Food Cultures Market Report 2025

This Food Cultures market report provides a comprehensive analysis of the market’s characteristics, size, and growth, including segmentation, regional and country-level breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends, and strategies. It also tracks historical and forecasted market growth across various geographies.

The food cultures market size has grown exponentially in recent years. It will grow from $8.93 billion in 2024 to $12.08 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing food scarcity, prices and insufficient supply of food in many regions, increasing demand for immune-boosting products, increase the focus on food safety and infant formula, and increase in the food borne diseases.

The food cultures market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $40.06 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing the demand for food products, increasing globalization of food culture, increase the shelf life of food products, increase in demand for food, and increase consumption of meat and meat products. Major trends in the forecast period include plant-based and vegan foods, sustainability and eco-consciousness, adventurous and playful flavors, trend support local and seasonal foods, growing interest in preserving and celebrating culinary traditions from various cultures.

The increase in foodborne diseases is expected to drive growth in the food culture market. These diseases result from consuming contaminated food or drink, causing symptoms that can range from mild discomfort to severe illness. Factors contributing to the prevalence of foodborne diseases include inadequate personal hygiene, improper temperature control, and cross-contamination with contaminated equipment. Food cultures (FC) play a crucial role in enhancing the sensory characteristics of fermented foods such as flavor, color, and texture. They also help extend food shelf-life by displacing spoilage microbes, thus reducing food waste and the risk of foodborne illnesses. For example, in December 2023, the European Food Safety Authority reported a significant increase in foodborne outbreaks across the EU in 2022 compared to the previous year, underscoring the growing importance of food safety in driving the food culture market.

Leading companies in the food cultures market are innovating with products such as the VEGA Culture Kit to offer consumers convenient, high-quality solutions for cultivating diverse food cultures. Developed specifically for fermented plant-based yogurt alternatives, the VEGA Culture Kit includes customizable starter cultures, probiotics, and bioprotective strains. For instance, Chr. Hansen launched the VEGA SAFEPRO Range in April 2022 for plant-based meat alternatives. This kit supports robust fermentation of various plant bases such as nuts, cereals, legumes, and seeds, allowing plant-based innovators to create unique products in taste, texture, health, and sustainability. The VEGA SAFEPRO cultures, used alone or in combination, help control unwanted microorganisms such as lactic acid bacteria, pathogens, yeast, and mold in plant-based meat products.

In March 2023, Novozymes, a Denmark-based biotechnology company, completed the acquisition of Chr. Hansen for $12.3 billion. This transformative acquisition resulted in the formation of Novonesis, a biotech powerhouse combining complementary capabilities. The merger positions the new entity to lead innovation and sustainability efforts in the ingredients and solutions markets. Chr. Hansen, also based in Denmark, specializes in bioscience, particularly known for its offerings in food cultures.

Major companies operating in the food cultures market are Associated British Foods PLC, International Flavours&Fragrances Inc., Kerry Group PLC, Givaudan SA, Angel Yeast Co.Ltd., Corbion NV, Lallemand Inc., Chr.Hansen Holding A/, The TATUA Co-operative Dairy Company Ltd., Cargill Incorporated, Meat Cracks Technologie GmbH, CSK Food Erichment B.V, Azuma Foods International Inc., LB Bulgaricum Ltd., Wyeast Laboratories Inc, E&Olaboratories Ltd., Sacco Srl, Dalton Biotechnologie S.r.l, The Cultured Food Company, Lactina Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the food cultures market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the food cultures market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the food cultures market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Food cultures are defined as specific strains of microorganisms deliberately introduced into food during processing to achieve desired characteristics. They play a crucial role in both traditional and industrial food production by enhancing sensory attributes, aiding preservation, and bolstering the nutritional value of fermented and non-fermented foods.

The main categories of food cultures include starter cultures, protective cultures, and probiotic cultures. Starter cultures consist of abundant live microorganisms, comprising either a single strain or a combination of multiple strains, intentionally added to foods to leverage the compounds or products resulting from their metabolic or enzymatic activity. These microorganisms encompass bacteria, yeast, and mold, each serving distinct functions such as flavor enhancement, preservation, texture modification, among others. Their applications span a wide range including dairy products, meat, beverages, and beyond.

The food cultures market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides food cultures market statistics, including food cultures industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a food cultures market share, detailed food cultures market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the food culture industry. This food cultures research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The food cultures market consists of sales of lactic acid bacteria, fungus, and enzymes. 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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