Global Medical Nutrition Market 2012-2016

Introduction to the Market

Medical or clinical nutrition is the nourishment or aliment given to people who are not able to obtain essential nutrients from ingested food or through body processes. Nutrition forms an important link between diet, health, and disease. The essential nutrients that a person should include in the diet are vitamins, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and minerals in the required quantities. Medical nutrition helps to treat and control several diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, GI diseases, cancer, and kidney diseases through the supply of essential nutrients for the optimal functioning of various organs of the body. Medical nutrition is available in the form of liquids, powders, tablets, injections, or foods such as yogurt and probiotics. 

Market Overview

The Global Medical Nutrition market is expected to grow at a steady pace, clocking a CAGR of 6.7 percent during the period 2012–2016. The market was dominated by the Americas in 2012, followed by the EMEA region and the APAC region. One of the main drivers in this market is a marked increase in the incidence and prevalence of various diseases and illnesses globally. Further, the increasing aging population worldwide, which is in need of medical nutrition products to treat various diseases and conditions, is contributing to the growth of the market. However, one of the major challenges in this market is the unfavorable reimbursement regulations imposed by the government in various countries. The lack of standardization in reimbursement norms for medical nutrition products has rendered these products unaffordable to price-conscious consumers.

Regional Overview

The Global Medical Nutrition market was dominated by the Americas, followed by the EMEA region and the APAC region. The US represents the largest regional market for medical nutrition products in the Americas due to the increasing availability of innovative products and the growing aging population. In the EMEA region, Europe represents the largest market for medical nutrition products. Within Europe, Germany and the UK are expected to drive the growth of the market mainly because of the increasing aged population and the growing number of people suffering from health disorders. The high demand for medical nutrition products in Australia, China, and India are driving the growth of the market in the APAC region.

Exhibit 1:  Global Medical Nutrition Market by Geographical Segmentation (percentage) 2012

 

Source: TechNavio Analysis

 

Exhibit 2:  Global Medical Nutrition Market by Country Segmentation (Percentage) 2012

 

Source: TechNavio Analysis

Product Segmentation Overview

The Global Medical Nutrition market is categorized into three product segments—Infant Nutrition, Parenteral Nutrition, and Enteral Nutrition.

The Global Infant Nutrition market has been witnessing steady growth during the last decade. The main factors driving the increasing adoption of infant nutrition products are innovation involving novel health ingredients, organic infant formulas and foods, as well as convenient and attractive packaging. 

The Specialized segment is the fastest growing segment in the Global Enteral Nutrition market. The growing consumer awareness about health foods and wellness products is driving the growth of this market during the forecast period.

Parenteral nutrition is nutrition that is delivered to patients intravenously, bypassing the usual process of ingestion and digestion. The Global Parenteral Nutrition market incudes the following product segments:

• Amino Acid-based Products

• Dextrose-based Products

• Fat-based Products 

• Additives-based Products

The Global Parenteral Nutrition market is currently faced with challenges in the form of stringent federal regulations in the US and lack of research breakthroughs for new products.

Exhibit 3:  Global Medical Nutrition Market by Product Segmentation-2012

 

Source: TechNavio Analysis

Vendor Landscape

The Global Medical Nutrition market has many growth opportunities mainly because of the increasing awareness about health, nutrition, and diet among people. Hence, food product manufacturers are trying to develop new products with added health ingredients. The vendors in the market are adopting an effective marketing and promotional strategy, and are providing quality products that meet consumers' expectations.

The Global Medical Nutrition market includes a large number of small and large vendors. Groupe Danone S.A., Nestlé Group, General Mills Inc., Abbott Laboratories, Pfizer Inc., Mead Johnson and Company, and Fresenius Kabi AG are some of the leading vendors in the market. The increasing number of mergers and acquisitions in the market is changing the market share composition frequently. In April 2012, Nestlé acquired Pfizer's Infant Nutrition business for US$11.85 billion. The acquisition is expected to boost Nestlé’s presence in the Infant Nutrition market in China, since Pfizer had a major presence in that country.

Key questions answered in this report:

• What will the market size be in 2016 and what will be the growth rate?

• What are key market trends?

• What are the factors driving the growth of the market?

• What are the challenges hindering market growth?

• Who are the key vendors in this market?

• What are the market opportunities and threats faced by key vendors?

• What are the strengths and weaknesses of each of these key vendors?

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