion of powdered milk replacer formats, enhanced focus on nutritional consistency.

The rapid growth in dairy product consumption is expected to drive the growth of the milk replacer market going forward. Dairy products include milk and milk-derived items such as butter, cheese, ice cream, yogurt, and condensed or dried milk. Rising population, changing dietary habits, and growing awareness of dairy’s health benefits are increasing consumer demand. Milk replacers serve as substitutes for milk, helping meet this demand and fueling market growth. For instance, in November 2024, according to the US-based Foreign Agricultural Service, milk production in Australia is expected to rise by 1.1% in 2025 to 8.8 million metric tons, following a 2.7% increase in 2024 to an estimated 8.7 million metric tons. Therefore, increasing usage of dairy products is boosting the milk replacer market.

Nutrition-based product enhancement is a key trend in the milk replacer market. Major companies are focusing on improving the nutritional profile of milk replacers through the addition of key nutrients to maintain a competitive position. For example, in February 2024, Mole Valley Farmers, a UK-based agricultural supply and rural retailing company, launched ProtéGo, a calf formula designed to enhance calf health and growth. Inspired by colostrum, the first milk produced by mammals, ProtéGo contains essential bioactive components supporting gut and immune system development. The formula includes immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, and Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM), which boost disease resilience and promote better weight gain in calves. Formulated with carefully selected, low heat-treated dairy ingredients, ProtéGo provides energy and protein essential for healthy growth, particularly during the early weeks of life.

In December 2023, Denkavit Group, a Netherlands-based animal nutrition and feed company, acquired the Volac Milk Replacer business from Volac International Ltd for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Denkavit aims to consolidate and expand its global leadership in the calf milk replacer market by integrating Volac’s established sales and distribution networks, strengthening its presence in the UK and Ireland. Volac International Ltd is a UK-based provider of milk replacer products.

Major companies operating in the milk replacers market are Cargill Incorporated, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Alltech Inc, Nutreco Holding NV, Land O'Lakes Inc, BEWITAL agri GmbH & Co KG, Nukamel BV, Kent Nutrition Group, Calva Products LLC, Hi-Pro Feeds LP, Milk Products LLC, Manna Pro Products LLC, Pet-Ag Inc, Royal FrieslandCampina NV, Volac International Limited, Bonanza Calf Nutrition, Merrick’s Inc, Grober Nutrition, ForFarmers NV, Harbro Nutrition Inc, Trouw Nutrition.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the milk replacers market in 2025. The regions covered in the milk replacers market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the milk replacers market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The milk replacers market consists of sales of whole milk replacers, skim milk replacers, specialty milk replacers, acidified milk replacers, and non-dairy milk replacers. 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.

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