Canada Functional Foods & Natural Health Products Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Functional Foods (Dairy, Fats & Oil), Natural Health (Vitamins, Carotenoids)), By Form, And Segment Forecasts, 2019 - 2025

Industry Insights

The Canada functional foods and natural health products market size was estimated at USD 18.29 billion in 2018. Growing consumer interest in the benefits of a healthy diet and wellness has led to a thriving food & beverage industry in the recent past and the trend is expected to continue over the forecast period.

Functional foods impart exceptional health benefits owing to their nutritious contents such as omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, and fibers. Consumer attitude is very positive regarding functional foods with added health and wellness benefits. Rising geriatric population, increasing healthcare costs, changing lifestyle, food innovation, medical discoveries, and expectations regarding their higher prices have aided the overall growth.

On account of the rising demand for healthy foods and changing consumer lifestyles, manufacturers are focusing on providing supplements rich in proteins and vitamins. Carotenoids are used to reduce the risk of diabetes due to their antioxidant properties and are, therefore, anticipated to open up new avenues for the growth of natural health products over the forecast period.

According to the statistics provided by the Canadian Health Measures Survey, over 40% of Canadians are not meeting the recommended requirement of omega-3 products, which puts them at the risk of heart diseases. The survey also showed that over 42.7% people were at high risk, 54.6% at intermediate, and 2.7% were at low risk of heart diseases. All these factors are likely to propel the demand for functional foods and natural health products over the forecast period.

A favorable outlook toward health and wellness industry in light of the increasing application of natural health products for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders and malnutrition is likely to promote market growth. Furthermore, increasing demand for sports nutrition products in Canada owing to the rising number of gymnasium and fitness centers along with new and innovative product launches is likely to have a major impact on the market over the forecast period.

Manufacturers are highly fragmented and are accessing new channels to reach a diverse and broad set of customers. The market is dominated by small and medium enterprises. Such fragmentation is the result of an absence of consumer loyalty and a general lack of brand awareness.

Functional Foods Product Insights

Dairy products accounted for the highest penetration in 2018, and held over 39.4% of the overall market share in terms of revenue. Milk-based drinks, spreads, and yogurts are rich in compounds and have good delivery systems for functional foods which has surged the demand of functional foods.

Fats and oils are witnessing an increased application in food and beverage industry due to the ascending demand for healthy and clean-labeled foods. Rising awareness among the elderly population to enhance their body resistance has led to increased expenditure on food items with a substantial amount of fats and oils.

Natural Health Product Insights

Vitamin emerged as the majorly used ingredient for the production of natural health products and accounted for one third of the total market share in 2018 owing to the rising consumption of multivitamin tablets and capsules by working individuals as well as sportspersons.

The demand for liquid probiotics has increased because of their application in yogurt, which is the most popular source of probiotics. Bifidobacteria, Streptococcus Thermophilus, and Lactobacilli are the most widely consumed bacteria strains. Rising awareness regarding probiotics coupled with changing consumer dynamics is expected to propel the demand for probiotics as natural health products over the forecast period.

Furthermore, proteins, amino acids, and mineral ingredients help improve body metabolism and growth through the use of elements including calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and chloride. Phytochemical and plant extracts majorly find application in medical nutrition products in the form of natural plants including neem, herbs, and Ashwagandha. This segment is expected to account for 15% of the total market share by 2025.

Natural Health Products Form Insights

Rising importance of microencapsulation in health and wellness industry to ensure the controlled release of finished products along with maintaining the color characteristics is expected to prompt manufacturers to opt for capsule dosage forms over the forecast period. However, high prices incurred during blistering packaging method are projected to refrain manufacturers from using capsule formulation over the forecast period.

Tablets are the most commonly used type of natural health products owing to their cost-effectiveness and easy packaging techniques. The segment contributed approximately 34.7% of the total market and is expected to lose its share to the capsules and soft gel segment owing to its bitter taste and the presence of lubricants that are not suitable for consumption.

Capsules are widely accepted since they enable unique mixes of ingredients, provide protection from sensitive ingredients, reduce gastrointestinal irritation, and ensure oil and fat-soluble nutrient delivery. However, capsules are expensive and are characterized by significant space and potency limitations, which can restrict the growth in the upcoming years.

Canada Functional Foods & Natural Health Products Market Share Insights

The market is highly fragmented in nature with the presence of large number of market participants across the value chain. Manufacturers are accessing new channels to reach a diverse and broad set of customers. General Mills Inc.; GFR Pharma; and Herbalife were the major players in this region. Strategic divestments, mergers and acquisitions, and new product launches were the key strategies implemented by the manufacturers to expand their customer base.

Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at country level and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the Canada functional foods and natural health products market report based on product and form:

• Functional Foods Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Bakery & Confectionery

  • Dairy

  • Fish & Eggs

  • Canola-based

  • Pulses-based

  • Hemp-based

  • Flax-based

  • Oats-based

  • Barley-based

  • Soy

  • Oils & Fats

  • Others

• Natural Health Products Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025)

  • Probiotics

  • Proteins & Amino Acids

  • Phytochemical & Plant Extracts

  • Prebiotics

  • Fibers & Specialty Carbohydrates

  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids

  • Carotenoids

  • Natural Vitamins

  • Natural Minerals

• Natural Health Products Form Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025)

  • Capsules

  • Tablets

  • Soft Gels

  • Other