Bioactive Ingredients Market
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The global bioactive ingredients market size was valued at USD 127.5 billion in 2024, with expectations to reach USD 279.9 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 7.9%.
Naturally obtained compounds called bioactive ingredients are used in the global market for food, dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and animal nutrition. These ingredients such as polyphenols, probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids and plant extracts help the body with immunity, digestion and anti-aging, they are very important in today’s wellness industry.
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Year: | 2024 |
| Bioactive Ingredients Market size in 2024: | USD 127.5 Billion |
| Forecast Period: | 2025 – 2034 |
| Forecast Period 2023 - 2032 CAGR: | 7.9 |
| 2023 Value Projection: | USD 279.9 Billion |
| Historical Data for: | 2021 – 2024 |
| No of Pages: | 220 |
| Tables, Charts & Figures: | 145 |
| Segments Covered: | USD 279.9 Billion By Product type, Source, Application, Extraction Technology and, By Region |
| Growth Drivers: |
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| Pitfalls Challenges: |
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As more people are becoming aware of health, wanting preventive healthcare and looking for clean-label and functional products which is driving the market forward. Personalized nutrition, the rise of plant-based ingredients, and the adoption of advanced and green extraction technologies for higher efficacy and sustainability are key drivers in this market. The bioactive ingredients market is growing worldwide as consumers are looking for natural and proven solutions.
For instance, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), global hunger and the prevalence of severe food malnutrition have grown worldwide, especially in recent years. Additionally, in 2050, the world’s population will have increased by 34%, and to supply this, food production needs to increase by 70%. On the other hand, approximately on third of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted annually.
Moreover, the World Health Organization estimates that 600 million people suffer from foodborne diseases after eating contaminated food, and 420,000 die every year for this reason. All these factors underline the need for new strategies to reduce food insecurity and food waste and enhance food safety in the food chain using more sustainable practices, promoting bioactive ingredients market. The market is showing shifting demand focused on clear label, health and wellness preventive nutritional products, highlighting a broad opportunity in bioactive ingredients market, while considering the rising environmental and sustainability concerns.
Bioactive ingredients are seeing strong growth worldwide because more people are focusing on their health after the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people are now choosing to take care of their health by using preventive healthcare. This shift is further reinforced by the rise in lifestyle related health conditions such as stress, fatigue, digestive issues, and vitamin deficiencies. The market for bioactive ingredients is being transformed quickly due to new technologies in extraction. Improved extraction methods help extract more, make the compounds easier to absorb, save time and keep the delicate substances like polyphenols and omega fatty acids intact.
New green extraction methods such as natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES), are being recognized for their eco-friendly and low-toxicity properties, making them suitable for clean-label formulations. The technology-driven shift supports and encourages new products in nutraceuticals, functional foods and cosmetics which fit both industry efforts to be sustainable and what consumers now expect in safe and natural ingredients. With more companies focusing on R&D, the market is expanding its range of bioactive compounds designed to support immunity, health of the gut, mental health and aging.
Despite this technological progress, the industry faces notable challenges related to cost and sustainability. The cost of using advanced extraction technologies and processing raw materials is high which makes it hard for small and mid-sized businesses to enter the market and grow. Bioactive ingredients frequently depend on rare herbs, marine organisms and high-value crops which raises questions about their availability and the effects on the environment.
Overharvesting, deforestation and changes in agriculture due to climate are making it harder to source products sustainably. As consumers are increasingly preferring ethical and traceable ingredients, companies are balancing the demand growth with responsible sourcing practices. These challenges need to be addressed for further market prosperity.
However, with increased focus on continuous innovation in formulations, investment in technologies, supply chain transparency, and regenerative practices, bioactive ingredients are going to continue to have stable growth. As more people around the world care about their health, the bioactive ingredients market is set to grow steadily, support new scientific developments and benefit consumers.
The bioactive ingredients market by product type is segmented into polyphenols, carotenoids, probiotics, prebiotics, fatty acid, protein & amino acid, vitamins, minerals and others. Fatty acids accounted for 19.1 % of the market share in 2024 with a market size of USD 24.3 billion.
The bioactive ingredients market is segmented into plant based, animal based, microbial, marine and others based on the source. Plant based form of source made up 58.3% of the market in 2024 and expected to grow at a faster rate of 6.8% CAGR to reach a wider consumer base.
The plant based sourced segment accounts for the largest share within the global share in the bioactive ingredients market, this dominance is due to rising global demand for clean-label, natural, and vegan products, especially in functional foods, supplements, and personal care. Fruits & vegetables, cereals & grains, herbs & spices and oilseeds & pulses are among the sources for plant-based bioactives.
Antioxidants, vitamins, polyphenols and fibers, present in these ingredients are good for your health, offering anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and immunity-boosting benefits. The fact that they are sustainable, not heavily processed and easy to regulate helps make them attractive to consumers who care about their health and the environment.
Following this, the animal-based segment is supported by the positive effects of collagen, omega-3s, dairy proteins and egg nutrients which are found in meat, fish, dairy and eggs. These ingredients are often used in sports nutrition, medicine and for beauty-from-within products. Probiotic bacteria, fungi and algae from microbial sources are becoming more popular for supporting gut health, fermentation-based foods and protein substitutes. Most of the marine segment is made from fish and seaweed and it offers omega-3s and minerals, mainly for helping with brain and heart health.
The bioactive ingredients market by applications is segmented into food & beverages, dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics & personal care, animal nutrition and others. The application based on food & beverages accounted for 34% of the market share in 2024 with a market size of USD 43.5 billion.
Application of bioactive ingredients in food and beverages segment accounts for majority of the share with this market. The growth in this segment is mainly due to increasing consumer demand for functional foods and beverages that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Probiotics, prebiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and plant polyphenols are often found in functional foods and beverages such as dairy, fermented drinks, energy drinks, nutritional bars, fortified cereals, functional juices and ready-to-drink teas.
In addition, bakery & confectionery, dairy products and meat & poultry products are now being enhanced with bioactive ingredients like omega-3s, fibers, vitamins and plant polyphenols to address the rising demand for healthy, clean-label foods.
Dietary supplements are also important, and formats such as tablets & capsules, powders and liquid shots are becoming popular for addressing health issues such as immunity, bone health and metabolism. Bioactive ingredients are added to oral and topical products in the pharmaceutical segment for both treating and preventing chronic diseases. Bioactive ingredients are added to skincare and haircare products in cosmetics & personal care to provide anti-aging, hydrating and repairing benefits. Bioactive ingredients are also used in animal nutrition to help feed be more efficient and to strengthen the immunity of livestock. These applications highlight the widespread utility of bioactive ingredients across different industries.
The bioactive ingredients market by extraction technology is segmented into conventional extraction methods, advanced extraction methods, green extraction methods and others. Conventional extraction methods accounted for 48.8% of the market share in 2024 with a market size of USD 62.3 billion.
Conventional extraction methods dominated the bioactive ingredients market, the conventional techniques such as solvent extraction, maceration, and percolation are widely used due to their cost-effectiveness, simplicity, and scalability across industries. Solvent extraction is preferred because it works well to isolate polyphenols and essential oils from plants. Despite the issues of residues and less selectivity, these techniques are widely used in large-scale businesses, mainly in developing countries.
Alternatively, new advanced extraction techniques are becoming more popular because they are precise, save time and use less solvent. Superficial fluid extraction (SFE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and enzyme-assisted extraction improve both the purity and sustainability of bioactive compounds. Green methods such as deep eutectic solvents (DES) and natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES), are becoming popular because they are eco-friendly and fit the clean-label and sustainability trends. They are not widely used now, their popularity is set to increase as technology innovations and regulatory support improve.
The global bioactive ingredients market is dominated by Asia Pacific, accounting for 38.8% of total revenue in 2024.
The Nestle S.A., Fonterra Co-operative Group., Arla Foods, Glanbia Nutritional and Davisco Foods International are significant 5 players in the bioactive ingredients industry with respect to innovation and distribution. These are prominent companies within the global bioactive ingredients industry operating in their respective regions. These companies hold strong positions globally due to their extensive experience in bioactive ingredients market. Their diverse product portfolios, backed by robust production capabilities and distribution networks, enable them to meet the rising demand across various regions.
Nestle S.A.: Nestle is a global leader in nutrition, health, and wellness, with a strong foothold in the bioactive ingredients market through its Nestlé Health Science division. The company focuses on developing functional food and supplement products enriched with probiotics, vitamins, peptides, and plant-based extracts. It invests heavily in R&D, including its Nestle Institute of Health Sciences, to explore personalized nutrition, gut microbiome, and age-related health solutions. Nestle is known for brands like Garden of Life and Vital Proteins, which specialize in bioactive-rich dietary supplements.
Fonterra Co-operative Group: Fonterra is one of the world’s largest dairy exporters and a pioneer in dairy-based bioactive ingredients. Its NZMP brand offers a portfolio of functional ingredients including milk proteins, probiotics, and phospholipids, used in sports nutrition, infant formula, and medical nutrition. Fonterra's research focuses on bone health, cognitive development, and immunity-enhancing dairy bioactive ingredients.
Arla Foods: Arla Foods, a European dairy cooperative, plays a significant role in the bioactive market through its Arla Foods Ingredients subsidiary. The company specializes in whey proteins, milk minerals, and lactose derivatives that support muscle development, immune function, and digestive health. Its innovations include Lacprodan and Capolac ingredients, tailored for sports nutrition, clinical nutrition, and early life nutrition segments.
Glanbia Nutritional: Glanbia Nutritionals is a global leader in performance and lifestyle nutrition, offering a broad range of functional and bioactive ingredients. Its portfolio includes proteins, amino acids, vitamin and mineral premixes, omega-3s, probiotics, and bioactives like plant extracts. Glanbia is known for innovation in customized nutrient solutions for beverages, bars, supplements, and dairy products. Brands like Optimum Nutrition and Nutramino fall under its umbrella, with a strong presence in both B2B and B2C sectors.
Davisco Foods International: Davisco, acquired by Agropur, was a U.S.-based dairy ingredient company specializing in high-purity whey proteins, bioactive peptides, and enzyme-modified dairy ingredients. It was one of the first companies to produce whey protein isolate (WPI) on a commercial scale. Davisco contributed significantly to sports nutrition and medical food markets with its high-functionality bioactive formulations.
Market, By Product Type
Market, By Source
Market, By Application
Market, By Extraction Technology
The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:
The China market of bioactive ingredients was worth over USD 49.5 billion in 2024.
Some of the major players in the industry include Nestlé S.A., Fonterra Co-operative Group, Arla Foods, FrieslandCampina, Glanbia Nutritionals, Davisco Foods International, DSM, Cargill, Inc., Archer Daniels Midland Company, DuPont, BASF SE, Ajinomoto Co., Inc., Chr. Hansen Holding A/S, Kerry Group, Ingredion Incorporated, Tate & Lyle PLC, Koninklijke DSM N.V., Roquette Frères, Symrise AG, Givaudan.
The market size of bioactive ingredients was valued at USD 127.5 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach around USD 279.9 billion by 2034, growing at 7.9% CAGR through 2034.
The fatty acid segment generated over USD 24.3 billion in 2024.