The global market for lactoferrin is likely to witness exponential growth in the coming years owing to its numerous health-based benefits, increasing density of gyms and physical training institutes, and high product usage in other application avenues such as F&B, pharmaceuticals, and infant formula among others.

Lactoferrin is a protein commonly found in milk from cows and humans. It is also found in numerous other fluids in the human body like bile, mucus, tears, and saliva. The protein is found in the huge amounts in colostrum, the very first breast milk that is usually produced after a baby is born.

The global market for lactoferrin is bifurcated into different segments in terms of product, form, source, function, application, distribution channel, and regional landscape.

Based on form, the market is classified powder, capsules, and others. The others segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% over the forecast time period.

With respect to source, the market for lactoferrin is categorized into animal milk, human milk, rice flour and others. The animal milk segment is further classified into ovine milk, caprine milk, porcine milk, and bovine milk. Among these, porcine milk segment is expected to reach a valuation of over $4 million by the end of 2027. Caprine milk segment is likely to exceed approximately $8 million by the end of the analysis period.

Meanwhile, the ovine milk segment is expected to witness around 4.3% CAGR through the analysis time period. The others segment is expected to reach more than $0.5 million by the end of 2027.

Based on function, the overall lactoferrin market is bifurcated into antioxidant, immune cell stimulation, antibacterial, intestinal flora protection, anti-inflammatory, and iron absorption. In 2020, the intestinal flora protection segment was valued at more than $20 million and is slated to grow at a CAGR of more than 6.9% over the projected time period.

Lactoferrin is widely known to protect against gastroenteritis. It is also known to protect infants from gastrointestinal infection by stopping the attachment by enteropathogens in the gut.

The antioxidant segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6% over the forthcoming time period. Lactoferrin has numerous antioxidant properties and in combination with other antioxidants has resulted in reducing inflammatory cell infiltration in eyes.

In terms of application, the lactoferrin market is segmented in terms of animal feed, cosmetic & personal care products, pharmaceuticals, sports & functional food, infant formula, food & beverage products, and others. In 2020, the animal feed application segment was valued at over $8.4 million and is anticipated to grow at 7% CAGR over the analysis timeline. The others application segment is slated to grow at a CAGR of more than 5.4% over the projected time period.

With respect to distribution channel, the industry landscape is divided in terms of nutrition and health food store, online, drugstore, hypermarket/supermarket, and others which includes specialty stores and convenience stores. Among these, the drugstore segment is projected to witness a 5% CAGR over the forecast time period.

The others segment is expected to witness healthy growth over the forecast period owing to increasing popularity of gyms and physical training institutes.

From a regional frame of reference, LATAM region was valued at more than $12.5 million and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of more than 5.7% throughout the review period.

Meanwhile, the lactoferrin market in Middle East & Africa is expected to reach a valuation of more than $11.5 million by the end of the analysis timeline.