Casein Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented by Product Type (Rennet Casein Vs. Acid Casein), By End Use (Food and Beverages, Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics, Industrial and Others (Animal Feed, Dietary Supplements, etc.)), By Region, By Competition 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 3.73 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	4.72%
Fastest Growing Segment	Pharmaceuticals
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 4.92 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Casein Market will grow from USD 3.73 Billion in 2025 to USD 4.92 Billion by 2031 at a 4.72% CAGR. Casein serves as the primary phosphoprotein found in mammalian milk, functioning as a vital binding agent and nutritional ingredient across the food, pharmaceutical, and industrial sectors. The market’s expansion is fundamentally supported by the escalating global demand for high-protein clinical nutrition and infant formulas, alongside the ingredient's extensive utility in functional food applications and industrial adhesives. According to the European Dairy Association, in 2024, the volume of skim milk allocated for casein production within the European Union was estimated at approximately 5.7 million tonnes.

Conversely, a significant challenge impeding steady market progression is the volatility of raw milk prices, which creates supply chain uncertainty and fluctuates production costs for manufacturers. This price instability often compels end-users to seek lower-cost plant-based alternatives, thereby constraining potential volume growth in price-sensitive regions.

Key Market Drivers

The expansion of the sports nutrition and weight management sectors acts as a primary catalyst for the Global Casein Market. Casein is highly valued in this domain for its unique slow-digesting properties, which provide a sustained release of amino acids essential for prolonged muscle recovery and satiety. This functional characteristic makes it a preferred ingredient in ready-to-drink shakes, protein powders, and meal replacement bars designed for athletes and health-conscious consumers. Emphasizing this broad trend, according to Arla Foods Ingredients, in 2024, United States sales of products featured with a high dairy protein content grew by 17%, reflecting a substantial consumer shift toward fortified nutrition. Consequently, major industry players are capitalizing on this trajectory; according to Glanbia plc, February 2024, in the '2023 Full Year Results', the company’s flagship performance nutrition brand, Optimum Nutrition, delivered a like-for-like revenue growth of 17.0% driven by strong demand for protein-enriched products.

Simultaneously, the growing demand for infant formula and baby food significantly propels market uptake, as casein is fundamental in replicating the nutritional profile of human breast milk. Manufacturers increasingly utilize caseinates and micellar casein to optimize the casein-to-whey ratio in formulas, ensuring proper digestibility and nutrient absorption for infants. This sector's expansion is further bolstered by the parallel adoption of specialized clinical nutrition products for aging populations and medical patients requiring high-quality protein liquid diets. According to Abbott, January 2024, in the 'Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2023 Results', the company reported that global sales for its Pediatric Nutrition division increased by 11.8% on a reported basis, underscoring the robust global consumption of formula-based products. This sustained reliance on dairy-based proteins for essential early-life and medical nutrition ensures a stable industrial requirement for high-purity casein ingredients.

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Key Market Challenges

The volatility of raw milk prices represents a substantial barrier to the consistent development of the global casein market. Since raw milk is the sole feedstock for casein extraction, any fluctuation in its cost structure directly impacts the final pricing of casein products. When milk prices surge due to variable feed costs, adverse weather conditions, or seasonal production dips, casein manufacturers face immediate increases in operational expenditures. These costs are often passed down the supply chain, making it difficult for end-users in the food and industrial sectors to secure long-term contracts or forecast their procurement budgets accurately. Consequently, this unpredictability creates hesitation among buyers who rely on stable input costs for their own pricing strategies.

This financial instability frequently compels price-sensitive manufacturers to substitute casein with plant-based alternatives, such as soy or pea protein, which often offer more predictable pricing models. This shift is particularly evident when the premium for dairy-derived ingredients becomes difficult to justify in cost-competitive applications like industrial adhesives or mass-market nutrition products. According to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, in 2024, the average UK farmgate milk price exhibited significant instability, rising from approximately 37.4 pence per litre in March to 45.2 pence per litre by October. Such sharp variances in the baseline commodity cost force casein suppliers to adjust their margins constantly, thereby stifling potential volume growth in regions where price stability is a determining factor for ingredient selection.

Key Market Trends

The commercialization of edible and biodegradable packaging represents a transformative trend in the Global Casein Market, driven by the industrial shift toward sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics. Manufacturers are increasingly leveraging casein’s superior oxygen barrier properties and film-forming capabilities to create water-soluble packaging solutions for food, detergent, and cosmetic applications. This innovation not only addresses environmental regulations regarding plastic waste but also adds functional value by extending the shelf life of perishable goods through natural protective coatings. Highlighting this industrial momentum, according to Lactips, November 2024, in a corporate press release, the company raised €16 million in new capital specifically to accelerate the industrial production and global commercialization of its casein-based natural polymers.

Simultaneously, the market is witnessing a distinct expansion of product lines focused exclusively on A2 beta-casein, differentiating these offerings from standard dairy ingredients based on genetic protein profiles. This trend is fueled by growing consumer awareness regarding the digestive differences between A1 and A2 beta-casein variants, with the latter being marketed as a gut-friendly alternative that prevents the release of inflammatory peptides during digestion. This specificity has allowed brands to premiumize their portfolios, particularly within the infant formula and liquid milk segments, by catering to consumers seeking enhanced gastrointestinal comfort. Emphasizing this growth trajectory, according to The a2 Milk Company, August 2024, in the 'FY24 Results and Annual Report', the company delivered a total revenue increase of 5.2% year-on-year, driven by robust demand for its specialized beta-casein protein products.

Segmental Insights

The Pharmaceuticals segment is currently the fastest-growing category within the Global Casein Market due to the expanding application of casein in medication formulation and clinical nutrition. Caseinates are increasingly utilized as effective excipients and stabilizing agents in various drug delivery systems because of their favorable binding properties and rich amino acid profile. Furthermore, the designation of casein as Generally Recognized As Safe by the United States Food and Drug Administration encourages its widespread adoption in therapeutic products. Rising global demand for protein-enriched dietary supplements and medical-grade nutrition further accelerates the expansion of this segment.

Regional Insights

North America holds the leading position in the global casein market, driven by robust demand for functional foods and dietary supplements. The United States significantly contributes to this dominance due to the established consumption of protein-enriched products among health-conscious consumers. A primary factor facilitating this market strength is the favorable regulatory landscape; specifically, the United States Food and Drug Administration classifies casein as Generally Recognized As Safe. This validation encourages manufacturers to incorporate the ingredient into diverse applications, including dairy products and infant nutrition, ensuring steady regional expansion.

Recent Developments

• In May 2025, Fonterra, a global dairy cooperative, launched a new digital sales platform designed to provide regional ingredient buyers in the United States and Europe with direct access to its dairy products. The e-commerce channel enabled customers in the United States to purchase specific dairy ingredients, including caseins and caseinates, directly from regional warehouses. This initiative was part of the company's broader strategy to enhance service efficiency and offer self-service options for procuring high-value ingredients. The platform was introduced to streamline the supply chain and improve accessibility for manufacturers requiring specialized milk proteins for various nutritional and functional applications.
• In July 2024, Fooditive Group, a fermented ingredient manufacturer, formed a strategic global partnership with Leprino Foods, the world's largest mozzarella cheese producer, to commercialize animal-free casein. Under this long-term licensing agreement, the dairy giant secured exclusive worldwide rights to manufacture and market the novel casein for use in cheese applications, alongside non-exclusive rights for other food categories. The collaboration focused on utilizing precision fermentation technology to produce casein that mimics the functionality of traditional dairy protein, intending to meet the increasing global demand for sustainable and ethical food alternatives.
• In February 2024, New Culture, a precision fermentation dairy company, achieved a major regulatory milestone by securing self-affirmed Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status for its animal-free casein. This development represented the first instance of a casein protein produced without animal involvement being determined safe for consumption in the United States market. The company confirmed that its bioidentical casein matches the macro-nutritional profile of cow-derived protein, allowing for the production of mozzarella cheese with melting and stretching qualities comparable to conventional dairy, which paved the way for its planned commercial launch in pizzerias.
• In January 2024, Pureture, a biotechnology company based in the United States, entered into its first commercial partnership with Namyang Dairy Products, a prominent South Korean dairy manufacturer. This strategic collaboration was established to incorporate the biotech firm's yeast-derived, plant-based casein into the dairy producer's portfolio, facilitating the development of clean-label alternative dairy offerings. The partnership aimed to validate the functional capabilities of the non-GMO casein, which is produced through a liquid fermentation process, demonstrating its ability to replicate the nutritional profile and emulsifying properties of traditional milk proteins without relying on animal inputs.

Key Market Players

• Arla Foods AMBA
• Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited
• Kerry Group plc
• Lacto Japan Co., Ltd.
• Royal FrieslandCampina N.V.
• Saputo Inc.
• Savencia Fromage & Dairy
• Climax Foods
• Archer-Daniels-Midland Company
• Glanbia PLC

By End Use	By Region
Food and Beverages Pharmaceuticals Cosmetics Industrial and Others (Animal Feed, Dietary Supplements, etc.)	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Casein Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Casein Market, By End Use:

• Food and Beverages
• Pharmaceuticals
• Cosmetics
• Industrial and Others (Animal Feed, Dietary Supplements, etc.)

• Casein Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE