Enteral Feeding is the process of delivering complete nutritional food directly into a patient’s intestine or stomach via a feeding tube. As per the National Library of Medicine, patients who receive a percutaneous feeding tube have a thirty-day mortality risk of about (18-24%) and a one-year mortality risk of nearly (50-63)%. Nearly 70% of the survivors showed no improvement in their nutritional status.

The global enteral feeding tube market in 2021 was $3.48 billion, and by 2030 it will reach $6.088 billion, representing a CAGR of 6.38% throughout the forecast period 2021-2030. 

Key Industry Drivers

• Rising cases of chronic diseases worldwide is one of the main reason for the growth of the overall market. According to the National Health Council, nearly 133 million Americans (40 percent of the total population) suffer from ongoing and untreatable chronic diseases. Almost half of adults have a chronic condition, and nearly 8% of children aged 5 to 17 have at least one chronic disorder.

• Apart from the rising number of chronic diseases, the steady growth of the senior population, a continuous increase in the number of preterm births, an increase in the preference for enteral Feeding over parenteral Feeding, an increase in enteral nutrition awareness, and the development of health centers globally are boosting the overall market growth at a rapid pace.

• Furthermore, the increased use of various types of feeding tubes, such as Nasogastric tubes, Orogastric tubes, Nasoenteric tubes, Nasojejunal tubes, Jejunostomy tubes, and so on, is driving the overall market growth.

Market Restraints

Enteral Feeding is a quick and low-cost method of providing therapeutic nutrition to patients. Moreover, there are a few disadvantages to using these devices, which result in higher healthcare costs. Most enteral feeding problems are minor, but sometimes they can be quite serious. Despite their lower frequency and severity, enteral feeding metabolic issues are similar to those seen with parenteral nutrition. Close monitoring can help to reduce or prevent these issues. Furthermore, these issues and associated mortality pose a barrier to the widespread use of enteral feeding devices.

Opportunities

Because of its high-quality and diverse healthcare markets, increasing incidence of R&D initiatives for developing new feeding technologies, and continuous rise in chronic disorders and infectious diseases, the APAC region is expected to provide infinite growth opportunities in the future. 

Enteral feeding devices market segmentation

• By-products, the market is segmented into enteral feeding pumps, enteral feeding tubes, enteral syringes, giving sets, and consumables.

‘Enteral feeding pumps occupied the market in 2020, with an overall market share of 37.51% of the total global market, and are expected to grow at the fastest rate with a CAGR of 6.58% due to an increase in usage among patients worldwide who are lacking vital micronutrients.

• On the basis of age, the market is divided into children, adults, and pediatrics.

With a CAGR of 6.171%, the ‘Adult’ segment held the largest share in 2020. The National Library of Medicine stated that in 2017 there were 248,846 adult and 189,036 pediatric patients, indicating that more adults depend on feeding tubes. Patients’ inability to swallow food and a lack of proper nutrition is significantly driving the growth of this segment.

• By application, the market for enteral feeding devices is segmented into gastrointestinal disease, cancer, malnutrition, neurological disorder, and others.

The ‘Cancer’ segment ruled the market in 2020, with a CAGR of 6.897%. As per the National Center for Biotechnology Information, the total number of cancer cases worldwide increased to 19.3 million in 2020, and according to ACS Journals, there were 1,806,590 new cancer cases in the United States in 2020, with digestive system cancer accounting for the highest number of cases (333,680 or nearly 18.47%).

• The market is divided into three end users: hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs), and home care.

In 2020, the Hospitals segment had the largest market share, with a total value of USD 1.773 billion and a CAGR of 6.613%. The increased use of feeding tubes due to their extensive availability in hospitals drives the segment’s rapid growth.

• The market is examined across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.

Due to rising awareness of the use of enteral feeding devices and its rate of early approvals, North America was the dominant region, with an overall market share of 33.213% in 2020.

The APAC region, on the other hand, had the fastest growth rate in this market, with a CAGR of 7.13% over the forecasted period.

Competitive landscape

Because of the presence of large players, the Enteral Feeding Devices industry is highly competitive and centralized. As the industry grows, these players focus on mergers and strategic partnerships. Companies are making critical decisions to introduce new products to invest in and expand their market share.

Major players in the market are:

• Becton, Dickinson, and Company
• CONMED Corporation
• Boston Scientific Corporation
• Danone S. A.
• Cardinal Health Inc.
• Other players

Rapidly increasing healthcare costs, an increase in the number of preterm births, population growth; increased incidence of chronic diseases; increasing awareness of enteral nutrition; and sudden advancements in healthcare facilities in developing countries are anticipated to boost the market further during the forecast period.