Baby Food Market

The global baby food market is expected to see an upward trend in consumption and production over the period from 2022 to 2030, with forecasted increases in volume and value terms. China, the United States, and India are among the top consuming and producing countries, while the Netherlands, France, and Ireland are key exporters. Prices and trends in both exports and imports are analyzed, with significant growth recorded in certain countries over the past decade.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for baby food worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 8.2M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $72.8B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Food Preparations For Infants

In 2022, approx. 7.3M tons of food preparations for infants were consumed worldwide; almost unchanged from 2021. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 3.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global consumption reached the peak volume at 7.8M tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global baby food market revenue was estimated at $56.5B in 2022, remaining stable against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 9.3%. Global consumption peaked at $58.3B in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (1.3M tons), the United States (839K tons) and India (457K tons), with a combined 35% share of global consumption. Ireland, Japan, Pakistan, Russia, Indonesia, Brazil, Bangladesh, Mexico and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 21%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Ireland (with a CAGR of +29.0%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($22.3B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($6.8B). It was followed by Japan.

In China, the baby food market expanded at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: the United States (+2.7% per year) and Japan (-4.2% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of baby food per capita consumption was registered in Ireland (46 kg per person), followed by the United States (2.5 kg per person), Japan (1.7 kg per person) and Turkey (1.4 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of baby food was estimated at 0.9 kg per person.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the baby food per capita consumption in Ireland totaled +27.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (-1.6% per year) and Japan (-4.4% per year).

Production

World Production of Food Preparations For Infants

In 2022, the amount of food preparations for infants produced worldwide totaled 7.3M tons, with an increase of 2.1% on 2021. Overall, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 2.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum volume at 7.6M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, baby food production rose to $55B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 15% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $55.1B in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (995K tons), the United States (826K tons) and India (457K tons), together comprising 31% of global production. Ireland, the Netherlands, Japan, France, Pakistan, Russia, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico and Bangladesh lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Ireland (with a CAGR of +10.6%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Food Preparations For Infants

In 2022, purchases abroad of food preparations for infants decreased by -5.4% to 1.3M tons, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 20%. Global imports peaked at 1.7M tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, baby food imports shrank slightly to $10.9B in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -12.1% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 22% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at $12.4B in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports By Country

China represented the largest importer of food preparations for infants in the world, with the volume of imports amounting to 281K tons, which was near 22% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Malaysia (82K tons), comprising a 6.3% share of total imports. The following importers - Poland (44K tons), the United States (42K tons), France (41K tons), Germany (40K tons), the UK (39K tons), the Netherlands (35K tons), Vietnam (35K tons), Italy (31K tons), Canada (25K tons), Belgium (21K tons) and Australia (21K tons) - together made up 29% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to baby food imports into China stood at +11.9%. At the same time, the United States (+42.0%), Poland (+15.7%), the Netherlands (+13.0%), Australia (+9.4%), Vietnam (+7.3%), Germany (+5.6%), Malaysia (+2.7%), Belgium (+1.8%) and France (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the United States emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +42.0% from 2012-2022. Canada experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Italy (-3.7%) and the UK (-7.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of China, the United States, Poland and the Netherlands increased by +13, +3.1, +2.4 and +1.7 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($4.6B) constitutes the largest market for imported food preparations for infants worldwide, comprising 42% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($320M), with a 2.9% share of global imports. It was followed by Vietnam, with a 2.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China amounted to +15.9%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+55.0% per year) and Vietnam (+7.4% per year).

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average baby food import price amounted to $8,403 per ton, picking up by 5.2% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.8%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 21% against the previous year. Global import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($16,226 per ton), while Italy ($2,387 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+9.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Food Preparations For Infants

In 2022, shipments abroad of food preparations for infants was finally on the rise to reach 1.3M tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by 14% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at 1.4M tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, baby food exports rose markedly to $10.3B in 2022. In general, total exports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -6.8% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 25%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure at $11B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports By Country

The Netherlands (238K tons) and France (163K tons) represented the key exporters of food preparations for infants in 2022, recording approx. 19% and 13% of total exports, respectively. Ireland (97K tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a 7.8% share, followed by New Zealand (7.2%), Germany (6.5%) and Spain (5.1%). Poland (54K tons), Switzerland (37K tons), Rwanda (35K tons), Mexico (29K tons), the United States (29K tons), Denmark (27K tons) and Singapore (24K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Rwanda (with a CAGR of +51.4%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($3B) remains the largest baby food supplier worldwide, comprising 29% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by New Zealand ($1.1B), with a 10% share of global exports. It was followed by France, with a 9.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the Netherlands totaled +8.3%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: New Zealand (+16.1% per year) and France (+3.4% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average baby food export price stood at $8,207 per ton in 2022, surging by 2.9% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.4%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the average export price increased by 10%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $8,228 per ton in 2018; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($12,590 per ton), while Rwanda ($1,475 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Rwanda (+7.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform