United Kingdom (UK) Baby Food Market Size and Share by Categories, Distribution and Forecast to 2030

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The number of live births in the UK declined by 11.8% during 2018–24, reaching, 644,816 in 2024. This resulted in a baby population of two million in 2024. The GDP of the grew by 1% in 2024, while consumer price inflation stood at 2.5%. Overall sales in value terms increased in recent years with the sector expanding at a CAGR of 3.6% during 2018–24. However, in volume terms, sales decreased during 2018–24, dropping at a negative CAGR of 0.5%. Baby milks remained the largest category in value terms with over 55% of the baby food sector, distantly followed by baby wet meals & others. Danone, The Hain Celestial Group, and Nestlé together accounted for 62.9% of value sales in 2024. Hypermarkets & supermarkets remained the leading distribution channel, accounting for over 70% of overall value sales in 2024. GlobalData estimates that the market for baby food in the country is expected to increase in value terms during 2024–30, registering a CAGR of 2.6%.

Scope

This report brings together multiple data sources to provide a comprehensive overview of the baby food sector in the UK, as part of GlobalData’s global coverage of the sector. It includes an analysis of the following –  

Market environment: The report provides a comparative analysis of the value and volume shares of the UK against the Western European and global baby food sectors. Additionally, the per capita consumption (PCC)* of and per capita expenditure (PCE)* on baby food in the UK are compared at regional and global levels.

Background: Provides an overview of births, consumer trends, sociodemographic trends, working women population, and regulations in the UK baby food sector.

Category coverage and competitive landscape: The report offers an overview of growth at a sector level and provides an analysis of five categories: baby milks, baby cereals & dry meals, baby wet meals & others, baby finger food, and baby drinks. These categories are analyzed by value, volume, and CAGR for the 2018–30 period. The analysis also includes the PCC of and PCE on baby food in the UK, by category. The report provides an analysis of leading manufacturers and brands in the UK baby food sector in 2024 and their sales shares in each category.

Production and trade: The report provides an analysis of imports and exports in the UK baby food sector (2019–23).

Distribution channels: Provides analysis on the leading distribution channels at both sector and category level in 2024.

Economic background: The report also provides an outlook on macroeconomic indicators in the UK, with a snapshot of the economy and labor market.

Key Highlights

• Value sales of baby milks increased from GBP410 million ($547.6 million) in 2018 to GBP511.6 million ($651.5 million) in 2024, at a CAGR of 3.8% during this period.

• Volumes of baby cereals & dry meals decreased from 1.5 million kg in 2018 to 1.45 million kg in 2024, at a negative CAGR of 0.5%.

• Value sales of the baby wet meals & others category rose from GBP200.6 million ($267.9 million) in 2018 to GBP247.8 million ($315.6 million) in 2024, at a CAGR of 3.6%.

• During 2018–24, PCC of baby finger food increased by 15.4%, totaling 3kg in 2024.

• During 2018–24, PCC of baby drinks fell by 75%, to 0.1kg in 2024.

Reasons to Buy

• Evaluate important changes in consumer behavior and identify profitable markets and areas for product innovation.

• Analyse current and forecast behavior trends in each category to identify the best opportunities to exploit.

• Detailed understanding of consumption by individual product categories in order to align your sales and marketing efforts with the latest trends in the market.

• Investigates which categories are performing the best and how this is changing market dynamics.

Danone
The Hain Celestial Group
Nestlé
HiPP
The Kraft Heinz Company
Kendal Nutricare
Hero
The Kids Food Company

Table of Contents

Executive Summary

Market Environment

Value and Volume Growth Analysis by Region

Growth Analysis of the UK Compared with Other Leading Countries in Western Europe

PCC and PCE in the UK Compared with Global and Western European Markets

Background

Births

The Consumer

Sociodemographic Trends

Working Women

Parental Leave – Legislation

Breastfeeding Trends

Regulations

Overview

UK Baby Food Sector Snapshot

Market Size Analysis

Manufacturer Shares

Category Analysis

Baby Milks

Baby Cereals & Dry Meals

Baby Wet Meals & Others

Baby Finger Food

Baby Drinks

Production and Trade

Imports

Exports

Production

Distribution

Channel Share Analysis

Baby Food Retailing

Economic Background

GDP Growth and Inflation

Prospects and Forecasts

Future Trends

Appendix

Table

Birth & population trends, 2008-28

Live births by country, 2007-21

Live births by region, 2019-21

Breakdown of live births by age of mothers, %, 2012-21

Women in the workforce, 2010-22

Incidence of initial breastfeeding by country, %, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010

Prevalence of breastfeeding by age of baby by country, %, 2005 & 2010

Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding by age of baby by country, %, 2010

Scotland: Breastfeeding trends, 2009-16

Northern Ireland: Breastfeeding at discharge from hospital, 2010-15

Northern Ireland: Trends in feeding at discharge, 2007-2016

England: Breastfeeding at 6-8 weeks, 2016-20

Incidence of breastfeeding initiation by social class, %, 2005 & 2010

Prevalence of initial breastfeeding by age at which mother completed full-time education, %, 2005 & 2010

Incidence of initiation of breastfeeding by age of mother, %, 2005 & 2010

Duration of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers who breastfed exclusively at birth, by country, %, 2010

Proportion of births in BFHI facilities by country, %, 2017 & 2019

Leading categories (value and volume), 2022

Baby food: manufacturer shares, value & volume, %, 2016-22

Baby food: manufacturer shares by category, %, 2022

Baby milks: SKUs by pack type, 2022

Baby milks: SKUs by pack size, 2022

Baby milks: brand price positioning analysis, 2022

Baby milks: manufacturer shares, value & volume, %, 2016-22

Baby milks: manufacturer & brand shares, value %, 2016-22

Baby milks: manufacturer & brand shares, volume %, 2016-22

Baby cereals & dry meals: SKUs by pack type, 2022

Baby cereals & dry meals: SKUs by pack size, 2022

Baby cereals & dry meals: brand price positioning analysis, 2022

Baby cereals & dry meals: manufacturer shares, value & volume, %, 2016-22

Baby cereals & dry meals: manufacturer & brand shares, value %, 2016-22

Baby cereals & dry meals: manufacturer & brand shares, volume %, 2016-22

Baby wet meals & other: SKUs by pack type, 2022

Baby wet meals & other: SKUs by pack size, 2022

Baby wet meals & other: brand price positioning analysis, 2022

Baby wet meals & other: manufacturer shares, value & volume, %, 2016-22

Baby wet meals & other: manufacturer & brand shares, value %, 2016-22

Baby wet meals & other: manufacturer & brand shares, volume %, 2016-22

Baby finger food: SKUs by pack type, 2022

Baby finger food: SKUs by pack size, 2022

Baby finger food: brand price positioning analysis, 2022

Baby finger food: manufacturer shares, value & volume, %, 2016-22

Baby finger food: manufacturer & brand shares, value %, 2016-22

Baby finger food: manufacturer & brand shares, volume %, 2016-22

Baby drinks: SKUs by pack type, 2022

Baby drinks: SKUs by pack size, 2022

Baby drinks: brand price positioning analysis, 2022

Baby drinks: manufacturer shares, value & volume, %, 2016-22

Baby drinks: manufacturer & brand shares, value %, 2016-22

Baby drinks: manufacturer & brand shares, volume %, 2016-22

Baby milks & cereals: trends in imports, 2015-22

Imports of baby milks & cereals by country of origin, 2020-22

Other baby food: trends in imports, 2015-22

Imports of other baby food by country of origin, 2020-22

Baby milks & cereals: trends in exports, 2015-22

Exports of baby milks & cereals by country of destination, 2020-22

Other baby food: trends in exports, 2015-22

Exports of other baby food by country of destination, 2020-22

Change in distribution share, 2016-22

Baby food: sales by outlet type, % value, 2016-22

Baby food: sales by type of food & outlet type, % value, 2022

Category definitions

Terminology definitions

Baby population, number of babies (‘000), 2008-28

Baby food: market value, current prices ($ million), 2016-22

Baby food: market value, constant prices, 2016-22

Baby food: market volume, million kg, 2016-22

Baby food: per capita expenditure, current prices ($), 2016-22

Baby food: per capita expenditure, constant prices, 2016-22

Baby food: per capita consumption, kg, 2016-22

Baby milks: category segmentation, value & volume, 2016-22

Baby food: market value forecasts, current prices ($ million), 2022-28

Baby food: market value forecasts, constant prices, 2022-28

Baby food: market volume forecasts, million kg, 2022-28

Baby food: per capita expenditure forecasts, current prices ($), 2022-28

Baby food: per capita expenditure forecasts, constant prices, 2022-28

Baby food: per capita consumption forecasts, kg, 2022-28

Exchange rates: LCU per $, 2016-22

Exchange rates: LCU per $, 2023-28

SKUs allocation by product type

Figures

UK’s value and volume shares in the global and Western European baby food sectors, 2022

27

UK compared with the other top countries in terms of market share, growth, and competitive landscape

PCC comparison

UK, Western Europe, and global, 2017 27

PCE comparison

UK, Western Europe, and global, 2017 27

UK: In light of the rising cost of living, how have your shopping habits changed for baby care and child care products?

UK: How would you describe your spend on the following products in the last three months? For “baby food”, for “baby milk”

UK: Which of the following features do you actively look for when making a purchase?

Baby food: sector size (value), 2016

22

Baby food: sector size (volume), 2016

22

Market size and growth analysis by value and volume, baby food sector, 2016

28

Baby food: manufacturer shares, value %, 2022

Baby food: manufacturer shares, volume %, 2022

Baby food: manufacturer shares by category, % value, 2022

Market size and growth analysis by value and volume, baby milks category, 2016

28

Baby milks: PCE & PCC, 2016

22

Baby milks: PCE & PCC by age group, 2016

22

Baby milks: segmentation, value, and volume, 2016

22

Market size and growth analysis by value and volume, baby cereals & dry meals category, 2016

28

Baby cereals & dry meals: PCE & PCC, 2016

22

Market size and growth analysis by value and volume, baby wet meals & other category, 2016

28

Baby wet meals & other: PCE & PCC, 2016

22

Market size and growth analysis by value and volume, baby finger food category, 2016

28

Baby wet meals & other: PCE & PCC, 2016

22

Market size and growth analysis by value and volume, baby drinks category, 2016

28

Baby drinks: PCE & PCC, 2016

22

Share of key distribution channels (in value terms)

baby food, 2022

Key distribution channel share by category (in value terms), 2022

GDP at current prices (GBP billion)

Real GDP growth rate (%)

Consumer price inflation (%)

Unemployment rate (%)

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