Enteral nutrition is a process of providing nourishment to an individual’s gastrointestinal tract via tube feeding. It involves delivering liquid formula that contains vital nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals into the stomach or small intestine. Enteral nutrition helps patients who cannot meet their nutritional needs through oral diet alone due to various medical reasons such as neurological disorders, cancer, gastrointestinal tract abnormalities, and others. It is often used for short-term management of acute illness and long-term management of chronic conditions that impair oral intake.
The global enteral nutrition market is estimated to be valued at US$ 3.1 Bn in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.8% over the forecast period 2023 to 2030. Rising prevalence of chronic diseases where nutritional support is necessary, growing elderly population worldwide, increasing incidence of preterm births leading to greater demand for pediatric enteral nutrition and technological advancements in enteral formulas and administration equipment are some of the key factors expected to drive market growth.
Key Takeaways
Key players operating in the enteral nutrition market are Abbott, Nestlé S.A., Danone S.A., Fresenius Kabi AG, Mead Johnson & Company, LLC, Braun Melsungen AG, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd., Bahrain Pharma, Bionova Lifesciences, Global Health Products Inc., Victus Inc., Curtis Health Caps SP.
Key opportunities in the market include rising demand for disease-specific and organ-specific feeds due to growing focus on customized nutrition. Technological advancements are leading to development of innovative feeding tubes, pumps and administration sets for safer and more comfortable enteral feeding.
Market drivers
Rising prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, neurological disorders, etc. where enteral nutrition plays a vital supportive role is a major market driver. Growing elderly population worldwide also contributes to market growth as nutritional requirements vary with aging. According to the UN, the number of people aged 65 years and above is projected to grow from 703 million in 2019 to 1.5 billion in 2050. Thus, aging population base is expanding the market scope.
Current Challenges in Enteral Nutrition Market
The enteral nutrition market is facing quite a few challenges currently. One of the major challenge is maintaining good patient compliance. Feeding tubes are often difficult to use and carry for patients, leading to irregular intakes. This impacts recovery. Another issue is clogged or displaced feeding tubes. This is quite common and often requires replacement of tubes. This increases healthcare costs and inconvenience to patients. High costs of enteral nutrition products and feeding accessories is also a barrier for many patients. This prevents adequate and timely nutrition support. Lack of reimbursement policies in some regions further adds to cost burdens. More awareness is needed regarding enteral nutrition benefits as traditional oral nutrition is still preferred in some cases.
SWOT Analysis
Strength: Easy to administer nutritional support directly to GI tract; Reduces burden on digestive system; Provides balanced macro and micronutrients for healing.
Weakness: Feeding tubes need special care; Risk of infections, leaks and blockages; Complex nutritional requirements difficult to fully meet.
Opportunity: Growing geriatric population drives demand; Increasing uptake in home healthcare; New product innovations for convenience.
Threats: High costs are barrier for many patients; Reimbursement policies inadequate in some markets; Traditional oral feeding still preferred in some cases.
The enteral nutrition market in North America currently accounts for the largest share in terms of value. This is primarily due to availability of advanced products, widespread reimbursement coverage and increasing prevalence of chronic disorders. The U.S. is the major revenue generator within the region. Asia Pacific is projected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period owing to improving healthcare infrastructure, rising medical tourism and expanding patient pool in countries like China and India. Latin America and Middle East & Africa also offer lucrative opportunities for market players.
Europe is another prominent regional market for enteral nutrition and the growth is supported by presence of leading manufacturers, rising incidence of malnutrition and ageing population. However high penetration achieved already presents a limiting factor compared to other emerging regions with development headroom.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
