Groupe Danone continues to be the leading company in the global dairy products and alternatives market, with a particular focus on yoghurt and milk formula. Although it has been losing a little of its global retail value share in recent years, like all top companies it is focusing on innovations around healthy eating to better respond to consumers’ evolving demands, including an emphasis on high-protein products as well as those fortified with nutrients promoting gut health.

Baby food in India is set to see significant retail current value growth in 2024, with increases anticipated across all categories. Milk formula is expected to remain the largest category within baby food in India in 2024. With an increasing number of consumers getting used to sedentary lifestyles, lactation problems are on the rise, increasing the adoption of milk formula. While most mothers still prefer to breastfeed their babies, some are not able to produce enough milk, which leads them to u

FrieslandCampina has achieved sustained value growth despite challenging economic conditions in the dairy landscape, showcasing resilience through innovative initiatives across its streamlined business groups. Drinking milk and yoghurt have performed strongly, driven by a surge in general wellness and everyday nutrition. The company remains dedicated to strategic investments in its robust brand portfolio and is focused on enhancing its value proposition to maintain market share.

Baby food is set to maintain solid retail current value growth in Brazil in 2024, with milk formula continuing to account for the highest share of sales. Despite ongoing discussions about the benefits of breastfeeding, milk formula maintains its relevance in the Brazilian market, boosted both by the birth rate, which reached 12.26 per 1,000 population in 2023, with manufacturers introducing a diverse array of options for children. Special milk formula products, such as lactose-free, soy- or plan

Demand for baby food in South Korea is being significantly impacted by the country’s low birth rate. This is particularly evident in milk formula, where retail value and volume sales are declining across all segments; standard, follow-on, growing-up, and special baby milk formula. As a result, many milk formula-related players are shifting their focus away from targeting the mass market and instead are enhancing the functional elements of their products, tailoring them to specific TPOs (time, pl

Baby food in Peru, excluding milk formula, which continues to account for the vast majority of value sales, has been facing significant challenges in recent years. Economic crisis and soaring prices have impacted consumer choices, leading many parents to opt for fresh, homemade alternatives over commercial baby foods. In Peru, it is still common to have domestic help, making it easier to prepare food at home. In addition, there is a growing preference for natural ingredients and concerns over pr

While demographic factors do not favour the baby food category, there is a growing consumer focus on organic baby food in Slovenia in 2024, which has resulted in increased premiumisation within the category. An increasing number of consumers are opting for baby food brands that contain natural and organic ingredients, with many of these products being labelled as "bio." This shift reflects a broader trend towards healthier and more natural food choices for infants, driven by heightened awareness

As Sweden’s birth rate continues to decline, baby food in 2024 is suffering from falling volume sales in 2024, following on from a trend set the previous year. Competition is intense and brands are responding by investing in value-added benefits such as organic and/or plant-based ingredients in order to drive value sales. While organic is struggling in some other packaged food categories, it is faring well in baby food with organic products gaining shelf space in retailers; some brands, such as

Baby food in Canada is projected to see a further strong decline in retail volume sales over 2024. While Canada is witnessing a slowdown in the rate of inflation, baby food, led by milk formula, is set to post a further double-digit rise in the average retail current unit price in 2024. Although the recall impact is subsiding, milk formula, and other types of baby food, continues to be characterised by high and rising prices. During 2024, milk formula is registering one of the highest price incr

In 2024, baby food in Kenya is projected to see a moderate increase in retail volume growth, yet a double-digit rise in retail current value sales. This performance is informed by still high inflation and a strong rise in the average retail current unit price. While the birth rate is on a gradual downward trajectory, it is set to be largely stable in 2024. The category remains underdeveloped as traditional baby food is still preferred by low-income and rural consumers. Importantly, there is stil

In spite of continuing high inflation, baby food in Uzbekistan is expected to register both healthy constant value and volume growth. An increasing birth rate, as well as positive economic growth, support volume sales. Value sales of baby food are nearly equally divided between dried baby food and prepared baby food, though the latter is expected to register the highest value growth. Milk formula also accounts for most value sales. In terms of products, value sales for liquid formula are negligi

Baby food in Malaysia is affected by retail unit price surges in 2024 due to increases in production and operational costs of imported and locally produced baby food since 2023. This has seen substitution with home-cooked food, which is impeding the demand for dried baby food, prepared baby food and “other” baby food at the end of the review period. Parents have focused more on the nutrients from milk formula and some prefer to cook soft foods (grains, mashed fruits and vegetables) at home for t

Baby food sales in Slovakia continue to be influenced by economic pressures in 2024, with retail volume remaining in a slight negative slump and with retail value better supported by high prices. However, we also note that consumers are less willing to compromise on the quality of the products they purchase for their infants, thus, instead of trading down, consumers are seeking price promotions and discounts from brands they know and trust. This has also led to a degree of stockpiling in some in

The rising cost of living have made Cameroonians highly price sensitive. With imported baby food dominating the market and with the escalating cost of wheat, a critical element for making infant cereals, the price of dried baby food soared towards the end of the review period. However, prices have since begun declining as wheat prices have stabilised in the international market, with retail volume sales of dried baby food seeing a return to growth in 2024 as a result. Sales of dried baby food ha

Despite the declining birth rate in Serbia, the sales of baby food continue to grow both in volume and value terms in 2024. The category of baby formula, particularly those designed for infants from birth to six months, holds the largest market share. Consumers demonstrate strong brand loyalty, which allows the major brands to maintain their dominant positions and significant volume shares. The 800g packaging size remains the most popular among consumers. As babies reach the age of six months, m

Affordability continues to challenge household budgets with consumers having less money to spend on groceries. Buying speciality products such as milk formula and other types of baby food in South Africa is unaffordable for many and those who could previously buy these items, now find themselves looking for cheaper alternatives. The average unit price of baby food increased by 11% in 2023, followed by another 11% rise in the first half of 2024, resulting in local consumers trading down or exitin

Despite the Philippines demonstrating a declining birth rate in the past decade, baby food remained resilient in the review period, with incumbent players maintaining stable distribution and above-the-line marketing to fuel moderate growth. The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) in the Philippines has taken steps to encourage Filipinos to carry out family planning through increased access to family planning services and education. Moreover, the growing population of urbanised adults

Sales of milk formula in Tunisia have continued to decline in retail volume terms in 2024, continuing the pattern seen throughout the review period. Several factors are behind this ongoing decline. First, there was a significant rise in the prices of milk formula products in 2023, and further prices hikes have been observed in 2024 as Tunisia continues to tackle high inflation. These price rises have encouraged the smuggling of milk formula and baby food products in general from Algeria which ar

2024 is the Year of the Dragon in Taiwan. According to tradition, whenever it is the Year of the Dragon, the birth rate in Taiwan tends to increase, because Taiwanese parents generally believe that people born under the dragon sign are said to be luckier, intelligent, and successful. While the number of newborns traditionally increases during the Year of the Dragon compared with other years, it is important to notice that this boom in “Dragon babies” has been shrinking in the past few decades, a

Health and beauty specialists have increasingly become the preferred retail channel for baby food in Pakistan in 2024. Their reputation for offering high-quality, health-oriented products resonates with the priorities of parents who are keen to provide the best nutrition for their children. These retailers stock a diverse array of baby food products, including organic and specialised dietary options, which particularly appeal to health-conscious consumers. The focus on quality and health benefit

The average retail current unit price of baby food in Turkey continues to spike in 2024. Baby food is, therefore, less affordable during a period of very high inflation in Turkey. This is causing sharp increases in retail current value growth, but restricting retail volume growth across baby food, as some parents with less purchasing power shift to home-made food. However, in many cases, baby food is regarded as a must-have option. Given lifestyle norms, many consumers cannot stop buying baby fo

Baby food in Germany is characterised by stagnation, with retail volumes recording marginal growth in 2024. One notable exception to this trend is powder special milk formula, which is experiencing above-average growth, and stands out as a bright spot in an otherwise flat category. Firstly, Germany’s birth rate is relatively low and declining, limiting the natural expansion in the local market. Additionally, many parents are increasingly turning towards homemade baby food options, driven by a de

Baby food is expected to register moderate constant value and volume growth in Guatemala in 2024, with a high birth rate also supporting volume sales. Offerings of milk formula continue to expand and become more segmented, including catering for babies with specific intolerances. However, this is mainly focused at higher income consumers. A recent milk formula launch was Similac Rice for babies that are allergic to cow’s milk. The rice is an extensively hydrolysed rice protein that contains no c

The ethnic Chinese majority in Singapore, which accounts for around three quarters of the population, has the belief that children born during the auspicious zodiac Year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac calendar will harbour beneficial traits and qualities. As 2024 is a Dragon Year, this is likely to cause a spike in the number of births. Therefore, milk formula is expected to see a slight boost to its retail volume sales in Singapore in 2024 – especially standard milk formula – and growth is