Dairy Ingredients Market Size to Climb to USD 83.39 Bn in 2025

Dairy Ingredients Market Grows on Clean Label Demand and Functional Nutrition Trends

The global dairy ingredients market size is expected to grow from USD XXX billion in 2025 to USD 150.75 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 6.8% over the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. Rising demand for high-protein foods, growing use in infant formula, sports nutrition, and bakery products, and the increasing popularity of clean-label and functional ingredients are key factors driving market growth.

Last Updated: 11 July 2025 Category: Food & Beverages Ingredients Insight Code: 5712 Format: PDF / PPT / Excel

Dairy Ingredients Market Size, Share and Future Opportunities

The global dairy ingredients market size valued at USD 78.08 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to increase from USD 83.39 billion in 2025 to an estimated USD 150.75 billion by 2034, witnessing a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. The increasing consumer preference towards healthier and natural food options drives the growth of the market. 

Dairy Ingredients Market Size 2025 to 2034

Key Highlights

  • By region, Asia Pacific dominated the market by holding a market share in 2024, due to the increasing consumer changing lifestyles.  
  • By region, North America is expected to grow at a notable CAGR from 2025 to 2034 during the forecast period, which is driven by increasing demand for dairy products.   
  • By ingredient, the milk powders segment held a major market share in 2024, driven by increasing demand for dairy-based desserts. 
  • By ingredient, the functional and dairy ingredients segment is projected to grow at a CAGR between 2025 and 2034, driven by the increasing demand for bakery items.  
  • By source type, the cow milk segment dominated the market share in 2024, due to the increasing demand for nutritional products. 
  • By source type, the buffalo milk segment is expected to grow rapidly, due to increasing awareness towards health and well-being. 
  • By form, the powder segment dominated the market share in 2024, due to the increasing demand for powder-based ingredients.  
  • By form, the liquid segment is expected to grow rapidly due to the increasing demand in the beverage industry. 
  • By functionality, the emulsification segment dominated the market share in 2024, due to the increasing demand for processed food. 
  • By functionality, the thickening and gelling segment is expected to grow rapidly, due to the increasing consumer preference towards sustainability.  
  • By application, the bakery and confectionery segment contributed the biggest market share in 2024, due to the increasing consumer preference for bakery items. 
  • By application, the dairy products segment is expanding at a significant CAGR between 2025 and 2034, due to the increasing demand for cakes and pastries. 
  • By end-use, the food and beverage segment dominated the market share in 2024, driven by the growing food and beverage industry.   
  • By end-use, the nutraceuticals segment is expected to grow fastest during the forecast period, driven by the increasing consumer awareness towards health and wellness.

Industry Coverage

Study Coverage Details
Growth Rate from 2025 to 2034 CAGR of 6.8%
Market Size in 2025 USD 83.39 Billion
Market Size in 2026 USD 89.06 Billion
Market Size by 2034 USD 150.75 Billion
Largest Market Asia Pacific
Base Year 2024
Forecast Period 2025 to 2034
Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa

The Increasing Role of Dairy Ingredients in Nutraceutical, Food, and Beverage Industries Enhances Consumer Experience

The global dairy ingredients market comprises a wide range of products derived from milk that are used as essential components in food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals. These ingredients, processed from raw milk, include proteins, lactose, casein, milk powder, and whey derivatives. They serve functional roles such as thickening, emulsification, gel formation, and nutritional enrichment across industries. 

One of the major driving factors enhancing the growth of the market is the increasing demand for alternative plant Protein. As consumers are increasingly aware of animal health and well-being, the demand for plant-based food alternatives is increasing among consumers. Plant-based dairy ingredient alternatives such as whipped cream, cheese analogs, non-dairy ice creams, almond milk and soy milk are increasingly shifting into the mainstream retail market, due to the perception towards plant-based products which are safer and healthier, which are further expected to enhance the growth of the market during the forecast period.

  • Increasing consumer awareness: The increasing consumer awareness towards health encourages processors to focus on high-quality dairy ingredients and product innovation, which contributes to propelling market growth. 
  • Rising Technological Advancements: The rising technological advancements in dairy ingredients may enhance sustainability, product quality, and production efficiency, which is further expected to drive the growth of the market, may enhance sustainability, product quality, and production efficiency, which is further expected to drive the growth of the dairy ingredients market. 
  • Expansion of e-commerce platforms: The rising expansion of e-commerce platforms provides convenience, distribution channels, and home delivery, which is further expected to enhance global market growth.

Market Opportunity

The Integration of Artificial Intelligence

The integration of artificial intelligence is transforming several sectors, and the dairy ingredients industry is no exception, which may create significant opportunities. To improve operations and boost productivity, AI provides practical solutions for dairy products. By integrating AI-generated analytics, manufacturers can prevent diseases such as disease outbreaks and make informed decisions. Robotic milking systems use AI to identify cows, attach milking units, and collect data on milk yield.

To navigate various challenges, dairy farmers are integrating advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence. The entire dairy value chain is experiencing remarkable enhancements in productivity and efficiency by leveraging AI’s potential. By reducing transportation costs and waste, AI enhances a more sustainable industry. These factors are expected to revolutionize the growth of the dairy ingredients market in the coming years.

Market Challenge

Quality Control and Milk Spoilage

One of the major restraining factors hindering market growth is milk spoilage and quality control, which may create major challenges in the supply chain. Due to microbial contamination, inadequate refrigeration, and poor storage conditions, milk spoilage is a major challenging factor. In addition, the lack of cold chain infrastructure and high energy consumption in dairy procedures are also major factors, which are expected to restrain the growth of the dairy ingredients market.

Regional Insights

How Asia Pacific Dominates the Market Revenue in 2024?

Asia Pacific dominated the dairy ingredients market in 2024. The market growth in the region is attributed to the increasing demand for dairy ingredients, increasing demand for dairy products, such as buttermilk, yogurt, butter, cheese, and more, increasing consumer preference towards food and hotel, rising innovation in dairy products, growing rapid urbanization, and growing population across the globe. China, India, Japan, and South Korea are dominating countries driving the market growth.

India dominated the market in 2024, driven by increasing consumer preference towards Indian cuisine and cultural preferences. India is the largest country in the food and beverage industry, with increasing disposable incomes and increasing demand for various segments, such as dairy product manufacturing, confectionery, and bakery. In India, dairy is a significant part of daily meals. There are various dairy ingredients used in daily needs, such as ghee, curd, buttermilk, and paneer. Paneer helps in easing muscle and reducing cardiac dysfunctions, which further increases the demand for dairy ingredients in India. 

  • The bread production has been recorded as 3.75 million tons, and biscuits production is estimated at 1.95 million tons, which is further rising at 6% growth rate per year in 2024 in India, which further accelerates the market demand in India.

North America Global Market Trends

North America is expected to grow fastest during the forecast period. The market growth in the region is driven by the increasing adoption of convenience foods, increasing consumer trend towards preferences and tastes, rising technological advancements in dairy processing, increasing consumer preference towards protein-rich diets, and increasing demand for natural and nutritious food options. The U.S. and Canada are the fastest growing countries, propelling the dairy ingredients market in the region.

The U.S. is expected to grow fastest during the forecast period. The market growth in the U.S. is driven by the increasing demand for cheese and butter, increasing demand for bakery products, and increasing consumer busy and modern lifestyles. For instance, in 2023, the per capita consumption of dairy products reached 661 pounds per person and increased by 7 pounds, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Butter has also seen a significant growth in the U.S., which further drives the market growth.

Segmental Insights

Type of Ingredient Insights

How Milk Powder Segment Dominates Dairy Ingredients Market Revenue in 2024?

The milk powder segment dominated the dairy ingredients market in 2024. The segment growth in the market is attributed to the various benefits, such as supporting healthy weight maintenance, offering a cost-effective and easy-to-make alternative to milk, increasing demand for on-the-go food options, helping to support heart health, and providing bone-building nutrients. Milk powder can enhance the taste of experience of any delight, especially in bakery products, which may drive the segment growth in the global market.

The functional dairy ingredients segment is expected to grow fastest during the forecast period. The segment growth in the market is driven by the increasing demand for functional food and beverages, increasing consumer preference towards clean-label and organic food products, and increasing demand for sports nutrition and fitness.

Source Insights

Why the Cow Milk Segment Held the Largest Dairy Ingredients Market Revenue in 2024?

The cow milk segment dominated the market in 2024. The segment growth in the global market is attributed to the various health-related benefits, such as improving the immune system, enhancing skin health, supporting brain health, improving hydration, helping in weight management, supporting heart health, boosting muscle repair and growth, and promoting strong bones.

The Buffalo Milk Segment is Expected to Grow Fastest During the Forecast Period. 

The segment growth in the global dairy ingredients market is driven by the increasing demand for value-added dairy products, increasing demand for traditional dairy products, and increasing preference towards nutritional products. India is the largest producer of Buffalo milk. There is about 239.30 million tonnes of milk production in India in 2023-24, which is expected to accelerate the segment demand.

Form Insights

What Factors Help the Powder Segment Grow Significantly in 2024?

The powder segment dominated the dairy ingredients market in 2024. The powder segment plays a crucial role in dairy products. It helps in achieving lightness and volume in baked products. In addition, there are several health benefits related to the powder segment, such as ease of use, extended shelf life, cost-effectiveness, versatility in applications, and industrial preference, which is further expected to enhance the segment growth in the global market.

The Liquid Segment is Expected to Grow Fastest During the Forecast Period. 

The liquid segment includes several dairy ingredients such as packaged dairy food products, frozen or chilled dough, pancake and waffle batters and batters, and ready-to-cook premixes. Various creams or egg whites can create foam through mechanical action, which makes various types of bakery products. In addition, increasing demand for clean-label and natural products, increasing consumer preference towards frozen and ready-to-cook premix, an increase in dairy food services, and increasing urbanization which further expected to accelerate the demand for the liquid segment in the global market.

Functionality Insights

How Emulsification Segment Dominates Global Dairy Ingredients Market Revenue in 2024?

The emulsification segment dominated the dairy ingredients market in 2024. The segment growth in the global market is driven by the increasing demand for convenience and processed food, increasing demand for clean-label and natural food products, and expansion in fortified and functional products. In addition, dairy emulsification provides essential functionality in soft serve and ice cream, and coffee whiteners. These solutions help with water-holding capacity, texture, stability, and fat dispersion, which are further expected to enhance segment growth in the global market.

The Thickening and Gelling Segment is Expected to Grow Fastest During the Forecast Period. 

Thickening and gelling agents play an important role in various industries, especially in dairy products. Beverage thickeners have various benefits in dairy beverages, such as helping to make dairy beverages look better and taste, having a good stabilizing effect, interacting with milk proteins, interacting with emulsifiers, and increasing the viscosity, which further drives the demand for the thickening and gelling segment in the global market.

Application Insights

How did the Bakery & Confectionery Segment hold the Largest Dairy Ingredients Market Revenue in 2024?

The bakery and confectionery segment dominated the dairy ingredients market in 2024. The bakery and confectionery segment deals with cakes, pastries, baked products, and other dairy products. The segment growth in the market is attributed to the increasing consumer preference towards dairy sweet food products, increasing consumer trend towards small occasions, parties, and birthdays, and increasing modern and busy lifestyles. In addition, dairy products, such as pastries and cakes, are valued at Rs. 3,295 crores in India, which may increase the demand for the bakery and confectionery segment in the market.

The dairy products segment is expected to grow fastest during the forecast period. The segment growth in the market is attributed to the increasing demand for protein-enriched food, increasing production of milk in emerging countries, increasing consumer awareness towards health and wellness, and the growing population.  

  • In May 2025, Eclipse Foods, a Californian plant-based dairy brand, launched indistinguishable, a new whole milk product from traditional animal-derived options. (Source: Plant Based News)

End-user Insights

Why does the Food & Beverage Segment Dominates Dairy Ingredients Market Revenue in 2024?

The food and beverage segment dominated the dairy ingredients market in 2024. The segment growth in the market is driven by various benefits such as providing better nutrition, supporting gut health, improving taste and texture, increasing demand for clean-label and organic products, and increasing consumer preference towards sustainable alternatives. Fermentation in food and beverages enables a wide range of tasty and functional products such as meat alternatives, probiotic drinks, sauces, protein bar, and others, which is further expected to drive the segment growth in the global market.

The Nutraceuticals Segment is Expected to Grow Fastest During the Forecast Period. 

The segment growth in the market is attributed to the various benefits, such as supporting reproductive health, manage psychological function, enhancing athletic performance, slowing down aging, boosting gut health, reducing inflammation, improving the function of the immune system, and treating and preventing chronic disease.

Recent Developments in the Dairy Ingredients Market

NAMYANG DAIRY PRODUCTS

  • Launch: In July 2025, the launch of Bulgaris sugar-free plain, a sugar-free fermented milk product, was announced by NAMYANG DAIRY PRODUCTS. This provides 90 kcal from lactose and 3.4g of sugars naturally present in raw milk. (Source: Chosun Biz EN)

Straus Family Creamery

  • Launch: In June 2024, Straus Family Creamery, a US organic dairy company, launched a new range of organic low-fat kefirs, which are packaged in reusable glass bottles and available in blueberry and plain flavors. (Source: Dairy News Today)

Dairy Ingredients Market Leading Companies

Dairy Ingredients Market Companies

Segments Covered in the Report

By Type of Ingredient 

  • Milk Powders
    • Skimmed Milk Powder (SMP)  
    • Whole Milk Powder (WMP)   
  • Whey Ingredients 
    • Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC) 
    • Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) 
  • Casein & Caseinates 
    • Rennet Casein  
    • Caseinates   
  • Lactose & Derivatives 
    • Edible Lactose 
    • Lactulose  
  • Milk Protein Concentrates (MPCs) 
    • MPC 70  
    • Micellar Casein  
  • Functional Dairy Ingredients 
    • Dairy-based Probiotics 
  • Immunoglobulins 
  • Permeates 
    • Whey Permeate
    • Milk Permeate

By Source

  • Cow Milk
    • Conventional Cow Milk 
    • Organic Cow Milk  
  • Buffalo Milk 
  • Goat Milk 
  • Sheep Milk

By Form

  • Powder
    • Spray-Dried
    • Freeze-Dried
  • Liquid
    • Concentrates
    • UHT-based Liquids

By Functionality

  • Emulsification 
    • Casein  
    • Clean Label Dairy Emulsifiers  
  • Thickening & Gelling 
    • Whey Protein  
    • Dairy Hydrocolloids  
  • Nutritional Enrichment 
    • Whey Isolates  
    • Lactoferrin, Immunoglobulins 
  • Water Binding 
    • Milk Proteins 
    • Casein Hydrolysates 
  • Texture Enhancement 
    • Casein & WPC Blends 
    • MPC + Fat Combinations 
  • Flavor Development 
    • Milk Fats
    • Butter Derivatives

By Application

  • Bakery & Confectionery
    • Cakes, Baked Goods  
    • Protein-Enriched Baked Items  
  • Infant Formula 
    • Stage 1 (0–6 months)  
    • Organic & Follow-on Formulas
  • Sports Nutrition 
    • RTD Protein Drinks  
    • Micellar Casein Powders    
  • Dairy Products 
    • Yogurt  
    • Functional Dairy Beverages    
  • Prepared Meals 
    • Soups & Sauces 
    • High-Protein Ready Meals
  • Pharmaceuticals 
    • Capsule Excipients 
    • Nutraceutical Actives (Lactoferrin) 
  • Foodservice / HoReCa 
    • Cheese Ingredients 
    • Liquid Dairy for Beverages

By End-User Industry

  • Food & Beverage 
    • Processed Food Companies 
    • Sports & Nutrition Companies 
  • Nutraceuticals - Fastest
    • Supplement Manufacturers 
    • Medical Nutrition Firms 
  • Pharmaceuticals 
    • Drug Formulators 
    • Immuno-Nutrition Solutions 
  • Cosmetics & Personal Care 
    • Skincare  
    • Baby Care 
  • Animal Feed 
    • Calf Milk Replacers 
    • Dairy Protein-Enriched Pet Food

By Region

  • North America
  • Europe
  • Asia Pacific
  • Middle East and Africa (MEA)
  • Latin America
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  • Report Covered: [Revenue + Volume]
  • Historical Year: 2021-2023
  • Base Year: 2024
  • Estimated Years: 2025-2034

Meet the Team

Vidyesh Swar, Senior Research Analyst at Towards Food & Beverages, specializes in market research, focusing on supply-demand evaluation, pricing analysis, alternative proteins, plant-based foods, and sustainable food technologies within the industry.

Learn more about Vidyesh Swar

Aditi Shivarkar, with 14+ years in Food and Beverages market research, specializes in food, beverage, and eco-friendly packaging. She ensures accurate, actionable insights, driving Towards FnB's excellence in industry trends and sustainability.

Learn more about Aditi Shivarkar

Related Insights

FAQ's

The global dairy ingredients market is expected to grow from USD 83.39 billion in 2025 to USD 150.75 billion by 2034, registering a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period.

Asia Pacific led the market in 2024, driven by high dairy consumption in India and China. North America is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR due to rising demand for protein-rich diets and processed dairy products.

Key challenges include milk spoilage, inadequate cold chain infrastructure, microbial contamination, and high energy consumption, all of which affect quality control and supply consistency.

Milk powders, particularly skimmed and whole milk powder, dominated in 2024 due to their versatility, cost-effectiveness, and widespread use in bakery and confectionery applications.

Buffalo milk is gaining traction due to its higher fat and protein content, increased awareness of its nutritional benefits, and traditional usage in key markets like India, the largest global producer of buffalo milk.

Powder forms offer extended shelf life, ease of transportation, versatility in formulations, and cost-efficiency, making them the preferred form for bakery, sports nutrition, and infant formula applications.

Key players include Arla Foods Ingredients, Fonterra, FrieslandCampina, Lactalis Ingredients, Kerry Group, Glanbia, Saputo, Agropur, and Danone. These companies are investing in R&D and product innovation to strengthen market position.

Stricter food safety standards, clean-label demands, and sustainability mandates are compelling manufacturers to adopt transparent sourcing, traceability systems, and eco-friendly production practices.