The need for enteral feeding formulas has significantly increased owing to the increasing number of patients suffering from cancer. According to the World Cancer Research Fund International data report 2018, around 296,851 new cases of brain and central nervous system cancer were diagnosed globally in 2018. The world's high prevalence of cancer puts a high economic burden on countries. The need for improved enteral feeding formulas has also increased. Most tumour-bearing patients suffer from cancer cachexia which causes insulin-resistance, increased lipolysis with body fat loss, increased protein turnover, and loss of muscle mass, resulting in loss of appetite and weight. In addition, cancer treatment in patients causes numerous problems and side effects, including mucositis in the mouth, trouble chewing and swallowing solid foods, altered saliva levels, making swallowing difficult. The provision of nutrition is the cornerstone of improving the health condition of cancer patients, as it becomes very difficult for cancer patients to take food orally, and as the treatment progresses, the nutrition is provided by enteral feeding tubes to help them retain body mass. The incidence and prevalence of cancer are growing, contributing the growth of the demand for enteral feeding formulas during the forecast period.

Another key factor that positively impacts enteral feeding growth is increasing developments in technology and product innovation. In recent times, manufacturers of enteral feeding products have started offering a wide product portfolio of ready-to-use oral dietary supplements, tube feeds, and powder products. The high impact rendering factors for this market growth are expected to be rapid technological developments that help offer texture-modified enteral formula products to meet the individual needs of different patients. This are related to portable pumps, disposable kits, stationary pumps, and accessories for enhanced precision, portability, and cost effectiveness.

Furthermore, due to different age-related changes in body composition and muscle mass, the risk of malnutrition and frailty among the geriatric population with comorbidities, such as stroke, depression, diabetes, and dementia, is much higher. This leads to a diminished ability to perform daily living activities (ADLs), thus raising the risk of injury or fall. Therefore, studying the pathophysiology behind the condition (nutritional deficiency) is significant. According to an NCBI article published in 2018, the prevalence of nutrient deficiency in the geriatric population is almost 15% in ambulatory outpatients, 35% to 65% in hospitalized patients, and 20% to 60% in institutionalized patients. Thus, in the elderly population, healthcare professionals are maximising the choices of Enteral Nutrition (EN), which is expected to fuel the market growth.

The global enteral feeding formulas market has been segmented based on product type, indication type, flow type, stage, end-users and region. Based on product type, the enteral feeding formulas market is segmented into standard formula, and disease-specific formula wherein the standard formula segment dominated the market. Standard formula has wide usage for enteral nutrition and basic clinical nutrition, high commercial availability and increasing investment by major market players. Among volume sensitive patients or patients suffering from congestive heart failure, Syndrome of Inappropriate Diuretic Hormone (SIADH), and renal failure, demand for standard tube feeds are significant demand booster for this segment.

On the basis of indication type, the enteral feeding formulas market is segmented into alzheimer’s, nutrition deficiency, cancer care, diabetes, chronic kidney diseases, orphan diseases, dysphagia, pain management, malabsorption/GI disorder/diarrhea, and others. Other indications, followed by cancer care dominated the market in 2019, due to the rising occurrence of malnutrition associated with the weakening of the immune system in critically ill patients. There are fewer serious risks and improved health outcomes in enteral feeding, including a drop in chances of acquired infections, hospital costs, and length of stay. However, an increase in the incidence of neck and head cancer, due to swallowing issues associated with such patients, leads to the increased revenue share in the cancer care segment.

On the basis of flow type, the enteral feeding formulas market is segmented into intermittent feeding flow, and continuous feeding flow. The intermittent feeding flow segment dominated the market due to the fact that, compared to bolus feeding, intermittent feeding registered greater tolerance in patients. In addition, no feeding pumps are needed, which allows for greater mobility between feedings.

Based on stage, the enteral feeding formulas market is segmented into adults and pediatrics. The adults segment dominated the market in 2019 due to the high commercial availability of tube feed among adults and rising adoption. The syringe technique, gravity drip technique, and the pump system can be used for enteral feeding in adults.

On the basis of end-users, the enteral feeding formulas market is segmented into hospitals and home care. Home care segment dominated the market in 2019 owing to the factors contributing to the growth of the segment is a growing number of patients undergoing home enteral feeding due to increased understanding of proper nutrition. Some of the key indicators for growing growth in this segment of the market are the increasing adoption of enteral feeding formulas by home healthcare patients and increasing government intervention to educate the patient population on the use of enteral feeding pumps or systems.

The global enteral feeding formulas market is cumulative to North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa. North America dominated the global enteral feeding formulas market in 2019, however Latin America is expected to grow at a highest pace through 2028.

North America, especially the U.S. dominates the global enteral feeding formulas market. This is due to the existence of well-established healthcare facilities in the area, growing prevalence of brain cancers as well as malignant tumours in the brain. High awareness about medical nutrition, presence of key players, and various initiatives being undertaken to curb the incidence of disease-related malnutrition are among the key factors driving the regional market. Disease-associated malnutrition adds a significant burden on the healthcare system. As per Abbott Nutrition’s press release, as of 2014, the economic value of disease-related malnutrition in U.S. was approximately USD 157 billion annually. In the United States, the number of people aged over 65 years is estimated to more than double by 2060. The growth in the geriatric population would increase the number of cases of chronic illnesses, such as cancer and diabetes, which would also increase the patient's hospital stay. Furthermore, according to data released by the WHO, 15 million preterm babies are born, and this figure is growing. Therefore, all of the factors listed above are expected to drive the growth of the market in this region.

Latin America is expected to be the fastest growing regional market for enteral feeding formulas owing to factors such as the rising geriatric population and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. The geriatric population has increased from 7% in 2013 to 8% in 2017 in this area. In addition, the prevalence of disease-related malnutrition in this area is increasing. Thus, Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing regional market for enteral feeding formulas devices during the forecast period.