Human Milk Bank Market Outlook 2035: Nurturing Infant Health Through Donor Milk

The global focus on neonatal care and infant nutrition is growing stronger than ever. For premature and low-birth-weight infants, access to safe, high-quality breast milk can make a life-saving difference. This is where human milk banks play a vital role—collecting, screening, processing, and distributing donor breast milk to hospitals and families in need.

The global human milk bank market was valued at US$ 422.7 Mn in 2024 and is projected to reach US$ 843.1 Mn by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 6.4% from 2025 to 2035. This steady growth reflects increasing awareness of the health benefits of donor milk, rising preterm birth rates, and the expansion of hospital-based milk banking infrastructure.

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Rising Demand Driven by Preterm and Low-Birth-Weight Infants

Premature and low-birth-weight infants face a higher risk of infections, gastrointestinal complications, and developmental delays. Human milk provides essential antibodies, nutrients, and bioactive components that strengthen immunity, improve digestion, and support overall growth.

Globally, the incidence of preterm births and neonatal complications is on the rise, particularly in developing regions. Hospitals and neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are increasingly relying on human milk banks to ensure that vulnerable infants receive optimal nutrition when maternal milk supply is insufficient.

Expansion of Hospital-Based Human Milk Banks

Hospital-based human milk banks are central to the market’s growth. These facilities:

• Collect donor milk from screened lactating mothers
• Pasteurize and process milk to ensure safety
• Distribute milk to NICUs and outpatient programs

The expansion of hospital-based milk banks ensures immediate availability of donor milk to at-risk newborns and strengthens public health initiatives aimed at improving neonatal outcomes.

Moreover, several governments and healthcare organizations are actively funding milk bank programs to reduce infant mortality rates and promote breastfeeding awareness, further supporting market growth.

Market Growth Drivers

1️⃣ Increasing Awareness of Donor Milk Benefits

Awareness campaigns highlighting the nutritional and immunological advantages of human milk are encouraging more mothers to donate and more hospitals to adopt milk bank programs.

2️⃣ Rising Preterm and Low-Birth-Weight Births

The prevalence of preterm births continues to grow due to maternal health challenges, multiple pregnancies, and advanced maternal age. These infants are primary beneficiaries of donor milk, driving demand for human milk bank services.

3️⃣ Healthcare Infrastructure Expansion

The development of neonatal care centers and NICUs in emerging economies has created a robust demand for hospital-based milk banks, ensuring that vulnerable infants receive essential nutrition.

4️⃣ Supportive Policies and Funding

Government incentives, non-profit initiatives, and international programs are promoting the establishment of human milk banks and facilitating donor recruitment.

Market Segmentation Insights

By Product Type:

• Donor Human Milk (Pasteurized, Frozen)
• Fortified Human Milk (for specialized nutritional needs)

By End-User:

• Hospitals and NICUs
• Outpatient Clinics
• Home Care Programs

Hospital and NICU applications dominate the market due to the urgent need for neonatal nutrition in clinical settings.

By Region:

• North America: Leading the market with established milk bank networks and high awareness levels
• Europe: Witnessing steady growth due to government-backed neonatal nutrition programs
• Asia-Pacific: Expected to register the fastest growth, supported by rising preterm birth rates and expanding healthcare infrastructure

Challenges and Considerations

While the human milk bank market is expanding, challenges include:

• Limited donor participation in certain regions
• High operational costs for screening, pasteurization, and storage
• Regulatory variations across countries regarding donor milk use
• Logistics challenges in maintaining cold-chain storage and transportation

Addressing these barriers through public awareness, funding, and standardized protocols is critical to sustainable growth.