Market overview
The global fermented food market is worth USD 221 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 360 bn by 2036, growing at a 5.0% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Yoghurt and fermented milks is the largest by product segment.
| Scope | Fermented foods excluding alcoholic drinks: yoghurt and fermented milks, fermented soy products, kimchi and pickled vegetables, and other cultured foods. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and Beverage |
| Value 2025 | USD 210 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 221 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 360 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 5.0% |
| Volume 2026 | 119,192 thousand tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 167,294 thousand tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 1,853 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Fermented Food market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 221 bn |
| 2027 | USD 232 bn |
| 2028 | USD 244 bn |
| 2029 | USD 256 bn |
| 2030 | USD 269 bn |
| 2031 | USD 282 bn |
| 2032 | USD 296 bn |
| 2033 | USD 311 bn |
| 2034 | USD 326 bn |
| 2035 | USD 343 bn |
| 2036 | USD 360 bn |
Fermented Food market segmentation
By product
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yoghurt and fermented milks | 52.0% | 50.8% | USD 115 bn | 4.7% |
| Fermented soy products | 24.0% | 22.8% | USD 53.0 bn | 4.5% |
| Pickled and fermented vegetables | 14.0% | 15.0% | USD 30.9 bn | 5.7% |
| Other fermented foods | 10.0% | 11.5% | USD 22.1 bn | 6.4% |
By distribution
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supermarkets and hypermarkets | 55.0% | 50.9% | USD 122 bn | 4.2% |
| Convenience and specialty | 20.0% | 20.4% | USD 44.2 bn | 5.2% |
| Foodservice | 15.0% | 14.6% | USD 33.1 bn | 4.7% |
| Online | 10.0% | 14.1% | USD 22.1 bn | 8.7% |
By raw material
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dairy | 48.0% | 44.0% | USD 106 bn | 4.1% |
| Soy and legumes | 20.0% | 20.0% | USD 44.2 bn | 5.0% |
| Vegetables | 20.0% | 22.0% | USD 44.2 bn | 6.0% |
| Grains, tea and other | 12.0% | 14.0% | USD 26.5 bn | 6.6% |
By culture status
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live and active cultures | 54.0% | 56.0% | USD 119 bn | 5.4% |
| Heat-treated or pasteurised | 32.0% | 28.0% | USD 70.7 bn | 3.6% |
| Probiotic-fortified | 14.0% | 16.0% | USD 30.9 bn | 6.4% |
By storage type
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chilled | 62.0% | 58.0% | USD 137 bn | 4.3% |
| Ambient | 30.0% | 32.0% | USD 66.3 bn | 5.7% |
| Frozen and dried | 8.0% | 10.0% | USD 17.7 bn | 7.4% |
Top 25 countries for fermented food by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 74.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 93.0%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 44.2 bn | 20.0% | USD 75.6 bn | 5.5% |
| 2 | United States | USD 30.9 bn | 14.0% | USD 48.2 bn | 4.5% |
| 3 | India | USD 17.7 bn | 8.0% | USD 36.3 bn | 7.5% |
| 4 | Japan | USD 15.5 bn | 7.0% | USD 20.9 bn | 3.0% |
| 5 | Germany | USD 11.0 bn | 5.0% | USD 15.5 bn | 3.4% |
| 6 | France | USD 11.0 bn | 5.0% | USD 14.8 bn | 2.9% |
| 7 | Brazil | USD 8.8 bn | 4.0% | USD 14.4 bn | 5.0% |
| 8 | Indonesia | USD 8.8 bn | 4.0% | USD 17.3 bn | 6.9% |
| 9 | South Korea | USD 8.8 bn | 4.0% | USD 13.7 bn | 4.5% |
| 10 | United Kingdom | USD 6.6 bn | 3.0% | USD 9.4 bn | 3.5% |
| 11 | Russia | USD 6.2 bn | 2.8% | USD 10.2 bn | 5.0% |
| 12 | Mexico | USD 5.4 bn | 2.5% | USD 8.9 bn | 5.0% |
| 13 | Italy | USD 4.7 bn | 2.1% | USD 7.7 bn | 5.0% |
| 14 | Spain | USD 4.1 bn | 1.9% | USD 6.7 bn | 5.1% |
| 15 | Poland | USD 3.6 bn | 1.6% | USD 5.8 bn | 5.1% |
| 16 | Turkey | USD 3.1 bn | 1.4% | USD 5.0 bn | 5.0% |
| 17 | Thailand | USD 2.7 bn | 1.2% | USD 4.4 bn | 5.0% |
| 18 | Vietnam | USD 2.3 bn | 1.1% | USD 4.3 bn | 6.2% |
| 19 | Netherlands | USD 2.0 bn | 0.9% | USD 3.3 bn | 5.0% |
| 20 | Canada | USD 1.8 bn | 0.8% | USD 2.9 bn | 5.0% |
| 21 | Australia | USD 1.5 bn | 0.7% | USD 2.5 bn | 5.0% |
| 22 | Philippines | USD 1.3 bn | 0.6% | USD 2.2 bn | 5.0% |
| 23 | Egypt | USD 1.2 bn | 0.5% | USD 1.9 bn | 5.0% |
| 24 | Argentina | USD 1.0 bn | 0.5% | USD 1.7 bn | 5.0% |
| 25 | Saudi Arabia | USD 884 mn | 0.4% | USD 1.4 bn | 5.0% |
| Rest of world | USD 15.6 bn | 7.0% | USD 25.0 bn | 4.9% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Danone
- Nestle
- Lactalis
- Yakult Honsha
- Kikkoman
- Fonterra
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Meiji Holdings
- Chobani
- Muller Group
- Yili Group
- CJ CheilJedang
- Pulmuone
- Daesang
- Mizkan
- Vinamilk
- Emmi
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Lifeway Foods
- GT's Living Foods
- Wildbrine
- Farmhouse Culture
- Cleveland Kitchen
- Mother-in-Law's Kimchi
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the fermented food market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 5.0% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by product, by distribution, by raw material, by culture status, by storage type. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the fermented food market?
The global fermented food market is estimated at USD 210 bn in 2025 and USD 221 bn in 2026.
How fast will the fermented food market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 360 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 5.0% from 2026, an increase of USD 139 bn.
Which country is the largest market for fermented food?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 44.2 bn in 2026, 20.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 42.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 7.5% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which fermented food segment is largest?
In the by product split, Yoghurt and fermented milks is the largest segment with 52.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading fermented food companies?
Global leaders include Danone, Nestle, Lactalis, Yakult Honsha.
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