Global Lactose Market Insights Forecasts to 2033

• The Global Lactose Market Size was Valued at USD 2.99 Billion in 2023
• The Market Size is Growing at a CAGR of 9.5% from 2023 to 2033
• The Worldwide Lactose Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 7.41 Billion by 2033
• Europe is Expected to Grow the fastest during the forecast period

The Global Lactose Market Size is Anticipated to Exceed USD 7.41 Billion by 2033, Growing at a CAGR of 9.5% from 2023 to 2033.

Market Overview

Lactose is a disaccharide sugar that is present in milk and yields glucose and galactose. Cheese produces lactose as a byproduct. It is taken out during the manufacturing process from liquid whey. Commercially, it is one of the most important dairy ingredients, used in a wide range of industries. It is mostly used as an ingredient for pig feed in the feed industry, but it is also used in the food industry to make creams, bakery goods, and confectioneries. Also, used as excipients in the formulation of tablets in pharmaceutical labs. Furthermore, it finds extensive application in the production of baby formula and as a filler/excipient in the pharmaceutical industry. The lactose is also present in the cream, fresh cheeses, and yogurt. Because it facilitates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, lactose is essential for nutrition. In addition to this, lactose helps in the development of beneficial bacteria that defend the gastrointestinal tract of humans against pathogens and advance overall health. The lactose market is expected to grow due to increased consumption in the food & beverage household industry, medical and pharmaceutical usage, and evolving usage in cosmetics and personal care. The lactose market is predicted to expand at an incredible rate during forecast period.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the market for the global lactose market based on various segments and regions forecasts revenue growth and analyzes trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the global lactose market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, product launch, and development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the global lactose market.

Driving Factors

The global lactose market is expanding due to the rising demand for newborn formula, driven by declining breastfeeding rates and growing awareness of newborn nutrition's importance. Increasing the demand for baked items, sweets, creams, and other products, the pharmaceutical industry is boosting the expansion of this sector. Throughout the projected period, it is expected that top players' increased R&D activities and the introduction of new products will further fuel market expansion. The increasing consumption or use of lactose such as milk & milk products, baked products, medical & pharmaceutical sectors, excipients (diluent) in tablet formulations, cosmetics & personal care, and manufacture of infant nutrition formulas. Technological advancements in dairy processing and lactose production have improved efficiency, yields, and product quality, enabling cost-effective and sustainable production, and meeting industry demand and market expansion. Hence, these factors are significant growth of the global lactose market during the forecast period.

Restraining Factors

Most feed manufacturers have shifted to substitutes including maltodextrins, molasses, table sugar, and dextrose because of their high cost and limited availability. It is anticipated that the growing number of people who are intolerant to lactose would restrict the use of these items. The increasing number of lactose intolerant individuals is impacting the market for lactose-containing products, as they struggle to digest lactose, leading to diseases like bloating and diarrhea. Hence, these factors may hamper the market growth of the global lactose market during the forecast period.

Market Segmentation

The global lactose market share is classified into type, application, color, purity, and end-user.

• The monohydrate segment is expected to hold the largest share of the global lactose market during the forecast period.

Based on the type, the global lactose market is divided into monohydrate, anhydrous, galactose, lactulose, and tagatose. Among these, the monohydrate segment is expected to hold the largest share of the global lactose market during the forecast period. The segmental growth can be attributed to the lactose monohydrates is pharmaceutical excipients are widely used in the formulation of tablets & capsules.

• The food segment is expected to hold the largest share of the global lactose market during the forecast period.   

Based on the application, the global lactose market is divided into food, feed, pharmaceuticals, and infant. Among these, the food segment is expected to hold the largest share of the global lactose market during the forecast period. The growth can be attributable to the food industry's increasing desire for dairy product standardization. As more individuals include lactose-based foods like milk, cheese, and butter in their regular diets, the demand for these items is rising over the forecast period.

• The pale-yellow to white segment is expected to hold the largest share of the global lactose market during the forecast period.

Based on the color, the global lactose market is divided into yellow, pale-yellow to white, and white. Among these, the pale-yellow to white is expected to hold the largest share of the global lactose market during the forecast period. The segmental growth can be attributed to the pale yellow to white lactose from the food industries which are major players in increasing the production of infant formula nutrients from developing and developed industries.

• The refined edible segment is expected to hold the largest share of the global lactose market during the forecast period.

Based on the purity, the global lactose market is divided into crude, edible, and refined edible. Among these, the refined edible is expected to hold the largest share of the global lactose market during the forecast period. The segmental growth can be attributed to the refined edibles are extensively used in pharmaceutical and infants’ formula manufacturing. The global market dominance of the refined-edible grade segment is due to the growing demand from pharmaceutical and infant formula industries, advanced product offerings, and stringent specification requirements.

• The food & beverages segment is expected to hold the largest share of the global lactose market during the forecast period.

Based on the end-user, the global lactose market is divided into food & beverages, functional foods, confectionery, animal feed, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics & personal care. Among these, the food & beverages are expected to hold the largest share of the global lactose market during the forecast period. The segmental growth can be attributed to the food and beverage industry's significant expansion as well as the increasing use of lactose in the manufacturing of a wide range of foods and beverages, including edible creams and beverages with added calcium.

Regional Segment Analysis of the Global Lactose Market

• North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) 
• Europe (Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of APAC)
• Latin America (Brazil and the Rest of South America) 
• The Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa, Rest of MEA)

Asia-Pacific is anticipated to hold the largest share of the global lactose market over the predicted timeframe.

Asia-Pacific is anticipated to hold the largest share of the global lactose market over the predicted timeframe. The presence of the market players which are increasing the manufacturing of infant formula and pharmaceutical industry in Asian Countries raises the demand for driving market growth. The region's high raw milk output, consumers' growing appetite for high-quality dairy products, and sufficient industry regulation ensure product safety and quality. The expansion of the lactose market to product innovation, development in various application sectors, and a growing lactose market during the forecast period.

Europe is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR growth of the global lactose market during the forecast period. The Europe region's market expansion is anticipated to be fueled by the expanding food industry, the rising use of infant formula throughout Europe, and the well-established dairy industry.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the global lactose market along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Fonterra Co-operative Group
• MILEI GmbH (Morinaga Milk Industry CO., LTD.
• Kerry Group plc.
• Käserei Champignon Hofmeister GmbH & Co. KG
• Armor Proteines
• Glanbia PLC
• Milk Specialties Global
• Saputo Inc.,
• Arla Foods Ingredients Group P/S
• MEGGLE GmbH & Co. KG
• Lactose Limited
• FrieslandCampina
• DFE Pharma
• Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc.
• Lactalis International
• Others

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting And Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Recent Developments

• In April 2023, A milled lactose grade has been added to MEGGLE GmbH & Co. KG's InhaLac product range.

• In July 2022, the introduction of Lactohale® 400 will broaden DFE pharma's dry powder inhalation (DPI) product line. DFE Pharma is a leading global provider of pharma- and nutraceutical excipient solutions.

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2033. Spherical Insights has segmented the global lactose market based on the below-mentioned segments: 

Global Lactose Market, By Type

• Monohydrate
• Anhydrous
• Galactose
• Lactulose
• Tagatose

Global Lactose Market, By Application

• Food
• Feed
• Pharmaceuticals
• Infant

Global Lactose Market, By Color

• Yellow
• Pale-Yellow to White
• White

Global Lactose Market, By Purity

• Crude
• Edible
• Refined Edible

Global Lactose Market, By End-user

• Food & Beverages
• Functional Foods
• Confectionery
• Animal Feed
• Pharmaceutical
• Cosmetics & Personal Care

Global Lactose Market, By Region

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • Uk
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa