Report

Global prebiotic ingredients market is projected to witness a CAGR of 10.08% during the forecast period 2024-2031, growing from USD 7.53 billion in 2023 to USD 16.24 billion in 2031. Factors such as increasing knowledge of consumers, the importance of their gut health, and its effect on their overall well-being are propelling the growth of the prebiotic ingredients market. Consumers are seeking to consume functional foods and beverages that offer health benefits apart from basic nutrition, driving the incorporation of prebiotic ingredients into various food products and their daily diets.
Additionally, with a rise in the prevalence of digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), consumers are looking for products that can help them alleviate these symptoms and improve their digestive health, thus boosting the demand for prebiotic ingredients.
In October 2023, dsm-firmenich unveiled its next-level postbiotics which are formulated to take the market beyond gut health and improve metabolic and cognitive health. The company mentioned that its postbiotics are greatly stable for various ingredient combinations and applications. The company makes use of proprietary technology to mix its offerings with omega 3, which was unveiled later at SupplySide West. As a result, they had the latest addition to their 'Health from the Gut' portfolio, Humiome Post LB, the most studied postbiotic for digestive health.
Moreover, its applicability in animal food products, cosmetics, and personal care products is further driving the growth of the market.
Improved Gut Health to Boost the Growth
Prebiotic ingredients are a major source for improving gut health. They serve as the food for good bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, in the gut of humans. Incorporating the prebiotic ingredients in the diets and stimulating the growth of these bacteria, helps in maintaining health and improving the balance of gut microbiota. Gut microbiota is vital for the optimal functioning of the digestive system to promote overall well-being. It is important in the regulation of the immune system by the reduction in constipation and alleviation of symptoms of digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Additionally, prebiotic ingredients play a crucial role in regulating bowel movements in the body and increasing stool bulk, resulting in the improvement of gastrointestinal functioning, and providing comfort to the consumers after its consumption. Few prebiotic ingredients such as resistant starch reduce the risk of colon cancer. Additionally, they help in weight management by maintaining metabolic health through appetite regulation and influencing satiety. It reduces the food intake and increases the feeling of fullness, serving consumers' preferences for maintaining a healthy body weight.
Thus, by the addition of prebiotic ingredients to their diet, and consuming prebiotic-rich foods, consumers improve their quality of life.
Sugar Elimination from Diets Being the Key Trend
Consumers prefer to eliminate sugar from their diets as sugar leads to various health concerns like diabetes, tooth decay, heart disease, and obesity. Additionally, high-sugar diets result in spikes in blood sugar levels, which adversely affects the mood and energy levels of the consumers. As consumers are becoming increasingly health conscious, they are seeking sugar substitutes to reduce the intake of added sugar in their diets. They are shifting towards ingredients like prebiotics which are natural sugar replacements, benefiting their health and overall well-being. The shift in consumers' preference is synonymous with them becoming aware of the nutrition and effect of prebiotics on their health, driving the growth of the market.
Incorporation of prebiotics like FOS enables the replacement of sugar with the addition of dietary fiber, thus, enhancing the nutritional composition of products. Manufacturers are taking advantage of the situation and launching products that are good for consumers' health and reduce their consumption of sugar.
For instance, BENEO GmbH announced its product offerings by launching Beneo-scL85, a fructooligosaccharide (scFOS). The new addition to its portfolio offers consumers great versatility for the replacement of sugar and enhancement of foods with dietary fiber. scFOS, derived from beet sugar, is a fiber that offers mild sweetness, good solubility, and natural traits, enriching the taste and texture of the final product.
Cosmetics Sector to Hold a Greater Share in the Market
Prebiotic ingredients hold a significant dominance in the market for several reasons. Some of the reasons are prebiotic ingredients which help in maintaining the skin's microbiota and promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria, which help in supporting skin health.

In March 2023, The Tereos Group announced the launch of its latest offering FOS beauty range, which is a novel prebiotic ingredient specifically designed to modulate the microbiota in skin. FOS beauty has been proven to foster the proliferation of beneficial microorganisms like Staphylococcus epidermidis while suppressing the pathogenic strains that are associated with skin problems like acne.

Prebiotics have been seen curing various skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, allergic reactions, and rosacea, by hampering the growth of harmful bacteria and minimizing inflammation. Additionally, prebiotics help in nourishing the skin which enhances its applicability in moisturizers, cleansers, and serums, helping in keeping the skin hydrated, moisturized, and soft. Consumers have become increasingly conscious of the appearance of the skin and want younger-looking hydrated skin, driving the growth of the market.
Infant Formulas Dominate the Market
Prebiotics are foods that provide beneficial bacteria, improving gut health. By the introduction of such good bacteria in infants, prebiotics help in establishing healthy gut microbiota. It is essential for proper digestion and immune functioning since a significant portion of the immune system is found in the gut and nutrient absorption.
Thus, prebiotics play a very crucial role in the development and maturation of the immune system, helping to strengthen the natural defense system of infants, and enabling them to fight against diseases and infections, which helps them keep healthy.
Parents have become increasingly conscious about the healthy growth and development of their children, and because of this, they introduce supplements and ingredients like prebiotics at an early age. Taking advantage of the opportunity, and shift in consumers' preference, manufacturers are shifting their offerings from adults' offering to the infant product portfolio.
In October 2023, Royal Friesland Campina N.V. unveiled its latest Aequival range of prebiotic ingredients, 2'Fucosyllactose (2'-FL) to the Chinese producers of infant milk. The most prevalent HMO, found in human milk is similar to Galacto-oligosaccharides (GoS). HMO, known for its prebiotic properties supports the development of the infant gut microbiota and its metabolic processes.
Future Market Scenario (2024 - 2031F)
Prebiotic ingredients and other oligosaccharides derived from plants are forecasted to gain popularity due to increasing consumer interest in food and beverage options with reduced sugar and fat content while maintaining taste and texture. The market is expected to expand further alongside rising obesity rates. Additionally, the demand for prebiotics is projected to surge in the forecast period, driven by their capacity to support the proliferation of probiotics and other beneficial gut bacteria, thus enhancing gastrointestinal and immune system functionalities.
Key Players Landscape and Outlook
Key participants in the global prebiotic ingredients market are propelling the growth of the market by focusing on product innovation, technological progress, establishment of manufacturing facilities, and strategic collaborations. The manufacturers are actively innovating and adding the latest products to their product lines to cater to the evolving needs of consumers.
In July 2023, Yault Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd.'s USA subsidiary announced the establishment of a USD 305 million facility for production in White, Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp. Construction is expected to primarily occur in 2025, with the facility slated to commence production in 2026.
Archer Daniels Midland Company launched a D2C plant-based, healthcare brand, Knwble Grwn in March 2023. The core business of the company remains B2B, to build a greater presence in D2C market. Its offerings in D2C portfolio include probiotic supplements such as Bio-Kult, linseed oil LinSheen, and pet-food Equilibrio. While the company has launched its brand, Knwble Grwn through Walmart.com and Amazon.com in the United States, it is analyzing its growth and distribution channels into the retail and international markets.