Global Human Milk Oligosaccharides Market Set to Nearly Double by 2035, Driven by Infant Nutrition Innovation and Expanding Adult Applications

The human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) market is preparing for a decade of strong and sustained growth. Valued at USD 101.1 million in 2025, the sector is projected to expand to USD 191.6 million by 2035, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%. This growth trajectory underscores the rising demand for scientifically validated nutritional ingredients that mimic the complex benefits of breast milk and extend their role beyond infant care into functional foods, nutraceuticals, and even therapeutic nutrition.

Rising Market Awareness and Scientific Momentum

HMOs are naturally occurring complex carbohydrates in breast milk that have attracted global attention due to their role in immunity, gut health, and even cognitive development. With mounting clinical evidence linking HMOs to long-term immune system modulation and gut-brain axis regulation, adoption is expanding not just in infant formula, where they hold a 60% share of market applications, but also in dietary supplements and functional beverages.

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Advancements in synthetic biology and fermentation-based production methods are making HMOs more accessible and cost-efficient, enabling manufacturers to scale up the production of widely studied molecules like 2'-Fucosyllactose (2'-FL), 3-Fucosyllactose (3-FL), and Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT). Regulatory bodies in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific are increasingly granting approvals for their safe inclusion in food, which is accelerating formulation activity across the industry.

Infant Formula Leads the Market

Infant formula remains the cornerstone of HMO adoption, projected to account for 60% of market demand in 2025. Parents are increasingly seeking products that replicate the health benefits of breast milk, particularly in regions such as Asia-Pacific, where premiumization of infant nutrition is rapidly advancing.

Manufacturers are responding with multi-HMO formulations, integrating blends of 2'-FL and LNnT to promote immunity, digestion, and brain development. In China, regulators approved three-HMO blends in 2024, prompting local leaders like Yili, Feihe, and Mengniu to launch new premium lines. Meanwhile, European companies such as Danone have introduced five-HMO mixes under Aptamil Prosyneo, reporting measurable health benefits in clinical studies.

Fucosylated HMOs Secure Market Leadership

Among product types, fucosylated HMOs are expected to dominate with a 35% share in 2025. These compounds selectively nourish beneficial gut bacteria like Bifidobacterium and help block pathogen adhesion, offering immune-boosting properties critical in early childhood. Clinical trials in Spain even linked supplementation of fucosylated HMOs to improved attention scores in toddlers, opening doors for premium positioning in pediatric products.

Global ingredient houses such as DSM-Firmenich, FrieslandCampina Ingredients, and BASF are scaling production capacity, forging alliances with dairy majors, and refining enzymatic recycling methods to reduce environmental impacts and improve consistency. This combination of science and sustainability is reinforcing their leadership positions while lowering barriers for newer entrants.

Regional Growth: Asia-Pacific in the Lead

Asia-Pacific, especially China and India, is projected to be the fastest-growing region, fueled by rising birth rates and greater spending on premium infant nutrition products. China is also setting new benchmarks for regional customization, with formula producers tailoring HMO blends to reflect differences in gut flora and lactose tolerance across provinces.

In North America and Europe, the focus is shifting toward diversifying HMO applications into functional foods, beverages, and dietary supplements for adults. The United States, for example, is witnessing a surge in HMO-infused gut health drinks, while Germany is leading in the development of HMO-based therapeutics targeting inflammatory diseases and microbiome restoration.

Technological Breakthroughs in Production

A notable breakthrough emerged in June 2024, when researchers demonstrated that transgenic plants like Nicotiana benthamiana could be used to produce HMOs, offering a sustainable, cost-effective biofactory approach. This innovation adds to existing precision fermentation platforms that companies like Chr. Hansen, Inbiose, and BASF are scaling to industrial levels.

Fermentation-based production is rapidly reducing costs, improving purity, and ensuring scalability. This trend is paving the way for HMOs to become more widely available not only in high-end infant formula but also in mid-tier and mainstream nutritional products.

Market Performance and Semi-Annual Trends

The market is showing steady acceleration across semi-annual cycles. From 2024 to 2034, growth averaged 6.2% in the first half and 6.7% in the second half. Entering 2025, H1 growth moderated slightly to 6.5%, before rebounding to 6.8% in H2. These shifts highlight the responsiveness of the market to regulatory approvals, supply chain adjustments, and consumer adoption cycles.

Expanding Applications Beyond Infants

One of the most exciting frontiers for HMOs is their integration into adult nutrition. Companies like Abbott and Nestlé Health Science are introducing HMO-enriched functional beverages designed to improve gut health, immunity, and even metabolic wellness. In Germany, clinical nutrition products featuring HMOs are being prescribed for patients with conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and antibiotic-associated dysbiosis, positioning HMOs as a serious tool in medical nutrition.

Meanwhile, diversification of HMO blends is broadening the scope of applications. Beyond the widely used 2'-FL, new attention is being directed toward Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), 3'-Sialyllactose (3'-SL), and 6'-Sialyllactose (6'-SL), which offer complementary benefits in cognitive and immune health.

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Competitive Landscape: Established Leaders and Innovators

The HMO market is moderately concentrated, with major multinationals and specialized biotech firms shaping its direction. Global giants like Nestlé Health Science, BASF, and Abbott Nutrition are leveraging their distribution networks and R&D budgets to dominate the mainstream segment. At the same time, specialized players like Chr. Hansen (Jennewein Biotechnologie), FrieslandCampina Ingredients, and DSM-Firmenich (Glycom) are leading innovation in fermentation processes and high-yield production.

Smaller innovators such as Inbiose, Kyowa Hakko Bio, ZuChem, and GlycoSyn are focusing on niche HMOs and rare oligosaccharides, carving out unique positions through patent-protected processes and regional partnerships. This tiered structure is fostering a balance of stability and innovation, ensuring that both large corporations and nimble startups contribute to shaping the market.

Recent Developments

In March 2024, DSM-Firmenich gained approval for its GlyCare 3-FL ingredient in the U.S. and Australia, enabling its inclusion in functional foods and supplements. Later in 2024, Nestlé Health Science launched its Wyeth Illume brand in China, enriched with HMOs, marking a significant step in catering to the premium infant formula segment in Asia-Pacific.

These developments underscore the growing role of regulatory approvals and product launches in accelerating consumer acceptance and expanding applications across geographies.

Outlook for the Next Decade

As the global HMO market prepares to nearly double by 2035, both established corporations and emerging biotech innovators are well-positioned to benefit. Large players will continue to expand their production capacity, invest in regulatory approvals, and diversify into adult nutrition, while smaller innovators will focus on breakthrough production technologies and rare HMO development.

With rising global awareness of the benefits of HMOs, strong scientific backing, and widening applications across nutrition and health, the market is set to transform from a niche segment into a mainstream driver of innovation in functional and medical nutrition.

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