SAUDI ARABIA INFANT FORMULA MARKET

Saudi Arabia Infant Formula Market was valued at USD 423 million in 2024 and is forecast to touch USD 584 million in 2032, and the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.1% from 2025-2032 fueled by increasing focus on infant nutrition along with greater consumer spending and the increasing women participation in the workforce.

Major Market Drivers and Emerging Trends

The market is witnessing robust growth throughout the forecast period with Saudi Arabia moving toward self reliance in infant formula. With a consistently high birth rate and a youthful population base along with strong per capita income levels, the market is anticipated to grow in the years ahead. In addition, improvements in the healthcare system and more qualified medical professionals are likely to raise nutritional awareness among mothers which provide a boost to the infant formula market.

Infant formula is a commercially prepared substitute for breast milk which is created to meet the dietary needs among infants under 12 months old. The FFDCA identifies infant formula as a food product which is marketed solely for infant consumption owing to its resemblance to human milk.

Infant formula provides several benefits including greater convenience for parents by allowing shared feeding responsibilities and more freedom for mothers which enables them to manage their diet or medication intake without concern. Additionally the growing preference among parents for high quality and reliable products further drives the Saudi Arabia infant formula market size.

Increasing requirements on infant nutritional needs is another major factor driving market growth. Breast milk is rich in essential nutrients necessary for maintaining healthy infant growth. However there are instances where mothers are unable to breastfeed or produce enough breast milk due to medical or personal reasons. In these cases infant feeding products provide a suitable alternative with infant formula offering a rich nutritional profile. The infant formula is tailored to promote healthy growth and provide essential nutrients for babies during early development and is intended for babies under one year old.

Saudi Arabia infant formula market growth has also been driven by changes in consumer lifestyles and the increasing purchasing power among the population. Many people living in cities struggle to monitor the nutritional needs for their children. A busy lifestyle is a significant factor that prevents individuals from providing adequate care for their babies which potentially leads to long term health consequences. Thus many millennial consumers are prioritizing convenient products that can ensure their baby receives proper nutrition. The convenience offered by the product makes it highly attractive to parents which drives up consumer demand.

The women workforce is also increasing significantly which further drives infant formula sales in Saudi Arabia. Under the Saudi Vision by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman which fosters economic diversification along with societal change there are more women joining the workforce. The government has also eased travel restrictions for women which grants them personal rights like the ability to drive. These changes have enabled women to pursue careers and simultaneously handle their domestic responsibilities. The female workforce is growing at an unprecedented rate with the Ministry of Finance reporting that female workforce participation has risen to 35% which surpasses the target set by Saudi Vision. It represents a significant economic transformation. The rising working mothers has posed challenges for exclusive breastfeeding which causes a greater reliance on infant formula to ensure proper infant nutrition.

The increasing shift toward clean label and organic products has also driven a surging infant formula demand. Parents are increasingly moving away from products with chemical ingredients and opting for natural options which create new opportunities for market growth in the years ahead. Owing to the increasing focus on health and sustainability there will be a growing demand for organic ingredients or packaging that is environmentally responsible. Ongoing research on immunity and gut health in children will further contribute to the emergence of new and specialized baby nutrition products.

However the government has also been actively encouraging breastfeeding among its female population. Initiatives like Maternity Protection or Nutrition Care Systems along with other policies could hinder market growth in the near future. The industry is also facing several hurdles including higher raw material costs and supply chain disturbances. There is also growing competition from global brands.

By product, infant formula is projected to experience the highest CAGR in the market over the forecast period. It is primarily driven by the rising baby population and the growing purchasing power among the middle class in Saudi Arabia. Moreover the growing awareness among parents about its various advantages is also contributing to the rising demand for infant formula. The infant formula segment holds a significant market share owing to its importance in baby nutrition and the increasing demand for easy feeding solutions in hectic family settings.

Based on form the powder category is dominated the market revenues and it is projected to be the market leader throughout the forecast period. The demand for the powder segment is being driven by its superior convenience in handling compared to liquid options. Additionally with more ingredients like proteins and prebiotics being incorporated in producing infant formula, the segment growth is anticipated to accelerate.

By the distribution channel supermarkets are projected to lead the market in the years ahead owing to their wide product selection available in one location. The rising organized retail outlets across Saudi Arabia is driving parents toward supermarkets for their shopping which further boosts segment growth. The online distribution segment is predicted to grow at a higher CAGR in the forecast years. The growing internet penetration along with the convenience when selecting products and free delivery services are main contributors driving the segment demand. Meanwhile specialized stores segment generally provides organic and medical grade infant formulas specifically designed for babies with digestive issues or allergies.

Top Market Players

Several leading companies include the Almarai Company, Gulf Dimensions Trading, Rabouh Al Hofuf, Shatha Abeer, among others. Strong competition among multinational companies and emerging firms leads to price pressure and greater product differentiation. To increase their market share companies must highlight their main features like digestive advantages and specialized nutritional profiles tailored for infants.

Key Developments

• • In 2024, Nestle has secured a 117,000 sqm site in Third Industrial City in Jeddah which will be dedicated to manufacturing infant nutrition products upon its opening next year.
  • In 2023, Almarai Company was recognized as the Most Meaningful Brand by Brand Finance and awarded the GHG Emission Reduction Best Practices in Saudi Arabia.

Segments covered in the Report:

The Saudi Arabia Infant Formula market has been segmented on the basis of product type, form, and distribution channel. Based on product type, the market is segmented into infant milk formula, follow up milk formula, growing up milk formula and specialty baby milk formula. Based on form, the market is segmented into Powder and Liquid. Based on distribution channel, the market is segmented into online, supermarkets, specialized stores, and others.

Market Segmentation

Saudi Arabia Infant Formula Market by Product Type

• • Infant Milk Formula
  • Follow Up Milk Formula
  • Growing Up Milk Formula
  • Speciality Baby Milk Formula

Saudi Arabia Infant Formula Market by Form

• • Powder
  • Liquid

Saudi Arabia Infant Formula Market by Distribution Channel

• • Online Stores
  • Supermarkets
  • Specialized Stores
  • Others

Saudi Arabia Infant Formula Market Leading players

• • Almarai Company
  • Gulf Dimensions Trading
  • Rabouh Al Hofuf
  • Shatha Abeer
  • Among others