Global Enteral Feeding Formulas Market: Fastest growth in the future owing to the growing demand for technologically advanced products.

Published Date: 11/05/2021

The global enteral feeding formulas market is valued at USD 5.95 billion by 2020 and is projected to reach USD 9.26 Billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 7.6 % from 2020 to 2027.The global enteral feeding formula market is growing due to rising chronic diseases and disorders, rapidly increasing geriatric population, rising prevalence of premature birth, high health care expenses, and high demand for home care. Chronic diseases such as cancer, the second most leading cause of death globally, accounted for 8.8 million deaths in 2015. According to the WHO, approximately 70% of deaths from cancer occur in low- and middle-income countries. However, various factors such as patient safety risk, complications associated with enteral feedings, and incidence of medication and feeding errors act as restraints of the enteral feeding formula market.

Moreover, the enteral food segment is currently in the uncharted or unexplored well as compared to the oral food segment because of its lower penetration, especially among the geriatric and paediatric patient population. However, this route is expected to witness the fastest growth in the future owing to the growing demand for technologically advanced products, including enteral feeding pumps, used for delivering medical foods. Companies are increasingly focusing on enhancing patient mobility and safety through these enteral feeding devices. Moreover, growing awareness amongst the patients and physicians regarding available options in the market makes it more convenient in choosing the appropriate route of nutrient administration based on varying patient requirements.

In addition, the risk of malnutrition and frailty among the geriatric population with comorbidities, such as stroke, depression, diabetes, and dementia, is much higher mainly owing to various age-related changes in body composition and muscle mass. This result in reduced ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), thereby increases the risk of fall or injuries. Therefore, it is important to analyze the pathophysiology behind the condition (nutritional deficiency). According to an NCBI article published in 2018, the prevalence of nutrient deficiency in the geriatric population is nearly 15% in ambulatory outpatients, 35% to 65% among hospitalized patients, and 20% to 60% in institutionalized patients. Thus, healthcare professionals are maximizing options of Enteral Nutrition (EN) in the elderly population, which is expected to boost market growth.

However, general lack of awareness and understanding regarding clinical nutrition in the medical community is limiting its adoption. Clinical nutrition requires prescription and supervision by medical professionals. Although these products are gaining acceptance, they remain poorly understood by patients, physicians, and pharmacists. This factor prevents doctors from adopting or prescribing clinical nutrition, which may restrain the growth of the market. Furthermore, not all medical experts are convinced that clinical nutrition assists in chronic disease management, which is expected to impede the growth of the market.

Some of the prominent players in the global enteral feeding formulas market are Abbott Laboratories (U.S.), Nestlé S.A. (Switzerland), Danone S.A. (France), Fresenius Kabi AG (Germany), Mead Johnson Nutrition Company (U.S.), B. Braun Melsungen AG (Germany), Hormel Foods, LLC (U.S.), Victus Inc. (U.S.), Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd. (Japan), and Global Health Product Inc. (U.S.).

Geographically, the market in North America and Europe is growing at a significant rate owing to the rising geriatric population along with increasing incidences of chronic diseases and disorders, increasing healthcare expenditure, and increasing demand for homecare in these regions. The Asia-Pacific region however is expected to become the growth center for the enteral feeding formulas market. The market in Japan, China, and India is likely to witness significant growth during the forecast period, owing to the presence of a large patient pool for chronic diseases and disorders, high incidences of preterm births, growing healthcare expenditure, rapidly developing healthcare infrastructure, increasing per capita income, growing middle-class population, and growing population in these countries.