The eubiotic products market was valued at $2,198.9 million in 2013 and is estimated to grow at a healthy compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6 per cent from 2014 to 2019, according to a new report published by MarketsandMarkets.
In 2013, Europe led the global market with the highest share followed by Asia-Pacific and North America in terms of market value.
The eubiotics market, accoridng to the report, is defined as natural digestive stimulants, which create a healthy microfloral balance in the gastrointestinal tract that is essential for animal production. The term refers to feed additives such as probiotics, prebiotics, essential oils, and organic acids. It can be a single component or a combination of two or more than two components.
The gut microbiota is perceived as a key player in the health and well-being of livestock and therefore a composition with more of the potentially health-promoting dominant microorganisms (especially the saccharolytic genera/species e.g. bifidobacteria) than the potentially harmful ones (especially the proteolytic/putrefactive genera/species) would result in a situation known as a normobiotic or eubiotic condition.
Piglets are highly susceptible to enteric disorders during the immediate period after weaning. Diarrhea is a common post-weaning condition and is characterised by reduced digestive capacity in young pigs leading to poor growth performance. To mitigate these effects, the swine industry has historically fed weaned pigs complex diets based on ingredients such as processed blood proteins and milk by-products and routinely supplemented starter diets with sub-therapeutic levels of antibiotics as growth promoters. However, the current trend is to eliminate the use of antibiotics from swine diets for fear of risking human health with the possible transfer of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to humans. Feed additives (i.e. eubiotics) are used to optimise the gut health and growth performance of weaned piglets, in general, and those raised under antibiotic-free feeding regimens in particular.
The report also covers various other important aspects of the market. It includes an analysis of the competitive landscape and the patent analysis. In addition, 10 key players of this market have been profiled.