Reduced Lactose Whey Global Market Report 2024

The reduced lactose whey market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $12.92 billion in 2023 to $14.33 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.9%. The growth observed in the historic period can be attributed to several factors, including the increasing awareness of lactose intolerance among consumers, a rise in the prevalence of lactose intolerance cases, greater accessibility to reduced lactose products, government regulations mandating the labeling of lactose content, and the overall expansion of the dairy industry. These factors collectively contributed to the growth trajectory during this period.

The reduced lactose whey market size is expected to see grown rapidly in the next few years. It will grow to $21.77 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be attributed to several key factors, including the increasing prevalence of lactose intolerance, the expansion of the sports nutrition and functional foods markets, a rising adoption of specialized diets, a surge in research and development activities, and the growth of the infant formula market. Major trends expected during this period include a heightened demand for reduced lactose whey products, the expansion of functional foods, innovation in sports nutrition offerings, the diversification of product lines, and the widening of distribution channels to reach a broader consumer base. These trends are likely to drive growth and innovation within the reduced lactose whey market.

The increasing adoption of plant-based diets is set to drive the growth of the reduced-lactose whey market in the coming years. A plant-based diet emphasizes foods derived from plants, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes, while minimizing or excluding animal products. This dietary shift is gaining traction due to rising awareness of environmental sustainability, health benefits, and ethical concerns regarding animal welfare. Reduced lactose whey, a high-quality protein source, is gaining popularity in plant-based diets as it offers a dairy-free option for individuals looking to supplement their protein intake while reducing lactose consumption. For example, in January 2023, the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) reported a 6.6% sales growth in plant-based foods in 2022, up from 5.9% in 2021. Notably, plant-based creamer, the third-largest category, witnessed a 24% revenue increase and a 12% rise in sales volume. This surge in plant-based diet adoption is a key driver of the reduced-lactose whey market's expansion.

Leading companies in the reduced lactose whey market are diversifying their product offerings to meet the evolving demands of vegan and plant-based consumers. They are introducing innovative products like animal-free whey protein, derived from whey without animal involvement. Precision fermentation, using genetically engineered microbes like fungi in bioreactors, is utilized to produce this animal-free whey protein. For instance, in June 2022, Strive Nutrition launched a range of milk alternatives fortified with animal-free whey protein, aiming to replicate cow's milk taste and nutrition without the associated health and environmental concerns. Strive FREEMILK, an animal-free whey protein, is lactose-free and free from hormones, antibiotics, and cholesterol. It offers 25% more protein, 75% less sugar, and reduced saturated fat compared to traditional whole cow's milk.

In December 2022, Butterfly Equity LLC completed the acquisition of Milk Specialties Global, a move aimed at expanding its footprint in the food and beverage industry, particularly in processing raw dairy inputs into value-added functional ingredients for nutrition markets. Milk Specialties Global, a US-based producer of whey and milk protein ingredients for health and wellness, complements Butterfly Equity's strategic goals in the nutrition sector.

Major companies operating in the reduced lactose whey market are Fonterra Inc., Land O'Lakes Inc., Tetra Pak International SA, Dana Foods Inc., Agropur Inc., Glanbia plc, Leprino Foods Company, Organic Valley, Hilmar Cheese Company Inc., Carbery Group, Volac International Limited, Westland Co-operative Dairy Company Limited, Graham Chemical Corporation, Davisco Foods International Inc., Interfood Inc., Redwood Hill Farm, MCT Dairies Inc., Idaho Milk Products Inc., Wapsie Valley Creamery Inc., Erie Foods International Inc., Grande Cheese Company, AMCO Proteins Company, Wheyco GmbH, Agri Dairy Products Inc.

Europe was the largest region in the reduced lactose whey market in 2023. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the reduced lactose whey market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the reduced lactose whey market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Reduced lactose whey is a variant of whey protein that has undergone a process to decrease its lactose content. Whey, the liquid remaining after milk has been curdled and strained, comprises various proteins such as lactoglobulin and lactalbumin, alongside some lactose and other nutrients.

The primary types of reduced lactose whey include organic reduced lactose whey and conventional reduced lactose whey. Organic reduced lactose whey pertains to products derived from organically sourced milk, wherein the lactose content has been minimized. Extraction methods may involve precipitation, filtration, and dialysis, catering to end users across sectors like food and beverages, nutraceuticals, as well as household and retail applications.

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

The reduced lactose whey market consists of sales of ultrafiltrate whey, microfiltered whey, hydrolyzed whey, and lactose-free whey. 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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