Dysphagia Diet Thickening Agent Market

Dysphagia Diet Thickening Agent Market Outlook from 2024 to 2034)

The global dysphagia diet thickening agent market size is estimated to be US$ 1,585.4 million in 2024. Projections indicate the market share will rise at a CAGR of 6.2% through 2034. The market is set to surpass US$ 2,897.5 million by 2034.

The geriatric population is a key driver of the growth in demand for dysphagia-assist products. The rising incidence of cases like Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) leads to an increase in dysphagia problems in the aged population. There is a growing demand for dysphagia diet-thickening agents among the older population and nursing facilities.

Key Market Growth Drivers

• Ailments like strokes and neurological problems are increasing in frequency, causing a higher number of people to have trouble swallowing and necessitating the use of dysphagia diet thickening agents.
• Dysphagia diet thickening agents are increasing in variety, with newer agents allowing for more effective thickening solutions and bolstering market growth.
• Pediatric diet thickening agents are experiencing growth in demand as the number of children born with swallowing problems increases and swallowing difficulty solutions are sought.
• Xanthan gum’s popularity as a thickening agent among food manufacturers is helping the adoption of dysphagia diet thickening agents in the food sector.

With the rise in restaurant and pub culture, the number of people eating out is increasing. People afflicted with dysphagia are also looking to eat out while still not making their food-eating conspicuous.

Report Attributes	Details
Estimated Market Value (2024E)	US$ 1,585.4 million
Forecasted Market Value (2034F)	US$ 2,897.5 million
Global Market Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	6.2% CAGR
Powder Thickeners Segment Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	5.8%
Oropharyngeal Dysphagia Segment Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	6.1%
North America Market Share (2024)	33.2%
East Asia Market Share (2024)	14.7%
Key Companies Profiled	Abbott Laboratories Precise Kent Precision Foods Group, Inc. Kewpie Corporation Saraya Co., Ltd. Fresenius Kabi Nestlé Health Science Danone S.A. SimplyThick Madtrition Inc. Hormel Foods Danone S.A. Flavour Creations Ingredion Hormel Health Labs Nutri Co., Ltd. Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Which Factors Have Driven the Global Surge in Dysphagia Diet Thickening Agent Demand?

“Increasing Adoption of Dysphagia Diets Allowing for Demand of Dysphagia Diet Thickening Agent to Flow”

People afflicted with dysphagia are adopting diets that involve food that is easy to swallow. The diets are known as dysphagia diets and are being adopted by people who are at risk of consuming food the wrong way. The increase in dysphagia diet adoption is conducive to the growth of the dysphagia diet thickening agent market. The food thickening agent allows for more food to be included in the diet, helping the dysphasia-afflicted have as much variety in their food as possible.

“Campaigns by Healthcare Institutions to Raise Awareness of Dysphagia are Helping to Widen the Demand for Dysphagia Diet Thickening Agent”

Hospitals, therapists, public health organizations, and others in the healthcare sector have run initiatives to raise awareness about dysphagia. The distribution of pamphlets, online seminars, and the designation of Swallowing Awareness Day are helping to raise the profile of problems relating to swallowing. More people are becoming knowledgeable about dysphagia, and more patients are getting diagnosed with the ailment. Thus, the adoption of dysphagia diet thickening agents is facilitated.

Which Factors Present Challenges to the Expansion of the Dysphagia Diet Thickening Agent Market?

“Lack of Awareness About Dysphagia, Presence of Alternatives, and Shortcomings in Diagnosis are Expected to Present Hurdles for Players”

Many people are still unaware of dysphagia and ascribe problems with swallowing to other causes. Gaps in diagnosis and the lack of a standard diagnostic test for the ailment are further causes of the lack of knowledge among people. The lack of awareness also leads to people seeking out alternative treatments for swallowing problems. Local amateur treatments are sought by people who have not been imbibed with the benefits of dysphagia diet thickening agents.

Country-wise Insights

The rapidly expanding healthcare sector in East Asia drives the dysphagia diet thickening agent market. In 2024, the value of the market in East Asia is estimated to be US$ 234.0 million, for a market share of 14.7%. The market is expected to progress at a healthy rate in East Asia from 2024 to 2034, with a CAGR of 8.2%. By 2034, it is projected that the market value for East Asia will have soared to US$ 513 million, with a market share of 17.7%.

North America is a lucrative region for the market, as awareness about dysphagia grows by leaps and bounds in the region. For 2024, the market share is projected to be 33.2%, with a market value of US$ 527.0 million. The market is expected to register a solid CAGR of 4.2% in North America for the forecast period. By 2034, it is anticipated to have shot up to US$ 791.0 million, with a market share of 27.3%.

What Makes China Such a Promising Country for the Dysphagia Diet Thickening Agent Market?

“Significant Number of People Having Strokes in China Increase the Demand for Dysphagia Diet Thickening Agents in the Country”

China is one of the most promising countries for the market, with an expected 2024 market valuation of US$ 83.0 million. The market is expected to register an encouraging CAGR of 9.1% in China over the forecast period, at the end of which the market value for the country is projected to be US$ 198.0 million.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of the development of dysphagia. China’s rapidly rising population is prone to having strokes, leading to a significant portion of the population having trouble swallowing. Thus, dysphagia diet-thickening agents are being sought after in the country.

Why is Japan Emerging as a Lucrative Country for the Dysphagia Diet Thickening Agent Market?

“Standards for Dysphagia Diets Being Established in Japan Bolster the Market in the Country”

Japan is another East Asian country representing significant potential for the market, with the 2024 valuation for the country amounting to US$ 108.0 million. The market is expected to register an invigorating CAGR of 8.3% over the forecast period. By 2034, the valuation of dysphagia diet thickening agent demand in Japan is likely to scale to US$ 239.0 million.

Japan has established guidelines for the maintenance of dysphagia diets. The Japanese Society of Dysphagia Rehabilitation came up with the Japanese Dysphagia Diet in 2013 to provide guidelines to the public about the food to be consumed by the dysphagia-afflicted. Constant updates have also been made to the plan as research has advanced. Thus, the Japanese people are aware of the food to be taken by dysphagia patients, and the market is being boosted in the country.

Category-wise Insights

Based on the product, powder thickeners are expected to account for 47.0% of the market share. Thickened beverages for dysphagia are anticipated to take the runner-up place, with 29.4% of the market share in 2024. Based on indication, Oropharyngeal Dysphagia is expected to lead the market with a market share of 80.2% in 2024. Esophageal Dysphagia is projected to account for the remaining 19.8% of the market share in 2024.

Why are Powder Thickeners the Most Sought After Form of Dysphagia Diet Thickening Agents?

“Easy Administration of Powder Thickeners Makes the Product the Most Popular of the Dysphagia Diet Thickening Agents”

The thickened powder is expected to dominate the market. In 2024, thickened powders are expected to contribute 47.0% of the total share of the product.

A significant number of the dysphagia-afflicted are geriatric or are plagued with restrictions on movement. Thus, the easy-to-administer nature of thickened powder is sought after. The ability of thickened powder to be compatible with different varieties of food is also a positive for the growth of the product.

Competitive Landscape

Players in the market are partnering up with healthcare institutions to spread the word about dysphagia far and wide. The market players are thus concentrated on expanding the consumer base for their products, tapping into unexplored geographical areas with the help of healthcare institutions.

Market players are also concentrating on increasing the number of ingredients used as agents. While thickening agents like xanthan gum and pectin have earned manufacturers' confidence, new candidates are also being sought through research and development. Some of the key companies in the dysphagia diet thickening agent industry are Abbott Laboratories, Precise, Kent Precision Foods Group, Inc., Kewpie Corporation, Saraya Co., Ltd., Fresenius Kabi, Nestlé Health Science Danone S.A., SimplyThick, Madtrition Inc., Hormel Foods, Danone S.A., Flavour Creations, Ingredion, Hormel Health Labs, Nutri Co., Ltd., and Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Some of the recent developments in the market are:

• In 2022, the Canadian long-term care facility Heart of the Valley introduced a thickened ice cream for its patients suffering from dysphagia. Resident dietician Judy Lowe developed it in collaboration with researchers from Acadia University.
• In 2021, the Japanese Society of Dysphagia Rehabilitation updated their Japanese Dysphagia Diet of 2013, which is nas the Japanese Dysphagia Diet of 2021.
• In March 2019, Hormel Health Labs added 30 products to its Thick & Easy meal kit range. The meal kits are designed for people with swallowing disorders.

Segmentation of Dysphagia Diet Thickening Agent Market Research

• By Product :

  • Gel-Type Thickeners
  • Powder Thickeners
  • Thickened Beverages
  • Puree

• By Indication :

  • Oropharyngeal Dysphagia
  • Esophageal Dysphagia

• By End User :

  • Hospitals
  • Assisted Living Facilities
  • Skilled Nursing Facilities
  • Retail Pharmacy Chains
  • Drug Stores
  • Online Sales/eCommerce
  • Hypermarket & Supermarket

• By Region :

  • North America
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • East Asia
  • South Asia & Oceania
  • Middle East & Africa