Probiota Americas 2019

Data shows probiotic supplement sales entering slow growth phase

This content item was originally published on www.nutraingredients-usa.com, a William Reed online publication.

By Hank Schultz

- Last updated on GMT

Euromonitor has seen a definite softening of the market for probiotic supplements, according to data presented at the recent Probiota Americas 2019 meeting.

The event, which is put on by NutraIngredients-USA in concert with the International Probiotics Association, featured sessions on marketing and science.  It included a presentation by Matthew Oster, manager of consumer health for Euromonitor, on the size and trend of the market.

There are a number of data services that try to put a size on the market for probiotics.  Unlike some competitors, Euromonitor can capture data specific only to probiotic supplements, whereas some other services include yogurts and other functional foods within the category of probiotic products, using more of a functional description of the product’s benefits rather than its dosage form.

Perception high; sales, not so much

Oster said the curious thing about the probiotic market in the United States is that the perception of the category on the part of consumers appears never to have been higher.  More and more consumers are aware of what probiotics are and what they can do, and seem to believe the message, if survey results can be believed.

But the market numbers tell a different story, he said.

“Starting in 2016 and in every subsequent quarter we seen a slowing down of growth in the sales of probiotic supplements in the US,”​ Oster said during his formal presentation.

“In 2019 we saw the first negative quarter. We are now unequivocally in a slow growth setting,” ​he said.

Cannibalization among delivery forms

Oster said the chief reason for the slowing of supplement sales appears to be cannibalization from other forms. In that regard, consumers seem to view probiotics in the functional way that some of the other data services do, in other words, they’ll use the product that gives them the best results, regardless of whether its a functional food or a supplement.

“As consumers are trying to engage with these products they will generally go for the easiest products to understand,” ​Oster said.

Oster said postulated several ways in which the market could go in the future. Do the recent soft quarters presage a steady decline in probiotic supplement sales? In his view that’s unlikely.

“I think the most likely scenario is that this is temporary. There is continued interest in the microbiome. This has primarily been a digestive health category, but there are new areas, like psychobiotics, that will stimulate growth in the future,”​ he said.

Related news

Show more

Related products

show more

Whitepaper: Discover a new era in postbiotics

Whitepaper: Discover a new era in postbiotics

Content provided by DSM Nutritional Products | 28-Nov-2023 | White Paper

Postbiotic ingredients are set to open up a world of opportunities across the human health and nutrition industry, fueled by developing science demonstrating...

Taking Immune Support to a New Level

Taking Immune Support to a New Level

Content provided by AB Biotek Human Nutrition & Health | 30-Oct-2023 | White Paper

Patent-pending ABB C1® redefines immune support by addressing innate, acquired, and Trained Immunity. In 'ABB C1®: Training Now for Future Immune...

Related suppliers

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars