India's probiotics market doubles in 5 years, hits Rs 2,070 cr in 2025
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As Indians seek ways to improve gut health, boost immunity, and enhance digestive function, probiotics are becoming a significant ingredient in their diet. Data suggest that probiotics market clocked strong double-digit growth of 22% on a Moving Annual Total (MAT) for May, as per market research firm PharmaTrac."The probiotics market has almost doubled in the last five years," said Sheetal Sapale, vice president, commercial, PharmaTrac. The probiotics market has grown from ₹1,016 crore MAT value in 2021 to ₹2,070 crore in 2025, show data.Several pharmaceutical companies including Sun Pharma , USV, Zydus , Torrent, Mankind and Dr Reddy's are leading the market, which is mostly driven by the older brands as new launches in the last two years have garnered a revenue of approximately ₹49 crore only, data showed."The probiotics market has become a very important market as far as restoration of gut health is concerned. Ailments affecting the normal gut microbe density, especially diarrhoea, dysentery and other intestinal/stomach infections, need consumption of probiotics along with anti-infectives. In some cases, consumption of some medications also involves nausea and vomiting as side effects, wherein probiotics play an important role. The overall market has shown a 5-year value CAGR of 19% and a very strong growth of 22% in MAT May 2025," Sapale said.While probiotic drugs account for over 90% of the market in India, it is followed by milk and milk products. Companies such as Amul and Mother Dairy are aggressively pushing probiotics, while start-ups such as The Good Bug and WellBeing Nutrition have been also attracting significant investor interest.Jayen Mehta, MD of the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation which makes and sells a range of Amul dairy products, said they sell 3 million litres of probiotic buttermilk every day across India. Amul is the largest probiotic brand in the country, claimed the company."The category is growing in high double digits and has high momentum but remains very under-penetrated. India being a very large and growing market for processed foods also translates to a large addressable market for gut-related issues," said Kannan Sitaram, cofounder and partner of Fireside Ventures, an early-stage investment fund which has invested in The Good Bug and Wellbeing Nutrition."Our probiotic portfolio currently contributes around 45% to our overall fresh dairy products portfolio. The category is seeing strong growth...," said Manish Bandlish, MD, Mother Dairy.Last month, The Good Bug raised '100 crore in a fresh funding round led by Susquehanna Asia Venture Capital, with existing investor Fireside Ventures also participating in the round.In May, probiotics delivered a standout performance with exponential double-digit growth, signalling rising consumer preference for gut-health solutions.Dr Rakesh Patel, consultant gastroenterology, Fortis Hospital, Kalyan, said consumption is growing rapidly in India, especially among younger people, thanks to increasing health awareness and the influence of social media and healthcare experts.Adding a word of caution on its rampant usage, Dr Kaushal Madan, principal director & head-gastroenterology, hepatology & endoscopy, liver transplant and biliary sciences, at Max Hospital in Saket, New Delhi, said there are several conditions and indications where probiotics have been shown to be very effective in controlling certain conditions, but "in many other illnesses, their rampant use is possibly unwarranted."
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