Edible Vaccine Market Report 2026

The edible vaccine market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $9.51 billion in 2025 to $10.35 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to progress in genetic engineering techniques, early research in transgenic plants for vaccines, expansion of public health immunization programs, increasing funding for alternative vaccine platforms, initial clinical validation studies.

The edible vaccine market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $14.54 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for needle-free vaccination solutions, rising investments in edible vaccine clinical trials, expansion of livestock immunization programs, growing focus on global vaccine accessibility, advancements in regulatory approval pathways. Major trends in the forecast period include advancements in plant-based vaccine expression systems, growing focus on oral vaccine delivery methods, expansion of low-cost vaccine production models, increasing research on heat-stable vaccines, rising collaboration between biotech and agricultural sectors.

The rising prevalence of infectious diseases is expected to drive the growth of the edible vaccine market going forward. Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites that enter the body and multiply. The increasing incidence of these diseases is largely attributed to factors including globalization, climate change, urbanization, and growing antibiotic resistance, all of which contribute to the spread and emergence of new pathogens. Edible vaccines are used to address infectious diseases by triggering immune responses through the consumption of genetically modified foods that express antigens, providing a cost-effective and needle-free approach to immunization. For example, in March 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a US-based public health agency, tuberculosis cases increased from 8,320 in 2022 to 9,615 in 2023, reflecting a rise of 1,295 cases. Additionally, the incidence rate per 100,000 people increased from 2.5 in 2022 to 2.9 in 2023. Therefore, the growing prevalence of infectious diseases is fueling the expansion of the edible vaccine market.

The increase in research and development funding is also expected to propel the growth of the edible vaccine market going forward. Research and development funding refers to financial investments dedicated to systematic research and experimental activities aimed at generating new knowledge and developing innovative technologies or products. Governments worldwide are increasing their investment in research and development as they recognize the importance of scientific innovation in tackling global health challenges and maintaining competitiveness in the biotechnology sector. Higher levels of research funding enable researchers and pharmaceutical companies to advance edible vaccine development, conduct clinical trials, and scale up production processes. For instance, in December 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics, a UK-based government agency, businesses in the UK spent $64.73 billion (£50 billion) on research and development in 2023, representing a 2.9% increase, or $1.83 billion (£1.4 billion), compared with 2022. Therefore, rising investment in research and development is contributing to the growth of the edible vaccine market.

Companies operating in the edible vaccine market are increasingly focused on developing innovative solutions, such as oral cholera vaccines, to address the global burden of cholera. Oral cholera vaccines are administered by mouth and are designed to prevent cholera, a severe diarrheal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. For example, in August 2024, Bharat Biotech International Limited, an India-based biotechnology company, introduced Hillchol, an oral cholera vaccine with several distinctive features. This live-attenuated vaccine stimulates both systemic and mucosal immune responses, offering protection against cholera. Hillchol is notable for its ease of administration and its ability to be stored without refrigeration, making it particularly suitable for deployment in resource-limited regions. In addition, it provides long-lasting immunity with a single dose.

Major companies operating in the edible vaccine market are Medicago Inc., Vaxart Inc., Vaxiion Therapeutics Inc., Mymetics Corporation, Profectus BioSciences Inc., GreenLight Biosciences Inc., Akston Biosciences Corporation, Icon Genetics GmbH, iBio Inc., Kentucky BioProcessing Inc., Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology, Nomad Bioscience GmbH, Baiya Phytopharm Company Limited, Dow AgroSciences LLC, GenCure Biomanufacturing, Transgene SA, PlantForm Corporation, BioBetter Ltd., Moolec Science SA, Agrenvec SL.

North America was the largest region in the edible vaccine market in 2025. The regions covered in the edible vaccine market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the edible vaccine market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The edible vaccine market consists of sales of plant-based edible vaccines, animal-based edible vaccines, algae-based edible vaccines, and yeast-based edible vaccines. 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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