Infant Milk Formula Market Report 2026

The infant milk formula market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $62.36 billion in 2025 to $69.39 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing reliance on formula feeding due to changing maternal work patterns, early development of cow’s milk-based and soy-based formulations, rising commercialization of powdered and ready-to-feed formats, expansion of retail distribution channels for infant nutrition products, growing consumer trust in regulated infant formula standards.

The infant milk formula market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $105.12 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for specialized and hydrolyzed formulas for allergy-prone infants, increasing preference for premium and fortified nutrition formulas, expansion of infant formula sales in emerging markets with growing birth rates, development of clean-label and sustainably sourced formula ingredients, growing adoption of e-commerce platforms for infant nutrition purchases. Major trends in the forecast period include rising demand for specialized and hypoallergenic infant formulas, premiumization and growth of organic and clean-label infant formulas, expansion of toddler and follow-on milk formula categories, increasing infant formula adoption in emerging and developing markets, stricter regulatory oversight and quality compliance in infant nutrition.

The growing number of working mothers is expected to drive the growth of the infant milk formula market going forward. Working mothers are women with children who participate in paid employment outside the home. The rise in working mothers is fueled by greater workplace flexibility, allowing them to balance professional responsibilities with childcare and family needs more effectively. Infant milk formula supports working mothers by providing a convenient and reliable alternative to breastfeeding, enabling them to manage infant care alongside their professional commitments. For instance, in July 2025, according to the Official Statistics, a UK-based government agency, in England in 2024, 44% of mothers were employed full-time, while 27% worked part-time for 16 to 29 hours per week. Employment levels for mothers with children under age 5 have also reached 99.2 percent of their pre-pandemic levels. Therefore, the growing number of working mothers is propelling the growth of the infant milk formula market.

Major companies operating in the infant milk formula market are focusing on advanced innovations, such as science-based growing-up milk solutions, to closely replicate the benefits of human breast milk, support early childhood development, and meet the evolving nutritional and health needs of infants and toddlers. Science-based growing-up milk solutions refer to formulas enriched with clinically validated ingredients, including HMOs, probiotics, and essential nutrients, to support infants' immune, cognitive, and overall developmental health. For instance, in November 2023, Nestlé, a Switzerland-based food and beverage company, introduced its first growing-up milk formula containing Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) in mainland China. Manufactured in Suzhou, this formula includes two major types of HMOs - 2'Fucosyllactose (2'FL) and Lacto-N-(neo)tetraose (LNnT) - and aims to support gut health, immune function, and cognitive development in infants. The launch followed China’s National Health Commission approval of HMOs in infant nutrition, reinforcing Nestlé's global leadership in nutrition science and expanding its HMO offerings in China.

In July 2023, Bobbie, a US-based infant formula company, acquired Nature’s One for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Bobbie aims to expand its product portfolio and gain greater control over its manufacturing process to ensure high-quality, organic infant nutrition. Nature’s One is a US-based company recognized for its organic and specialty infant milk formula products.

Major companies operating in the infant milk formula market are Nestlé S.A., Pfizer Inc., Abbott Laboratories, Danone S.A., The Kraft Heinz Company, Arla Foods amba, Reckitt Benckiser Group plc, FrieslandCampina N.V., Meiji Holdings Co. Ltd., Perrigo Company plc, Morinaga Milk Industry Co. Ltd., Mead Johnson & Company LLC, The Hain Celestial Group Inc., Hero Group AG, Ausnutria Dairy Corporation Ltd., Biostime Inc., HiPP GmbH & Co. Vertrieb KG, Beingmate Baby & Child Food Co. Ltd., Synutra International Inc., Bellamy's Organic Pty Ltd.

Europe was the largest region in the infant milk formula market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the infant milk formula market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs on dairy ingredients, plant-based proteins, and finished infant formula imports are increasing production and retail costs, pressuring margins across starting, follow-on, and toddler milk formula segments. Markets that rely heavily on imported formula or ingredients, such as many Asia-Pacific, Latin American, and Middle Eastern countries, face higher prices and potential supply disruptions, especially in premium and specialized formulations. Retail channels like supermarkets and online platforms see more pronounced price sensitivity among parents, while hospital and pharmacy channels prioritize continuity of supply despite higher costs. On the positive side, tariffs are encouraging localization of manufacturing, investment in regional dairy supply chains, and the development of more competitive domestic brands that can reduce long-term dependency on imports.

The infant milk formula market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides infant milk formula market statistics, including the infant milk formula industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the infant milk formula market share, detailed infant milk formula market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the infant milk formula industry. This infant milk formula market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

Infant milk formula is a specially formulated food product intended to replace human breast milk, delivering vital nutrients to support the growth and development of infants under 12 months old when breastfeeding is unavailable or insufficient. Typically derived from cow’s milk that has been modified to meet infant nutritional needs, it is available in both powdered and ready-to-feed liquid forms to promote healthy development during a child’s first year.

The primary product categories include starting milk formula, follow-on milk formula, and toddler milk formula. Starting milk formula is specifically designed for infants from birth to six months, providing key nutrients when breastfeeding is not an option. Target consumer groups include premature infants, lactose-intolerant babies, infants with allergies, twins or multiples, low birth weight babies, and the general infant population. Key distribution channels include specialty stores, supermarkets, online retailers, pharmacies or drugstores, and other retail outlets.

The countries covered in the infant milk formula market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The infant milk formula market consists of sales of cow's milk-based formula, soy-based formula, and hydrolyzed formula. 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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