Oral Clinical Nutrition Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Stage (Adults, Pediatrics), By Indication (Dysphagia, Alzheimer’s, Diabetes), By Sales Channel (Online Sales, Retail Sales), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2025 - 2030

Oral Clinical Nutrition Market Size & Trends

The global oral clinical nutrition market size was estimated at USD 17.16 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.0% from 2025 to 2030. The growing rates of malnutrition in adults, along with increasing cases of obesity and chronic conditions such as cancer and diabetes, are key drivers of market growth.

Oral clinical nutrition products in powder, liquid, and semi-solid forms deliver essential nutrients such as vitamins, proteins, and carbohydrates. Manufacturers are introducing new flavors to improve taste and attract more consumers, increasing sales and market demand. For instance, in May 2023, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory released an updated ENORAS Liquid, now available in coffee and tea flavors. This specialized liquid is designed for both feeding tube and oral administration, offering more palatable options for patients.

According to WHO, the global population aged 60 & above significantly increased from around 1 billion in 2020 to about 1.4 billion in 2030 and is expected to almost double by 2050 to reach around 2.1 billion. The number of elderly patients with critical illnesses has significantly increased in the past few years. The risk of malnutrition and frailty among the geriatric population with comorbidities, such as stroke, depression, and dementia, is much higher, mainly owing to various age-related changes in body composition and muscle mass. This results in a reduced ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), thereby increasing the risk of falls or injuries. Therefore, it is important to analyze the pathophysiology behind the condition (nutritional deficiency).

Major companies and innovators are introducing new products to boost efficiency, shelf life, quality, and nutritional content. In addition to enhancing nutritional value, manufacturers also focus on improving taste by adding various flavors. These efforts contribute to increased demand for oral clinical nutrition products, fueling growth in the global market. For instance, in March 2021, Kate Farms launched two products covering Medi-Cal insurance for children and adults. The products, Kate Farms Standard 1.4 Vanilla and Plain, and Kate Farms Pediatric Peptide Vanilla Flavor 1.0, are indicated to treat nutrient deficiency in patients with chronic diseases such as allergies, malnutrition in adults, cancer, and gastrointestinal disorders. Such novel product inventions are expected to drive industry growth.

The outbreak of COVID-19 had a significant impact on the oral clinical nutrition industry. The viral infection led to a decrease in the immunity in patient. Moreover, conditions such as hypertension, obesity, and diabetes were also some of the major risk factors resulting in poor clinical outcomes for hospitalized patients due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. As per the clinical studies, the population over 50-65 was more prone to lower immunity, poor nutrition, and conditions such as sarcopenia. There is a rise in demand for oral clinical nutrition supplements to enhance the body's immunity, driving the overall market.

Market Concentration & Characteristics

The oral clinical nutrition industry is experiencing moderate growth with an accelerating trajectory. Key factors shaping the market include a rising elderly population, a growing burden of chronic diseases, technological advancements, a shift toward personalized nutrition, and evolving regulatory frameworks.

The oral clinical nutrition industry is evolving rapidly, driven by medical research and technological advancements. Trends such as personalized nutrition, innovative formulations, and bioactive ingredients are gaining momentum. Manufacturers heavily invest in R&D to develop products that go beyond basic nutrition and offer added health benefits. This innovation push intensifies competition and expands offerings tailored to diverse patient needs.

Key players are implementing strategic initiatives such as M&A, collaborations, and partnerships to strengthen their market presence. For instance, in February 2023, Nestlé and EraCal Therapeutics formed a research partnership to explore new nutraceuticals to regulate food intake. This partnership focuses on developing innovative nutraceutical compounds to manage metabolic diseases such as obesity through appetite control, which aligns with preventive and supportive nutritional approaches.

Regulations are essential in shaping the oral clinical nutrition industry. Producers of medical foods are required to adhere to all relevant FDA food regulations, which include the following compliance standards:

• Current good manufacturing practice (21 CFR part 110)

• Registration of food facilities (21 CFR part 1 subpart H)

• Thermally processed low-acid foods packaged in hermetically sealed containers (21 CFR part 113)

• Acidified foods (21 CFR part 114)

• Emergency permit control (21 CFR part 108).

The product substitutes are expected to be low for clinical nutrition products as they are specifically formulated to meet the unique nutritional needs of patients with specific medical conditions, providing a level of efficacy and precision that may not be available in substitutes.

Key industry players are prioritizing geographic expansion to access untapped markets. This is typically achieved by establishing manufacturing facilities in new regions or forming strategic partnerships with local companies in target areas. For instance, in September 2023, Nutrisens Group reinforced its role as a leading independent clinical nutrition provider in Europe by acquiring Vitasyn Medical GmbH, a German company specializing in nephrology and oncology. This move supports Nutrisens' ongoing European growth strategy, which was marked by establishing a German subsidiary, adding to its existing presence in France, Spain, Italy, and Portugal.

Stage Insights

The adult segment led the market with the largest revenue share of 88.15% in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. This is attributed to the increasing prevalence of nutritional deficiency and malnutrition among adults. The adult age group is prone to reduced muscle strength, vitamins and calcium deficiency among women above 30 years, apathy, lower immunity, hypertension, and fatigue. This results in nutritional deficiency among the adult population. The rise in awareness among people and healthcare professionals about treating such deficiencies has increased the demand for oral clinical nutrition products.

The pediatric segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR over the forecast period. This growth is driven by increasing awareness of pediatric nutrition, rising incidences of malnutrition among children, and the prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders and allergies. In October 2023, Nutricia, a division of the global food and beverage leader Danone, introduced its first medical nutrition beverage containing a balanced blend of real fruit and vegetable ingredients. This product is designed to support the dietary needs of pediatric patients with disease-related malnutrition and growth challenges.

Indication Insights

The cancer care segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2024. This can be attributed to the unhealthy lifestyle, bad eating habits, inherited traits, and poor immunity have increased the occurrence of genetic disorders. The prevalence of cancer is rising globally. According to the National Cancer Institute, cancer remains one of the top causes of death globally. In 2022, nearly 20 million new cases were diagnosed, and approximately 9.7 million people died from cancer-related causes worldwide. In the surge for early diagnosis and treatment of cancer symptoms, advanced treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy are implemented. The side effects of these treatments result in poor food intake, decreased body nutrition, and malnutrition among the patients.

The Malabsorption/GI Disorder/Diarrhea segment is anticipated to witness at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. This is attributed to the rising prevalence of these diseases among infants and children. Malabsorption and GI disorders are most commonly seen among infants. Thus, oral nutrition products are available in the market to treat these indications. The industry players are increasing their production to cater to the growing market demand. For instance, Nutricia has taken proactive measures to address the unprecedented demand for its Neocate products, particularly Neocate DHA/ARA Infant formula and Neocate Junior Unflavored. In March 2022, Nutricia announced that it prioritized the U.S. market to increase supply and specifically ramp up production of these key products. In addition, the company began expediting deliveries via air shipments from its manufacturing sites to ensure timely availability in the market.

Sales Channel Insights

The institutional sales segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2024, due to high demand from hospitals, long-term care centers, and nursing homes for managing malnutrition and chronic illnesses. These settings often treat elderly and critically ill patients who require nutritional support, driving consistent product usage. Government and private healthcare institutions prioritize therapeutic nutrition to improve recovery outcomes, especially in post-operative care and oncology.

The online sales channel segment is anticipated to witness at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. There is a shift in the trend of direct selling to customers via e-commerce platforms. The preference for online purchase of enteral feeding formula is rising owing to the convenience offered by this sales channel. In addition, online platforms provide consumers easy access to product information, reviews, and home delivery services, enhancing the shopping experience. This trend reflects a broader shift towards digital health solutions and direct-to-consumer sales models in the healthcare industry.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the oral clinical nutrition market with the largest revenue share of 30.50% in 2024. The increasing number of patients with non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, cancer, and CKDs, is expected to promote the demand for oral clinical nutritional products in this region. Moreover, there is a rising awareness amongst the companies to launch novel oral clinical nutrition products which are safe, regulatory approved, and have enhanced nutritional value. This spurs the growth of the global oral clinical nutrition industry.

U.S. Oral Clinical Nutrition Market Trends

The oral clinical nutrition market in the U.S. accounted for the largest market revenue share in North America in 2024, primarily due to the rising prevalence of cancer across the country. For instance, according to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 54,540 new cases and 11,580 deaths from oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer were reported in 2023. In addition, the increasing burden of chronic conditions such as neurological disorders is expected to drive the uptake of clinical nutrition during the forecast period. As per the Alzheimer’s Association 2022 Report, approximately 6.5 million individuals in the U.S. were living with Alzheimer’s disease in 2022. Similarly, the Parkinson’s Foundation estimates that around 60,000 new cases of Parkinson’s disease are diagnosed each year, with over 930,000 individuals affected as of 2020.

Asia Pacific Oral Clinical Nutrition Market Trends

The oral clinical nutrition market in Asia Pacific is experiencing rapid growth, driven by factors such as government initiatives, localized product development, and increasing healthcare access. Companies focus on tailoring products to regional dietary preferences and health conditions. For instance, in August 2024, Danone India partnered with Apollo 24/7 to launch the Super 6 Diabetes Program, targeting India’s growing diabetes epidemic. The program features Protinex Diabetes Care, formulated as a food for special dietary use to support diabetes management. In addition, the rise of e-commerce platforms facilitates broader distribution and accessibility of clinical nutrition products across the region.

The Japan oral clinical nutrition market is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period, due to the country's increasing aging population. As per the data published by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in October 2023, the number of people aged 65 and above as of September 15, 2023, stood at 36.2 million. In addition, supportive legislative changes in the country are expected to impact the market positively. The Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare in Japan has established exclusive clinical guidelines for clinical nutrition for enteral and parenteral nutrition. This is expected to drive the market over the forecast period.

Europe Oral Clinical Nutrition Market Trends

The oral clinical nutrition market in Europe is growing owing to the strong regulatory framework, an aging population, and a growing preference for plant-based and allergen-free supplements characterize Europe's market. Countries such as Germany, the UK, and France are witnessing increased adoption of oral clinical nutrition supplements, especially among the elderly and patients with chronic illnesses. European consumers are inclined toward plant-based and allergen-free supplements, reflecting broader dietary trends. For instance, a 2023 survey by the European Consumer Organization revealed that 47% of consumers in Germany prefer plant-based nutrition supplements. The region's robust regulatory framework ensures product quality and safety, fostering consumer trust.

The oral clinical nutrition market in the UK is driven by an increasing prevalence of malnutrition, particularly among older people. According to the Malnutrition Task Force, 1.3 million people over 65 suffer from malnutrition in the UK, with the vast majority living in the community. Innovation is evident in product offerings, with manufacturers introducing new flavors to enhance taste and improve patient compliance. The regulatory framework is strong, with oversight from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Latin America Oral Clinical Nutrition Market Trends

The oral clinical nutrition market in Latin America is expanding due to improving healthcare infrastructure, increased healthcare expenditures, and rising awareness of clinical nutrition's importance. In addition, M&A plays a key role in shaping the market, with companies seeking to strengthen their regional footprint and enhance product offerings. For instance, in March 2025, Nutrisens Group expanded its presence in Latin America by acquiring a majority stake in Prodiet, a Brazilian company specializing in clinical nutrition for medical use. This acquisition marks Nutrisens' entry into Latin America's significant clinical nutrition market and establishes a strong local platform for broader regional expansion.

Middle East & Africa Oral Clinical Nutrition Market Trends

The oral clinical nutrition market in the Middle East & Africa (MEA) is evolving with improving healthcare facilities, rising awareness about nutritional therapies, and economic development. Countries in the MEA region are witnessing growth in the demand for clinical nutrition products, driven by increasing healthcare investments and awareness. Economic development and healthcare reforms contribute to market expansion despite access and affordability challenges. The focus is on expanding access to clinical nutrition products across diverse demographics.

Key Oral Clinical Nutrition Company Insights

Key participants in the industry are focusing on developing innovative growth strategies in the form of product portfolio expansions, partnerships & collaborations, mergers & acquisitions, and business footprint expansions. For instance, in October 2023, Nutricia, a division of global food and beverage leader Danone, introduced its first medical nutrition drink made with a balanced blend of real fruit and vegetable ingredients. Specially designed for the dietary management of disease-related malnutrition and faltering growth in pediatric patients, the drink is ready-to-consume, nutritionally complete, and sourced from natural ingredients. It delivers one-third of the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables in each serving.

“We know the role that food plays, not only in terms of health, but also socially and emotionally. And this is no exception for younger patients with specific medical nutritional needs. When nutritional intervention is needed, the lack of naturalness can be frustrating for both younger patients and their parents. We are pleased to pioneer our first medical nutrition drink with a balance of real fruit and vegetable ingredients, empowering patients’ needs, Healthcare Professionals' recommendations, and parental wishes.”

-Brands and Innovation Specialized Nutrition at Danone

Recent Developments

• In May 2024, Danone acquired Functional Formularies, a provider of whole food tube feeding solutions in the U.S., from Swander Pace Capital. This acquisition is a strategic component of Danone's Renew Strategy, enhancing the company's Medical Nutrition offerings in the U.S. market by broadening its portfolio of enteral tube feeding products.

“As a global leader in Medical Nutrition, we are delighted to welcome Functional Formularies to Danone. We are confident that with the addition of the greatly differentiated product portfolio of Functional Formularies, which complements our existing Real Food Blends branded range, we are even better positioned to support the nutritional needs of tube-fed families and patients.”

- Juergen Esser, Deputy CEO and CFO

• In January 2024, Danone partnered with Resilience, a digital oncology firm, to enhance nutritional care for cancer patients. The partnership integrates Danone's expertise in nutrition's impact on health & illness with Resilience's capacity to revolutionize patient care and lead the digital healthcare transformation.

“We are pleased to partner with Danone to combine our expertise in remote patient care with their knowledge of cancer and nutrition. We intend to improve cancer-related malnutrition care by supporting healthcare professionals in the early detection of nutrition issues and in empowering patients to achieve better outcomes. In patient care, this is the first time we address patients’ vulnerabilities early on with the aim of increasing treatment adherence. This project is completely in line with the holistic approach of Resilience and our aim to redefine patient care and to personalize the care pathway.”

- Dr Charles Ferté, Chief Medical and Patient Officer of Resilience

• In January 2023, Nutricia introduced Fortimel PlantBased Energy, its inaugural plant-based, ready-to-consume oral nutritional supplement, designed to meet the dietary needs of individuals suffering from or vulnerable to illness-related malnutrition.

“Nutrition is not just about the nutrients. It also has many connotations in life, about the lives we lead, the interaction with other people, and respecting values and preferences. This is equally true in medical nutrition, where the importance of individualized nutritional care that is in line with people’s lifestyle preferences is very important. To provide this kind of individualized nutritional care, plant-based options are a welcome evolution of medical nutrition.”

- Dr. Anne Holdoway, a registered dietitian from the UK

Oral Clinical Nutrition Market Report Scope

Global Oral Clinical Nutrition Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global oral clinical nutrition market report based on stage, indication, sales channel, and region:

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

  •  Adults

  •  Pediatrics

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

  • Alzheimer’s

  • Nutrition Deficiency

  • Cancer Care

  • Diabetes

  • Chronic Kidney Diseases

  • Orphan Diseases

  • Dysphagia

  • Pain Management

  • Malabsorption/GI Disorder/Diarrhea

  • Others

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

  • Online Sales

  • Retail Sales

  • Institutional Sales

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

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • UK

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Sweden

    • Denmark

    • Norway

  • Asia Pacific

    • Japan

    • China

    • India

    • Australia

    • South Korea

    • Thailand

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East and Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • South Africa

    • UAE

    • Kuwait