Dairy Ingredients Market Report 2026

The dairy ingredients market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $80.38 billion in 2025 to $86.72 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in traditional dairy consumption, rising demand for bakery and confectionery applications, increased usage of milk powder in food processing, expansion of infant nutrition markets, early adoption of whey-based formulations.

The dairy ingredients market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $120.74 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for functional and fortified foods, rising adoption of membrane separation technologies, increasing focus on protein-rich diets, expansion of sports and medical nutrition sectors, growing use of dairy alternatives requiring complementary dairy ingredients. Major trends in the forecast period include rising demand for high-protein dairy ingredients, growing preference for lactose-free and fortified dairy products, expansion of clean-label and natural ingredient formulations, increasing use of dairy ingredients in functional and sports nutrition, greater adoption of advanced processing methods for ingredient purity.

The growing health concerns among consumers are contributing to the expansion of the dairy ingredients market. Health-conscious individuals are increasingly incorporating dietary and health products into their routines to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Awareness of diet-related conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease is rising, making consumers more attentive to the nutritional quality and safety of the foods they consume. This increased focus on health supports the dairy ingredients market by boosting demand for nutrient-rich, high-quality, and functional foods, as dairy ingredients provide essential proteins, vitamins, and minerals that align with healthier dietary choices. For example, in June 2024, an online survey of 3,000 Americans conducted by the International Food Information Council (IFIC), a US-based non-profit organization offering science-based information on food safety, nutrition, and health, reported that 54% of respondents followed a healthy diet or eating pattern in 2024, up from 52% in 2023. Consequently, the rise in health concerns is expected to drive the growth of the dairy ingredients market.

Major players in the dairy ingredient market are concentrating on advancing separation and fat reduction technologies to tackle challenges related to the supply of raw materials. Fat reduction technology refers to innovative methods that lower fat content in dairy products while preserving taste and texture, often through the controlled aggregation of milk proteins to replicate the properties of fat. For instance, in July 2024, Nestlé, a Switzerland-based food and beverage company, introduced a new fat-reduction solution for two of its milk brands, representing its latest innovation in the dairy sector. This breakthrough involves controlling the aggregation of milk proteins to imitate the size and texture of milk fat, resulting in lower calorie levels compared to full-fat milk. The technology is being implemented in Nestlé's Ninho and Nido powdered milk brands. Additionally, the company has introduced an enzymatic process to reduce intrinsic sugars in key ingredients, along with a proprietary micro-aeration technology that enhances the creaminess of chocolate while aligning with consumer taste preferences.

In November 2024, Arla Foods Ingredients P/S, a Denmark-based dairy company, acquired Volac’s Whey Nutrition business for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Arla Foods Ingredients P/S aims to increase its whey production capacity, enhance its supply chain, and cater to the rising demand for whey protein, particularly in the health and sports nutrition sectors. The acquisition also enables the company to provide high-quality ingredients to manufacturers and support innovation in nutritional products. Volac Whey Nutrition Limited, based in the UK, specializes in manufacturing dairy ingredients.

Major companies operating in the dairy ingredients market are Fonterra Co-operative Group, Dairy Farmers of America, Groupe Lactalis, Agropur Dairy Cooperative, Saputo Inc, Arla Foods, Sodiaal Group, Glanbia PLC, Kerry Group, Milk Specialties, Pacific Dairy Ingredients, ProviCo, Amul, Pacific Dairy, China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited, Milk Powder Co. Ltd, China Shengmu Organic Milk Limited, Mother Dairy, Kwality Limited, Dynamix Dairy, AAVIN, MILMA, Dudhsagar Dairy, Bates Dairy, Meadow Foods, Dale Farm, Yeo Valley, Glanbia Cheese, Lactalis International, Danone S.A, Savencia Fromage & Dairy, Dutch Dairy Center, Holland Dairy Star BV, Bel Group, J.N Dairies, Carron Lodge Ltd, County Milk Products Ltd, Molvest, Rusmolco, Gabrovo Milk Ltd, JOSSI Ltd, Kondov Ecoproductia, Lactalis, Nestlé, Danone North America, Schreiber Foods, Prairie Farms Dairy Inc, California Dairies Inc, GLORIA SA, NESTLE PERU SA, SANCOR Cooperativas Unidas Limitada, Italac, Piracanjuba, La Serenisima, Colun, Ilolay, Al Safi Danone Ltd, Nada Dairy, Nadec, Saudia Dairy and Foodstuff Company (Sadfco), Ornua, Danya Foods Ltd, Almarai, Pinar Dairy Food Co, Friesland Arabia Ltd, Tara Dairy, Arla Food Inc, Dano Milk Nigeria, Fan Milk Plc, FrieslandCampina, Bandini Cheese (Pty) Ltd, Clover SA (Pty) Ltd, Coega Dairy (Pty) Ltd, Danone Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd, Darling Romery (Pty) Ltd, Denmar Estates (Pty) Ltd, The Arab Dairy Products Co, Brego Food Industries.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs on milk powders, whey proteins, and other processed dairy ingredients have increased production and import costs, particularly impacting regions dependent on cross-border dairy trade such as Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. Segments including sports nutrition, infant formula, and bakery applications face pricing pressure due to higher raw material costs. However, tariffs may encourage domestic dairy ingredient manufacturing, stimulate investment in advanced processing technologies, and support regional supply chain resilience in the long run.

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

Dairy ingredients encompass substances utilized in the production of dairy goods or as constituent elements for items derived from milk. These ingredients consist of milk, yogurt, cheese, lactose-free milk, fortified soy milk, and related products. Excluded are dairy items high in fat and low in calcium content, such as cream cheese, sour cream, cream, and butter.

The primary types of dairy ingredients include milk powder, whey protein, milk protein, third-generation ingredients, casein, buttermilk powder, whey permeate, and lactose. Milk powder is created by evaporating the water content of milk, resulting in a dry substance. Whole milk powder typically contains 26% to 40% milk fat and no more than 5% moisture on a milk solids-not-fat basis. Sources of different dairy ingredients include milk and whey, available in both powder and liquid forms. Diverse production methods for dairy ingredients include traditional processes and membrane separation. These methods find application in various sectors such as dairy products, convenience foods, bakery and confectionery, instant milk formula, sports nutrition, medical nutrition, animal nutrition, and other relevant industries.Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the dairy ingredients market in 2025. The regions covered in the dairy ingredients market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the dairy ingredients market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The dairy ingredients market consists of sales of butter, cheese, ice cream, yogurt, and condensed and dried milk. 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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