Dairy Cultures Market Size, Share, Growth and Industry analysis, By Type (Thermophilic Cultures, Mesophilic Cultures), By Application (Cheese, Yogurt, Kefir, Others) and Regional Forecast to 2034

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DAIRY CULTURES MARKET OVERVIEW

The global dairy cultures market size was valued at USD 1.38 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 2.69 billion by 2034, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 7.66% from 2025 to 2034.

The United States Dairy Cultures Market size is projected at USD 0.428 Billion in 2025, the Europe Dairy Cultures Market size is projected at USD 0.346 Billion in 2025, and the China Dairy Cultures Market size is projected at USD 0.402 Billion in 2025.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the Dairy cultures Market experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden rise in CAGR is attributable to the market's growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over.

Dairy cultures are microorganisms that are used in the production of dairy products such as yogurt, cheese, kefir, and sour cream. These microorganisms are typically bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Streptococcus, that convert lactose (the natural sugar in milk) into lactic acid. Dairy cultures are responsible for the characteristic taste, texture, and aroma of dairy products. For example, the bacteria used in yogurt production give the yogurt its tangy flavor and thick texture. In cheese production, different cultures are used to produce specific types of cheese with distinct flavors and textures.

Dairy cultures are added to the milk before it is processed, and they are responsible for the fermentation process that transforms the milk into the final product. They play an essential role in the production of many dairy products and are critical for ensuring quality and consistency in the final product.

DAIRY CULTURES MARKET KEY FINDINGS

COVID-19 IMPACT

 Pandemic decreased the Market Demand

COVID-19 has disrupted the dairy supply chain, from farm to retail. The lockdowns, travel restrictions, and reduced workforce have led to difficulties in procuring and transporting raw materials, which has impacted the production of dairy cultures. The pandemic has caused significant changes in consumer behavior, including a shift towards healthier food choices. This has led to an increased demand for functional foods, including dairy cultures.

LATEST TRENDS

Growing demand for plant-based dairy cultures to Fuel Market Growth.

With the rise in veganism and plant-based diets, there is an increasing demand for dairy cultures derived from plant-based sources. Manufacturers are developing new cultures using plant-based ingredients, such as soy, almonds, and oats, to cater to this growing demand. Consumers are becoming more aware of the ingredients in their food and are seeking natural and clean-label products. As a result, manufacturers are developing dairy cultures using natural and organic ingredients, and avoiding artificial additives and preservatives.

• Rise in fermented dairy consumption: According to the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, over 40 billion USD worth of cultured dairy products were sold globally in 2023—reflecting a robust consumer shift towards probiotics and gut health.

• Asia-Pacific leads innovation: As per Business Research Insights, the Asia-Pacific region introduced more than 15 new thermophilic culture strains in 2024, aimed at cheese and yogurt production.

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DAIRY CULTURES MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type Analysis

According to type, the market can be segmented into, thermophilic type, mesophilic type.

By Application Analysis

Based on application, the market can be divided into, yoghurt, cheese, cream, buttermilk, others.

DRIVING FACTORS

Expansion of the Dairy Cultures Market in Developing Regions to Stimulate Market Demand

The dairy cultures market is expanding in developing regions such as Asia and Africa, as the demand for dairy products grows due to increasing disposable incomes and urbanization. This expansion is leading to the development of new dairy cultures specific to the tastes and preferences of these regions.

• Livestock vaccination coverage: The National Animal Disease Control Program aims to vaccinate 500 million livestock and 36 million female bovines annually to boost dairy productivity.

• Massive infrastructure support: Under the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund, ₹15,000 crore has been allocated since 2020 to build dairy plants and processing units across India.

Presence of Several Market Players to Surge Market Growth

 Manufacturers are developing new dairy products using unique dairy cultures, such as kefir, quark, and skyr. These products are gaining popularity due to their unique taste and nutritional benefits. These factors are driving the dairy cultures market growth rapidly.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Fluctuations in the prices of raw materials to restrict the market growth

The prices of raw materials used in the production of dairy cultures, such as milk and sugar, can be volatile due to various factors such as weather, demand, and supply. These fluctuations can affect the profitability of manufacturers, as they have to adjust their prices accordingly. The production of dairy cultures requires specialized equipment and facilities, which can be expensive to set up and maintain. This high capital investment and production costs can be a limiting factor for new entrants in the market and can also affect the profitability of existing players.

• Raw-material import dependency: Over 60 % of industrial starter cultures are sourced internationally, leading to supply-chain risks amid trade restrictions.

• Limited technical institutions: According to ICAR/DARE, no new dairy-science colleges have been established post‑2019—limiting trained manpower for advanced dairy-culture production.

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DAIRY CULTURES MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Increasing demand for seafood in North America has boosted Dairy cultures Market share

The daily cultures market in North America is a growing segment of the food industry, with consumers becoming increasingly interested in incorporating probiotics and other beneficial bacteria into their diets. The market includes a wide range of products such as yogurts, kefir, kombucha, and other fermented foods and beverages that contain live active cultures. These products are marketed as promoting digestive health, boosting immunity, and providing other health benefits. This is driving demand for high-quality dairy cultures products and thus increasing dairy cultures market share in the region.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Adoption of Innovative Strategies by Key Players Influencing Market Development

Prominent market players are making collaborative efforts by partnering with other companies to stay ahead of the competition. Many companies are also investing in new product launches to expand their product portfolio. Mergers and acquisitions are also among the key strategies used by players to expand their product portfolios.

• DSM Food Specialties: Operates with ~14,600 nutrition staff at end of 2021, backed by 150+ years of fermentation expertise.

• Biena: Recognized by Data Bridge as one of ~20 top global dairy-culture providers in 2021.

List of Top Dairy Cultures Companies

• DSM food specialist
• Biena
• Chr. Hansen Holding A/S
• BioResource Biotech
• BIOLACTER INC
• BDF ingredients
• CSK Food enrichment B.V.
• DuPont Nutrition and Health
• Bioprox
• GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft

REPORT COVERAGE

This report examines an understanding of the Dairy cultures market’s size, share, growth rate, segmentation by type, application, key players, and previous and current market scenarios. The report also collects the market’s precise data and forecasts by market experts. Also, it describes the study of this industry’s financial performance, investments, growth, innovation marks, and new product launches by the top companies and offers deep insights into the current market structure, competitive analysis based on key players, key driving forces, and restraints that affect the demand for growth, opportunities, and risks.

Furthermore, the post-COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on international market restrictions and a deep understanding of how the industry will recover, and strategies are also stated in the report. The competitive landscape has also been examined in detail to provide clarification of the competitive landscape.

This report also discloses the research based on methodologies that define price trend analysis of target companies, collection of data, statistics, target competitors, import-export, information, and previous years’ records based on market sales. Moreover, all the significant factors which influence the market such as small or medium business industry, macro-economic indicators, value chain analysis, and demand-side dynamics, with all the major business players have been explained in detail. This analysis is subject to modification if the key players and feasible analysis of market dynamics change.