Lactic Starter Culture Market Report 2026

The lactic starter culture market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $4.29 billion in 2025 to $4.69 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of dairy processing industries, growing consumption of fermented foods, adoption of standardized fermentation practices, increased focus on food safety and quality, availability of commercial starter culture solutions.

The lactic starter culture market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $6.62 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for functional and probiotic foods, rising growth of plant-based fermented products, expansion of clean-label dairy processing, increasing investment in fermentation technology innovation, growing use of customized starter cultures. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for probiotic and functional cultures, rising adoption of freeze-dried starter cultures, growing focus on consistent fermentation performance, expansion of non-dairy and plant-based applications, enhanced emphasis on shelf-stable culture formats.

The increasing consumption of fermented dairy products is expected to drive the growth of the lactic starter culture market in the coming years. Fermented dairy products are milk-based foods that undergo controlled microbial fermentation, where beneficial bacteria convert lactose into lactic acid to enhance flavor, texture, and shelf life. The growing demand for these products is fueled by increasing consumer awareness of their health benefits, such as improved digestion, stronger immunity, and overall well-being. Lactic starter cultures are essential in this process, ensuring consistent fermentation, safety, and desirable taste and texture in products such as yogurt, cheese, kefir, and buttermilk. For instance, in 2023, Eurostat, a Luxembourg-based statistical agency of the European Union, reported that dairies across the EU processed around 7.8 million tonnes of acidified milk products, including yogurt. Therefore, the increasing consumption of fermented dairy products is contributing significantly to the growth of the lactic starter culture market.

Major companies in the lactic starter culture market are focusing on technological advancements in fermentation processes, such as improved pH stability, to enhance yogurt consistency, extend shelf life, and maintain superior taste throughout storage. Exceptional pH stability allows a starter culture to sustain controlled acidity during fermentation and storage, preventing over-acidification and ensuring uniform flavor, texture, and quality. For instance, in September 2023, DSM-Firmenich, a Switzerland-based provider of nutrition, health, and beauty solutions, launched DelvoFresh Pioneer, a next-generation starter culture designed for very mild yogurts that delivers exceptional pH stability throughout processing and shelf life. This innovation enables yogurt producers to achieve consistent mildness, better texture, and extended freshness for up to 60 days in cold storage. The development leverages advanced strain optimization and precision fermentation technologies to ensure product uniformity and quality across large-scale dairy production.

In January 2024, Lallemand Inc., a Canada-based company specializing in yeasts, bacteria, and fermentation-based solutions for food and nutrition, acquired Evolva AG for $23.5 million. The acquisition aims to strengthen Lallemand’s fermentation and microbial culture technology platform, enhancing its ability to produce advanced starter cultures for dairy and other fermented food applications. Evolva AG is a Switzerland-based biotechnology firm focused on precision fermentation and microbial-derived ingredient development.

Major companies operating in the lactic starter culture market are Cargill Incorporated, Danone S.A., Arla Foods Ingredients, Dsm-Firmenich AG, Meiji Holdings Co. Ltd., Kerry Group Plc, Döhler Group, Lallemand Inc., Benny Impex, Biolacter Inc., Lactosan, Biena, Lesaffre Group, Procudan S.L., Wyeast Laboratories, Sacco System, Mediterranea Biotecnologie S.R.L., Tropilite Foods, Proquiga Biotech S.A., New England Cheesemaking Supply Company, Soyuzsnab, Mofn Alce Group.

North America was the largest region in the lactic starter culture market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the lactic starter culture 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 lactic starter culture market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The lactic starter culture market consists of sales of direct vat set cultures, bulk starter media, fermented dairy bases, and bacterial culture blends. It also covers sales of culture preparation kits, starter culture additives, nutrient media used for starter propagation, and customized multi-strain blends designed for specific fermentation processes. 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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