Market Insights
"The global starter culture market size value was US$ 1.16 billion in 2023 and is likely to grow at a decent CAGR of 5.5%, in the long run, to reach US$ 1.68 billion in 2030."

Wish to get a free sample? Register Here
The starter culture market focuses primarily on the production, distribution, and sales of the microbial culture control and initiate fermentation process in a variety of food & beverages.
The culture consists of specific types of bacteria, and yeasts that are carefully chosen to give the food and beverages the desired characteristics.
Starter Culture Market Report Overview
|
Market Size in 2030
|
USD 1.68 Billion
|
Market Size in 2023
|
USD 1.16 Billion
|
Market Growth (2024-2030)
|
CAGR of 5.5%
|
Base Year of Study
|
2023
|
Trend Period
|
2018-2022
|
Forecast Period
|
2024-2030
|
Market Dynamics
Market Drivers
The rising demand for fermented food like yogurt and other dairy products that hold health benefits is the key market driver.
Recent Developments:
A significant number of developments have been performed over the past few years:
- In January 2021, DSM unveiled its latest yogurt culture, Delvo Fresh YS-042. This addition will allow producers to make stirred yogurt that remains mild, creamy, and thick throughout its shelf life.
- In April 2021, Chr. Hansen Holding A/S introduced the ‘FreshQ’ culture, which was designed to benefit the producers by offering bioprotection to a wide range of fermented dairy products including white cheese and yogurt.
- In February 2021, IFF finalized its merger with DuPont’s Nutrition & Biosciences business. Under the IFF name, the merged entity decided to operate. This merger will position the company as the leader in taste, nutrition, probiotic ingredients, etc.
Market Segments' Analysis
Segmentations
|
List of Sub-Segments
|
Segments with High Growth Opportunity
|
By Application
|
Dairy & dairy products, Cheese, Yoghurt, Butter & cream, Meat & seafood, Alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages, and other applications.
|
Dairy & dairy products application is expected to dominate the starter culture market.
|
By Microorganism
|
Yeast, Thermophilic, Mesophilic, Bacteria, and Mold
|
The bacteria segment is expected to grow over the forecasted period.
|
By Form
|
Frozen and Freeze-Dried
|
Freeze-dried is anticipated to contribute the largest share.
|
By Composition
|
Single-strain, Multi-strain, and multi-strain mix
|
Multi strain mix is expected to have the highest growth opportunity over the forecasted.
|
By Region
|
North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World
|
Europe is expected to dominate the market in the forecasted period.
|
Application Trends
"The dairy & dairy products segment accounted for the largest market share."
Dairy & dairy products application is expected to dominate the starter culture market. Increasing demand for healthy foods among consumers as dairy products are widely known for their nutritional value. The growing popularity of probiotic food items is due to their various health benefits beyond just their nutritional contents.
Microorganism Trends
"The bacteria segment accounted for the largest market share."
Bacteria segment is expected to grow over the forecasted period. Increasing consumer awareness of probiotic food drives the demand for products containing beneficial bacteria. The dairy is also driving the demand as the dairy industry uses bacterial cultures.
Form Trends
"The freeze-dried segment accounted for the largest market share."
Freeze-dried is anticipated to contribute the largest share. Freeze-dried enables the microorganisms to be preserved. Freeze-dried form proved to be the best form among others as it preserves without causing severe damage to the functions (physical and molecular functions).
Composition Trends
"The multi strain mix segment accounted for the largest market share."
Multi strain mix is expected to have the highest growth opportunity over the forecasted period. Multi-strain mix combines strains from microbes, resulting in a broad range of functionalities. It results in more robustness and the fermentation process turns out to be more reliable.
Regional Insights
"Europe accounted for the largest market share."
Europe is expected to dominate the market in the forecasted period. Europe has a large consumer base that consumes starter culture among other regions globally. Owing to high demands from cheese and yogurt manufacturers, Europe is expected to dominate the market in the foreseeable future.

Want to know which region offers the best growth opportunities? Register Here
Critical Questions Answered in the Report
- What are the key trends in the global market?
- How the market (and its various sub-segments) has grown in the last five years and what would be the growth rate in the next five years?
- What is the impact of COVID-19 on the global market?
- What are the key strategies adopted by the major vendors to lead in the market?
- What is the market share of the top vendors?
Key Players
The market is highly fragmented with the presence of over 500 players across the region. Most of the major players compete in some of the governing factors including price, service offerings, regional presence, etc. The following are the key players in the Starter Culture Market:
Here is the list of the Top Players (Based on Dominance)
- Chr. Hansen Holding A/S
- IFF
- DSM
- LB Bulgaricum
- Bio chem SRL
- Dalton Biotecnologie Srl
- Mediterranea Biotecnologie Srl
- Genesis Laboratories
- Bioprox
- Codex-ing Biotech Ingredients
- Sacco System
- Biena
- BDF Ingredients
- Benebios Inc.
- Benny Impex
Note: The above list does not necessarily include all the top players in the market.
Are you the leading player in this market? We would love to include your name. Write to us at sales@stratviewresearch.com
Report Features
This report provides market intelligence most comprehensively. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights into market dynamics and will enable strategic decision-making for existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market.
What Deliverables Will You Get in this Report?
Key questions this report answers
|
Relevant contents in the report
|
How big is the sales opportunity?
|
In-depth Analysis of the Starter Culture Market
|
How lucrative is the future?
|
Market forecast and trend data and emerging trends
|
Which regions offer the best sales opportunities?
|
Global, regional, and country-level historical data and forecasts
|
Which are the most attractive market segments?
|
Market Segment Analysis and Forecast
|
Which are the top players and their market positioning?
|
Competitive landscape analysis, Market share analysis
|
How complex is the business environment?
|
Porter’s five forces analysis, PEST analysis, Life cycle analysis
|
What are the factors affecting the market?
|
Drivers & challenges
|
Will I get the information on my specific requirement?
|
10% free customization
|
The starter culture market is segmented into the following categories.
By Application
- Dairy & dairy products
- Cheese
- Yoghurt
- Butter & cream
- Meat & seafood
- Alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages
- Other applications
By Microorganism
- Yeast
- Thermophilic
- Mesophilic
- Bacteria
- Mold
By Form
By Composition
- Single strain
- Multi strain
- Multi strain mix
By Region
- North America (Country Analysis: The USA, Canada, and Mexico)
- Europe (Country Analysis: Germany, France, The UK, Russia, and Rest of Europe)
- Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: Japan, China, India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific)
- Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Brazil, Argentina, and Others)

Want to get a free sample? Register Here
Research Methodology
This strategic assessment report from Stratview Research provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s Starter Culture Market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period. The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner in order to provide a panoramic view of the market. The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for market participants as well as investors in the identification of the low-hanging fruits available in the market as well as to formulate growth strategies to expedite their growth process.
This report offers high-quality insights and is the outcome of a detailed research methodology comprising extensive secondary research, rigorous primary interviews with industry stakeholders, and validation and triangulation with Stratview Research’s internal database and statistical tools. More than 1,000 authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, fact books, press releases, journals, investor presentations, white papers, patents, and articles, have been leveraged to gather the data. We conducted more than 15 detailed primary interviews with market players across the value chain in all four regions and industry experts to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insights.
Customization Options
With this detailed report, Stratview Research offers one of the following free customization options to our respectable clients:
Company Profiling
- Detailed profiling of additional market players (up to three players)
- SWOT analysis of key players (up to three players)
Competitive Benchmarking
- Benchmarking of key players on the following parameters: Service portfolio, geographical reach, regional presence, and strategic alliances
Custom Research: Stratview Research offers custom research services across sectors. In case of any custom research requirement related to market assessment, competitive benchmarking, sourcing and procurement, target screening, and others, please send your inquiry to sales@stratviewresearch.com