Asia Pacific Medical Foods Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Route Of Administration, By Product Type, By Application, By Sales Channel, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Report Overview

The Asia Pacific medical foods market size was valued at USD 6.1 billion in 2022 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3% from 2023 to 2030. The Asia Pacific (APAC) market is fairly untapped and rapid urbanization and development in the region have widened the medical foods industry. The growing geriatric population and diseases associated with old age are key factors contributing to the growth. Lifestyle diseases associated with a sedentary lifestyle that comes with modernization and urbanization are on the rise in the region. Awareness about leading a healthy lifestyle is a key factor for the increased adoption of medical foods as preventative measures to reduce symptoms of diseases and certain diseases altogether.

According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), by 2050 Asia Pacific will have one in four people aged above 60. The geriatric population will be nearly 1.3 billion. With the increase in the geriatric population, health issues arising due to the same have also been on the rise. Lifestyle diseases associated with aging are also key factors contributing to the growth of the market.

Asia Pacific region where urbanization and development have increased the overall life expectancy but have also caused a shift in causes of mortality from communicable diseases to non-communicable diseases. The leading factor for mortality is cardiovascular diseases and cancer. According to the OECD data, cancer caused nearly 4.5 million deaths in the APAC region.

The increase in overall awareness around medical food has driven the market growth significantly in recent years. The markets in China and South Korea are seeing massive uptake of medical foods and the demand for the same is steadily rising. In lieu of this, the countries are speeding up processes for more imports and also investing in their portfolios to expand in the regional market. The market for medical foods pertaining to specific rare diseases is gaining momentum and being prioritized for registration by the governments.

COVID-19 Asia Pacific Medical Foods Market: 10.4% increase in revenue from 2019 to 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic restrained the growth and development of the Asia Pacific medical foods market. The rapid urbanization and high burden of the diseases coupled with the massive impact that the pandemic had on the health of people have increased the uptake of medical foods. This in turn has resulted in the growth of the industry.

Route of Administration Insights

The oral route of administration segment held a staggering market share of 68.8% in the region. The growth can be attributed to the wider product range in this segment. Major players in the medical food industry have product portfolios catering to the demand for the oral route of administration, which is a key factor driving this market. The oral route has been the most preferred format for the administration of medical foods, due to its ease and wider acceptance.

The enteral feeding segment, on the other hand, is expected to witness the fastest CAGR in the forecast period. This growth of the segment can be due to the rise in the geriatric population and diseases afflicting them. Some chronic conditions render the oral route of administration impossible or futile, thus enteral feeding becomes the choice for better nutrition management in patients with special needs.

Product Type Insights

The powder segment held the largest market share of 35.5% in 2022. Higher product availability and longer shelf-life of this type of product have brought about the growth of this segment. Product portfolios of all the major players in the industry mainly consist of powder formulations and are a key factor for a large revenue share.

The liquid product type is expected to register the fastest CAGR in the forecast period. Expansion of product portfolios by medical food players is a key factor contributing to the rapid growth of this segment. The ease of use of liquid formulations for infants and adults alike is also a key factor contributing to the growth of the segment.

Application Insights

Chemotherapy-induced diarrhea held the largest market share of 15.3% in 2022. As per the data obtained by the WHO, cancer caused nearly 4.5 million deaths in a year in the region. Consumers and patients are becoming more aware of the need to manage disease symptoms and side effects; this has been a key factor driving growth. Clinicians and doctors are more open to non-traditional methods and medically nutritive foods for nutritional supplementation.

Diabetic neuropathy is expected to emerge as the fastest-growing segment over the forecast period. Diabetes, as a lifestyle disease, has seen an overall increase in recent years, especially with the urbanization and fast development in the region, its prevalence has increased. Diabetes and its associated symptoms can be managed with proper nutrition, this is the key factor contributing to the rapid growth of this segment.

Sales Channel Insights

The institutional sales channel held the largest revenue share of 41.1% in 2022. The region is untapped in terms of market size as of now and the only preferred way of dispensing medical foods under a doctor’s supervision is through institutional sales, where medical representatives directly provide products to clinicians and doctors at clinics and care centers. Limited awareness of the patients and reluctance of medical practitioners for prescribing medical foods are the key factors for the large revenue share of this segment.

The online sales channel segment is expected to witness the fastest growth in the forecast period. Increasing popularity and acceptance of medical foods, on the whole, are expected to fuel the growth of the segment. The majority of players in the Asia Pacific medical foods market have been growing their distribution channels and expanding their reach by providing products directly to consumers.

Regional Insights

China had the largest market share of 20.8% in 2021. The increase in awareness in the Chinese population regarding the health benefits and the use of medical foods in mitigating and managing diseases and their symptoms has grown in recent years. The public has been more welcoming to medical foods for completing nutritional requirements for the elderly and patients with cancer.

India is anticipated to register the fastest CAGR over the forecast period, owing to the rapidly growing population, rising geriatric & infant populations, and increasing disease prevalence. Rising awareness about medical foods and their benefits in managing symptoms of diseases has been the primary factor for the growth of this region.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Key players are still subsidiaries owned by foreign companies; regional companies are also expanding their operations in the Asia Pacific region. China’s firm Feihe’s has been gaining a lot of popularity in the region due to its recent development, the firm has decided to expand its geographical reach and product portfolio. Regional players in India and China have majorly captured the regional market after the foreign companies. Some prominent players in the Asia Pacific medical foods market include:

• Mead Johnson

• SHS International ltd

• Synutra International ltd

• Milupa Gmbh

• Danone

• Nestlé

• Abbott

• Fresenius Kabi AG

• GlaxoSmithKline PLC

Asia Pacific Medical Foods Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at the regional and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2016 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research, Inc. has segmented the Asia Pacific medical foods market report based on the route of administration, product type, application, sales channel, and region:

• Route of Administration Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Oral

  • Enteral

• Product Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Pills

  • Powders

  • Others

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million 2018 - 2030)

  • Chronic Kidney Disease

  • Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy

  • Chemotherapy-Induced Diarrhea

  • Pathogen Related Infections

  • Diabetic Neuropathy

  • ADHD

  • Depression

  • Alzheimer's Disease

  • Nutritional Deficiency

  • Orphan Diseases

    • Phenylketonuria

    • Eosinophilic Esophagitis

    • FPIES

    • Others

  • Wound Healing

  • Chronic Diarrhea

  • Constipation Relief

  • Protein Booster

  • Dysphagia

  • Other Diseases

    • Parkinson’s Disease

    • Epilepsy

    • Pain Management

    • Other Cancer Related Treatments

• Sales Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Online Sales

  • Retail Sales

  • Institutional Sales

• Country Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Japan

  • China

  • India

  • Australia

  • New Zealand

  • Singapore

  • South Korea

  • Thailand