Delray Beach, Fla. – September 07, 2026 -- The global nutraceutical ingredients market is set to expand from USD 108.33 billion in 2026 to USD 161.53 billion by 2031, growing at a compound annual rate of 7.3%, according to MarketsandMarkets.
Asia Pacific outpaces global growth with 11.3% CAGR
Asia Pacific is projected to remain the largest and fastest-growing regional market, driven by rising health awareness in China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. Expanding food and beverage manufacturing capacity and growing demand for personalized nutrition are reinforcing the region's supply position.
Human nutrition segment leads demand at 8.49% CAGR
Human nutrition held the largest application share in 2025 and is forecast to be the fastest-growing segment, fueled by preventive healthcare trends, lifestyle-disease prevalence, and aging populations seeking specialized and infant nutrition products. Functional proteins dominated ingredient types with a 44.34% share in 2025, while microbial-based ingredients are set to grow fastest among sources at a 10.21% CAGR.
Fragmented market sees five players hold roughly 10% share
Cargill, dsm-firmenich, ADM, Roquette, and Glanbia collectively account for approximately 10% of the market, with the remainder split among regional and specialized manufacturers. Other profiled companies include International Flavors & Fragrances, BASF, Arla Foods, Ingredion, Tate & Lyle, Novonesis, and Associated British Foods.
Acquisitions target protein, postbiotic, and nutrition manufacturing capabilities
In January 2026, Glanbia acquired India-based Scicore Nutra for an initial USD 15.1 million, with deferred consideration of up to USD 1.3 million, adding nutritional manufacturing capacity to its Health & Nutrition segment. Arla Foods Ingredients completed its acquisition of Volac's Whey Nutrition business in November 2024, transferring the Felinfach manufacturing site and whey protein operations. dsm-firmenich closed its acquisition of French postbiotic developer Adare Biome in July 2023 for an enterprise value of EUR 275 million (USD 299 million), strengthening applications in dietary supplements, early-life and medical nutrition, and animal health.
Fresh capital flows into fermentation and fiber production
EVANIUM raised EUR 2.2 million (USD 2.6 million) in seed funding in April 2026, led by FoodLabs and Feast Ventures, to scale its OPTISOLV technology and fund clinical studies and commercial partnerships. Tate & Lyle opened new PROMITOR Soluble Fibres capacity in Boleráz, Slovakia in May 2024 after a EUR 25 million (USD 27.1 million) investment. Fonterra invested USD 10 million in Pendulum Therapeutics in June 2023 to co-develop microbiome-based nutrition products.
Plant-based sourcing retains largest share on clean-label demand
Plant-derived ingredients continue to hold the largest source-segment share, supported by consumer preference for natural, clean-label products and growing vegan and flexitarian diets. Manufacturers are drawing on fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, algae, and medicinal plants to supply bioactive compounds including polyphenols, flavonoids, and phytosterols.