Most of the reputed biggies in probiotics market, in conjunction with renowned life science companies, have been making hefty investments in recent times to carry out innovative research activities in the domain of probiotics. One of the leading biotechnology companies, OptiBiotix for instance, recently signed an agreement with the IPA (International Probiotics Association) in order to share updates regarding any upcoming advances and new product developments in the field of probiotics. In addition, the firm also looks forward to expanding its business scope in probiotics industry by means of strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical companies.
U.S. Probiotics Market Size, By End-Use, 2017 & 2024 (Kilo Tons)
It has been observed that probiotics integrated with animal feed additives have significant impact on animal health and has the capability to prevent and control enteric pathogens, which has provided a boost to probiotics market growth from the animal feed sector. The growing concern about the declining usage of AGPs in animal feed along with surging development of probiotic product manufacturing for animal nutrition will further push probiotics market share over the years ahead.
How the regulatory injunction in antibiotics industry may stimulate probiotics market trends
It has been observed that regulatory organizations have enforced a ban on the use of antibiotics for promoting the health of animals – a fact that has proven to be quite beneficial for probiotics industry. The WHO, for example, has mandated food industries and farmers to eliminate the deployment of antibiotics for preventing diseases in healthy livestock. In many countries, a whopping 80% of antibiotics has been consumed for medical purposes across the animal sector.
Unfortunately though, the escalating use of antibiotics in humans and animals leads to increasing threats of antibiotic resistance - at present in fact, some of the bacteria may have already developed resistance to most of the available treatments. Subsequently, this may have a heavy impact on probiotics industry. In the U.S., yearly, more than twenty thousand people fall prey to antibiotic resistance infection. In this regard, WHO’s recommendation has helped reduce the deployment of antibiotics for animal feed, which has indirectly helped propel the sales graph of probiotics market.
Currently, many countries have already enforced a ban on the usage of antibiotics in food-producing livestock. Many food chains have also been manufacturing antibiotic-free meat in order to fulfil the growing consumer demand for meat without the regular use of antibiotics. In essence, probiotics have come to be used as a viable alternative for antibiotics to improve the health of animals and prevent diseases, thereby massively increasing probiotics market size from animal feed. As per estimates, probiotics industry share from animal feed applications is expected to register a CAGR of 8% over 2018-2024, driven by the extensive demand for meat and poultry products.
As per a recent research study, it has been detected that probiotics can be potentially used in the diagnosis and prevention of colon cancer. In fact, a mixture of probiotics and broccoli can be used as key component for treating and preventing colorectal cancer. A survey carried out by the American Cancer Society reveals that colon cancer is one of the most commonly occurring types of cancer, primarily among the adults in U.S. – estimates claim that a total of 50,260 deaths had been projected in 2017 due to colorectal cancer. The increasing risk associated with colorectal cancer will thus stimulate product demand, propelling probiotics market share.
The research study has even brought to light that in adult mice, the lack of histidine decarboxylase (HDC) enzymes led to the development of colorectal cancer owing to inflammation of bowels. However, with the use of probiotics, the microbe causing tumor can apparently be prevented very effectively. This observation has led to probiotics industry biggies striving toward manufacturing more numbers of probiotic based medicinal formulae. With a rapid rise in the prevalence of colon cancer and the increasing requirement of a suitable treatment drug, probiotics industry share indeed, would observe a major stimulus ahead.
In order to expand their business scope beyond the regional borders, several well-known players in probiotics market have been establishing partnerships with pharmaceutical companies. OptiBiotix, for example, has signed an agreement with the Spain based pharmaceutical firm, Galenicum to commercialize its products across Peru, Middle East, Spain, and Chile for treating health issues like cholesterol and blood pressure. Galenicum’s impressive portfolio may help OptiBiotix to commercialize its LP-LDL very effectively.
At present, certain issues related to the packaging of probiotics stands as one of the major problems for most of the participants in probiotics market. While efforts are being undertaken to combat the packaging issues, in order to encourage industry giants to develop effective packaging solutions, several global packaging communities have also been organizing various tech promotional programs. For instance, in 2017, the WPO (World Packaging Organization) awarded the WorldStar Food-category award to ProAmpac, that designed a flexible food pouch for probiotic rich food and beverages. In the ensuing years, it is expected that extensive R&D programs would give rise to suitable packaging solutions that would eliminate this restraint of probiotics market. Efficient packaging solutions would also lead to the improvement of the product’s shelf life, gradually impelling the growth of probiotics industry.