Global Cow Milk Protein Allergy Market Analysis By Type, Product Type, By End User, By Distribution Channel, By-Global Forecast Analysis 2025-2032

Introduction

The global cow milk protein allergy market size has reached a market value of approximately USD 1.83 billion in 2024, with a projected CAGR of 6.2% from 2025 to 2032. Cow milk protein allergy (CMPA), or CMA, is one of the most commonly found food allergies among infants. CMPA is caused by the immune system recognising a protein found in cow milk as a harmful substance, which then leads to an allergic reaction. Unlike lactose intolerance, CMPA reacts to only certain kinds of proteins found in cow's milk. It usually occurs in babies who are younger than 1 year. There are two types of allergic reactions to cow milk proteins: IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated. According to Allergy UK, Cow milk allergy is one of the common types of food allergy among infants under one and affects around 7% of babies, although most of them outgrow it by the age of 3-5 years or if it persists, by later childhood or adulthood. The industry for CMPA is anticipated to grow at a rapid pace owing to the growing awareness, increasing incidence of CMA among infants, and improved diagnostic capabilities, resulting in to higher number of cases being identified and tested. Furthermore, companies are also taking initiatives to develop formulas that are highly effective for CMPA treatment.

Key Highlights

• The global cow milk protein allergy market value of around USD 1.83 billion in 2024 due to the increasing number of products in the market and growing number of diagnosed cases globally.
• IgE-mediated CMPA is anticipated to lead the market in terms of market share due to the large number of diagnosed cases worldwide.
• Amino Acid-Based Formulas (AAFs) are expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.3% from 2025 to 2032. The rapid growth of this segment can be projected owing to the growing demand for hypoallergenic products for infants in the industry.
• The Asia-Pacific region holds a higher market share of 34.5% in 2024, driven by the growing number of diagnosed cases and the rising number of products in the market.

Market Dynamics

Increasing awareness has led to a rising number of diagnosed cases is surging the demand for CMPA products

Growing initiatives by the government have led to rising awareness among parents to test infants for CMPA, subsequently driving the demand for CMPA products. CMPA is one of the prevalent food allergies among infants and has an incidence rate of 0.5% - 7%, varying from region to region. The heightening of awareness has also increased the number of diagnosed cases that previously were undiagnosed. Companies such as Nestl Health Science have introduced tools such as Cows Milk-related Symptom Score (CoMiSS), a simple, fast and easy-to-use awareness tool that can be used by healthcare professionals for diagnosis of cow milk allergy symptoms. Increasing diagnoses have led to a rapid demand for CMPA products that can meet the specialised nutritional solutions of the infants. Leading players in the market are offering various extensively hydrolyzed formulas and amino acid-based formulas that are tailored to meet the specific requirements of infants with CMPA. Continued growth of awareness among parents is anticipated to create more and more demand in the years to come.

An underserved and growing CMPA allergy market is creating new opportunities

Despite the growing global demand, the CMPA market remains underserved due to a lack of awareness. The demand for products that are allergy free has soared in the past few years. According to a report published by McKinsey & Company, around 25% of U.S. consumers were seeking products that are allergy-free free which has led to increasing demand for such food products. This gap between the number of products available in the market and consumer needs is creating new opportunities in the CMPA market. New companies are testing their products to determine if they are safe to be consumed by infants with cow milk allergy. For instance, HiPP, a company that manufactures organic food products for kids conducted a study in 2023 to determine if their product HiPP HA COMBIOTIC could be suitable for infants for the prevention and therapy of cows milk protein allergy. Such initiatives by companies can increase the number of products in the market and create new avenues for new upcoming players in the CMPA industry globally.

Global CMPA Market Segmentation

By Type

• IgE-mediated
• Non-IgE mediated

IgE-mediated segment is expected to hold the largest market share in 2024 and continue to dominate the market during the forecast period. One of the key factors that is contributing to the growth of this segment is due to the nature of the IgE-mediated allergic reaction, as it can be immediately visible post the ingestion of cow's milk. The ease of diagnosis is the major factor that is aiding the growth of the segment. It can also be diagnosed easily by healthcare professionals with the help of skin prick tests and serum-specific IgE assays, as immediate responses are possible and they are highly accurate.

Non-IgE mediated CMPA is projected to grow with the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Companies initiatives for R&D of tests that can be used for diagnosing the condition have aided the growing number of diagnosed cases of Non-IgE mediated CMPA among infants. This, along with the growing awareness, is expected to fuel the cow milk protein allergy market growth in the projected period.

By Product Type

• Extensively Hydrolyzed Formulas (eHFs)
• Amino Acid-Based Formulas (AAFs)
• Soy-Based Formulas
• Rice-Based Formulas
• Other Hypoallergenic Products

Extensively Hydrolyzed Formulas (eHFs) led the market in terms of market share, owing to the easy availability in the market and the high demand for these products among parents. Moreover, growing awareness regarding the products and strong clinical efficacy are among the key factors that are contributing to the growth of the cow milk allergy protein industry. Additionally, the lower cost of these products also makes them highly affordable by consumers, in turn increasing their sales in developed as well as developing countries.

Amino Acid-Based Formulas (AAFs) are likely to be the fastest-growing segment during 2025-2032. AAFs are made up of specific amino acids, which makes them completely non-allergic and suitable for infants and children having cow milk allergy. The segment's growth is also increased due to the growing number of severe cow milk allergy protein diagnoses and heightened awareness of the need for more specialised nutrient options.

By End Users

• Infants (0-12 months)
• Toddlers (1-3 years)
• Children (Above 3 years)

Infants in the 0-12months age group hold the largest market share in the CMPA market, as cow milk allergy is presented in the first year of life. According to various studies conducted worldwide, infants below 1 year of age have a higher incidence rate. It has been estimated that 2% - 3% of infants below 1 year of age have cow milk allergy. Furthermore, routine pediatric screening, infant-focused product development, and parental awareness contribute to the higher demand for CMPA products.

The toddler (1-3 years) is emerging as the fastest-growing segment in the CMPA market. Many children do not outgrow CMPA in the first year and need to maintain the diet that is suitable for CMPA kids. It is not only necessary to maintain the dietary restriction, but also prolonged use of hypoallergenic or dairy-free alternatives. Expanded product offerings tailored for older children that are available in the market are also fueling the growth of the cow milk allergy protein market.

By Distribution Channel

• Hospital Pharmacies
• Retail Pharmacies
• Online Pharmacies
• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets

The pharmacy held the largest market share in the CMPA distribution channel in 2024. This dominance can be attributed to the critical role of the higher need for dietary management for CMPA infants and children. Moreover, pharmacies have a curated range of products that are most commonly medically recommended, ensuring trust and access to regulated products. Owing to this nature of pharmacies, parents normally prefer buying such specific products from pharmacies.

Online retail is the fastest-growing segment in the cow milk protein allergy market during the projected period. Parents as well as caregivers are gradually turning towards digital platforms for the ease of home delivery, larger product range, competitive pricing, and subscription-based buying options. Online marketplaces also cater to buyers globally, which also provides parents a much wider product selection option, making it a preferred mode of purchasing products in this faster-moving world.

Global CMPA Market Regional Analysis

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Asia Pacific holds the largest market share in 2024, owing to the increasing birth rate in countries such as China and India, as well as the rising prevalence of cow milk allergy. The demand for hypoallergenic infant formulas is increasing due to rising diagnoses of previously undiagnosed cases and rising healthcare expenditure. Moreover, the ease of availability of CMPA products in hospitals and retail pharmacies is also aiding the growth of the cow milk protein allergy industry. Similarly, growing government initiatives for infant and child care, coupled with growing partnerships with companies to create awareness, are also anticipated to boost the CMPA market growth in the years to come.

North America is estimated to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth in this region can be supported by the advanced healthcare infrastructure that aids the diagnosis and higher awareness among parents & caregivers. Furthermore, a stronger presence of key players in this region and the availability of products are also anticipated to propel the cow milk protein allergy market in this region in the coming years.

Europe remains a mature and third-largest growing market and is expected to maintain its position during the forecast period. Well-established regulatory framework and high demand for extensively hydrolyzed and amino acid-based formulas are the key market driving factors. South America and the Middle East & Africa are experiencing comparatively slow-paced growth, and the growth in these regions is driven by improved healthcare access, urbanisation, and expanding retail networks. Nevertheless, affordability and limited awareness act as challenges in these regions.

Prominent Players in the Market

• Nestl Health Science
• Nutricia (Danone Group company)
• Mead Johnson & Company, LLC
• Abbott
• Pharmalys
• Novalac
• Sanulac Nutritionals Australia Pty Ltd
• Pristine Organics Pvt Ltd
• ViPlus Dairy
• Hero Group

Key players in the cow milk protein allergy market are adopting various strategies, including product innovations, new product launches, and strategic alliances or partnerships. Moreover, companies are also focusing on expanding their product availability in various regions to strengthen their global presence. Nestl Health Science, Nutricia (Danone), and Abbott are also heavily investing the R&D and clinical testing of their products to constantly stay ahead in the marketplace. Other smaller players are focusing on providing organic or plant-based products to meet the growing demand.

Research Methodology

At Stats and Research, we adopt a rigorous, data-driven methodology to ensure our market research reports provide accurate, reliable, and actionable insights. Our structured approach combines both qualitative and quantitative research techniques, utilizing advanced data analytics, statistical modelling, and market intelligence tools to offer well-rounded perspectives on the market.

Our research process follows four key stages:

1. Research and Data Collection

Our data collection is based on a comprehensive, three-pillar approach:

Primary Research: We directly engage with industry leaders, executives, product managers, investors, distributors, regulatory bodies, and end-users. This is done through structured interviews, surveys, and consultations to gather real-time insights.

Secondary Research: We examine secondary data sources like company financials, government reports, regulatory filings, investor presentations, whitepapers, trade association reports, and industry publications to build a foundational understanding of the market.

Product or Services Mapping: We analyze product portfolios, service offerings, and revenue breakdowns across global, regional, and local levels. This helps us assess market share, product penetration, and competitive positioning, identifying industry trends and growth opportunities.

Key Data Sources:

Government and International Databases: OECD, FAO, IMF, World Bank, WTO, National Statistics Bureaus, etc.

Industry Journals & Publications: Technium, Science, MDPI, MarketLine, ResearchGate, etc.

Company Reports: Annual reports, press releases, investor briefings, regulatory disclosures, etc.

Trade Associations & Market Intelligence Databases: Insights from financial institutions, manufacturing groups, and professional bodies.

This comprehensive approach ensures that our findings are grounded in credible and verified data sources.

2. Data Pre-Processing and Standardization

In this stage, we focus on ensuring data accuracy and consistency through:

Data Refinement: We identify and resolve gaps, inconsistencies, and anomalies in the collected data to ensure its completeness and reliability.

Standardization: Data is converted into uniform formats and measurement units, enabling seamless comparison across regions, products, and segments.

This meticulous preparation ensures that the data used in our analysis is clean, validated, and optimized for precise market analysis.

3. Market Estimation and Forecasting

Our market estimation model combines both Top-Down and Bottom-Up approaches to ensure a well-rounded and validated market assessment:

Top-Down Approach: We begin with macro-level estimations of market size, breaking it down by region, industry segment, and product category, using key economic indicators and market dynamics.

Bottom-Up Approach: We aggregate data from individual companies, product categories, and regional markets to ensure micro-level accuracy in our estimates.

Each forecast model is customized to the specific characteristics of the market, guaranteeing precision in future projections.

4. Quality Assurance and Validation

To ensure the highest level of data accuracy and reliability, our research undergoes multiple layers of validation:

Data Triangulation: We cross-verify insights from both primary and secondary sources to ensure consistency and reliability.

Expert Review Panels: We collaborate with industry professionals and market analysts to validate our findings and methodologies.

Client & Stakeholder Feedback: We ensure that the research findings align with the needs and expectations of our clients and stakeholders.

Plausibility & Consistency Checks: We perform historical data validation and time-series tests to ensure the logical consistency of our market estimates.

This rigorous validation process guarantees that our insights are credible, precise, and actionable.

Conclusion

By combining structured data collection, robust estimation methods, and comprehensive validation, our methodology ensures that we deliver high-quality, accurate market insights tailored to meet the specific needs of our clients.