Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food Market Size, Share, Growth, and Regional Forecast, 2025 - 2032

Ready-to-use Therapeutics Food Market Share and Trends Analysis

The global ready-to-use therapeutic food market size is valued at US$ 782.1 million in 2025 and projected to reach US$ 1,145.3 million by 2032. The market is projected to record a CAGR of 5.6% from 2025 to 2032. The market growth is increasingly dynamic, driven by humanitarian needs, technological innovations, and strategic collaborations. Manufacturers, startups, and agencies are aligning to improve accessibility, quality, and cultural acceptability, creating new opportunities in life-saving nutrition.

Key Industry Highlights:

• Leading Region: Middle East & Africa, holding 56% market share, driven by high malnutrition prevalence, humanitarian programs, and government-supported nutrition campaigns.
• Fastest-Growing Region: North America, fueled by proactive emergency preparedness, eco-friendly production, fortified formulations, and logistics optimization.
• Fastest-Growing Product Type Segment: RUTF Paste, preferred for nutrient density, shelf stability, and ease of consumption in field programs.
• Market Drivers: Expanding humanitarian aid programs in conflict and disaster-affected regions increase demand for RUTF to combat child malnutrition.
• Opportunities: Introducing culturally adapted flavors to enhance acceptability among children, leveraging local ingredients and sensory research.
• Key Developments: In September 2025, Ghana launched a program targeting 90% malnutrition treatment coverage. In April 2025, Nutrition for Growth Summit secured $27.55 billion in global nutrition commitments. In October 2024, UNICEF issued a $165 million appeal to scale up RUTF supplies worldwide.

Key Insights	Details
Global Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food Market Size (2025E)	US$ 782.1 Mn
Market Value Forecast (2032F)	US$ 1,145.3 Mn
Projected Growth (CAGR 2025 to 2032)	5.6%
Historical Market Growth (CAGR 2019 to 2024)	4.3%

Market Dynamics

Driver - Increasing humanitarian aid programs in conflict and disaster-affected regions

Humanitarian aid programs are rapidly expanding in conflict zones and disaster-affected regions, driving significant demand for ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF). Organizations are distributing RUTF to combat acute malnutrition among vulnerable populations, particularly children under five, in regions facing food insecurity, displacement, or natural disasters. For instance, ongoing relief efforts in Yemen address widespread child malnutrition amid conflict, while programs in East Africa’s drought-hit areas provide lifesaving RUTF to affected communities. In response to earthquakes and floods in countries like Pakistan and Haiti, international agencies are deploying fortified RUTF to stabilize health outcomes. The rising global focus on emergency nutrition and rapid response mechanisms ensures sustained procurement, positioning RUTF as a critical component in humanitarian interventions worldwide.

Restraints - Funding fluctuations from donors and governments impact production planning and scalability

Funding volatility from governments and donors is creating significant challenges for the global Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) market, directly impacting production planning and scalability. UNICEF reported that fluctuations in 2024 and 2025 funding streams could leave millions of children without timely access to lifesaving RUTF, with some regions facing interruptions for over 2.4 million children. Such uncertainty forces manufacturers to adjust production schedules, scale back shifts, or delay new investments, affecting supply chain efficiency and inventory management. Smaller producers are particularly vulnerable, as limited financial flexibility makes absorbing these funding swings difficult. The unpredictability also hampers long-term strategic planning, slowing innovation and expansion of facilities. Ensuring consistent donor and government support remains critical to sustaining RUTF availability worldwide.

Opportunity - Introducing culturally adapted flavors to enhance acceptability among children in diverse regions

Tailoring Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) with culturally adapted flavors offers a compelling opportunity to improve acceptance and consumption among children in diverse regions. Flavor profiles that reflect local tastes such as mango or coconut in Southeast Asia, peanut and chocolate in West Africa, or rice and banana in Latin America can significantly enhance compliance with nutritional programs. Startups and established manufacturers can differentiate their products by investing in sensory research, collaborating with local communities, and incorporating culturally familiar ingredients while maintaining nutrient integrity. Fortified RUTF products with appealing flavors encourage higher intake, reducing treatment dropouts and improving recovery rates. Leveraging this strategy supports both health outcomes and market expansion, enabling manufacturers to scale effectively in culturally diverse, high-need regions worldwide.

Category-wise Analysis

By Product Type: RUTF Paste dominates the global Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food market

RUTF Paste holds approx. 64% market share as of 2024, maintaining dominance due to its nutrient-dense formulation, ease of consumption, and long shelf life, making it highly suitable for malnourished children in emergency and community-based programs. Its ready-to-eat consistency eliminates the need for preparation, ensuring precise nutrient delivery and minimizing contamination risks, which is critical in low-resource settings. RUTF Biscuits and Bars are gaining traction for their convenience, portion-controlled servings, and portability, making them ideal for school feeding programs and field distribution. RUTF Powder or Dry Mix offers flexibility, allowing caregivers to reconstitute the product with local ingredients, supporting localized nutritional programs. The combination of efficiency, adaptability, and accessibility reinforces RUTF Paste as the preferred choice globally.

By End-user Insights: UNICEF holds the foremost position in sourcing RUTF globally across all end-user categories

UNICEF holds the foremost position in sourcing Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) globally, accounting for approximately 75–80% of the funded demand across all end-user categories. Its procurement strategy relies on long-term arrangements (LTAs) with 21 manufacturers, ensuring a consistent and reliable supply of high-quality RUTF, with existing agreements valid through December 2023. To maintain continuity and address growing nutritional needs, UNICEF planned a new tender in 2023 to establish LTAs for deliveries starting in 2024 and beyond. These strategic partnerships enable UNICEF to respond swiftly to humanitarian crises, maintain inventory stability, and ensure timely distribution to malnourished children worldwide, reinforcing its central role as the primary global procurer of RUTF in emergency and community-based programs.

Region-wise Insights

Middle East & Africa Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food Market Trends

Middle East & Africa holds approximately 56% market share in the global Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) Market, reflecting the region’s high prevalence of malnutrition and ongoing humanitarian initiatives. Countries across Africa, including Nigeria, Ethiopia, and South Sudan, are witnessing increased distribution of RUTF through community health programs, emergency relief operations, and government-supported nutrition campaigns. Innovations in packaging and culturally adapted flavors are improving acceptance among children, while mobile clinics and local health workers are enhancing reach in remote and conflict-affected areas. Partnerships between NGOs, local manufacturers, and international aid agencies are strengthening supply chains, ensuring timely delivery, and enabling scalable production. Rising awareness of nutrition and proactive interventions are shaping market growth across the region.

North America Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food Market Trends

North America’s Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) Market is evolving as health agencies and humanitarian organizations enhance preparedness for emergencies and disaster relief. In the U.S. and Canada, emphasis is on developing shelf-stable, nutrient-dense formulations that meet regulatory standards while catering to diverse dietary requirements. Innovations include fortified RUTF with plant-based proteins, reduced sugar content, and improved texture to increase acceptability among children. Partnerships with logistics providers and technology-driven supply chains are optimizing distribution to remote or underserved areas. Startups and established manufacturers are exploring eco-friendly packaging and local production to reduce environmental impact and delivery timelines. Growing awareness of global malnutrition crises is driving proactive engagement, strategic stockpiling, and collaborative programs in North America.

Competitive Landscape

The global RUTF competitive landscape is becoming increasingly collaborative and technology-driven, driven by demand from humanitarian and health sectors. Leading manufacturers are scaling capacity with fortified, regionally-tailored formulations and investing in process optimization to ensure efficient bulk production. Emerging startups are developing allergen-free or plant-based RUTF variants and partnering with NGOs to pilot community-based distribution. Philanthropic agencies and governments are offering grants, regulatory fast-tracking, and certification support to accelerate access in crisis zones. Stringent standards for nutrient stability, shelf life, and safety drive continuous R&D. Supply chains are being strengthened with local ingredient sourcing and innovative processing methods such as spray drying and aseptic packaging. Strategic alliances and long-term contracts enhance resilience and ensure rapid response in emergency settings.

Key Industry Developments:  

• In September 2025, Ghana launched an ambitious initiative aiming to achieve 90% treatment coverage for children suffering from malnutrition. The program focuses on expanding access to therapeutic foods and strengthening community-based nutrition services.
• In April 2025, the Nutrition for Growth Summit in Paris convened over 127 delegations, including 106 governments and multiple global organizations, to address global nutrition challenges. The summit secured a record $27.55 billion in financial commitments, marking an unprecedented investment in nutrition initiatives worldwide.
• In October 2024, UNICEF issued a $165 million appeal to urgently scale up therapeutic food supplies as child malnutrition reaches alarming levels worldwide. The funding aims to accelerate procurement and delivery of life-saving ready-to-use therapeutic foods to the most vulnerable regions facing escalating hunger crises.
• In July 2024, UNICEF delivered 12,400 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) to Jigawa State, Nigeria, targeting the treatment of 14,000 children suffering from wasting. The initiative aims to combat acute malnutrition and improve child health outcomes in the region.

Companies Covered in Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food Market

• Insta Products Ltd.
• Nutriset SAS
• Diva Nutritional Products Pty Ltd. 
• Mana Nutrition
• Hilina Enriched Foods PLC
• GC Rieber Compact AS
• Tabatchnick Fine Foods Inc.
• Samil Industrial Co. Ltd.
• Amendyn
• Edesia Nutrition
• Others