Global Feeding Tubes Market Analysis

The global feeding tubes market size is expected to reach US$ 9.69 billion by 2030, from US$ 6.34 billion in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period. Feeding tubes are medical devices used to provide nutrition or medicines directly into the stomach or intestines of patients who cannot swallow food normally. The tubes allow nutrients, fluids, and medications to be delivered directly into the gastrointestinal tract. Feeding tubes are inserted through the nose, mouth, or directly through the abdomen. They are commonly used in hospitals, nursing homes, and for home care patients.

The key advantages of feeding tubes are that they can provide complete balanced nutrition, ensure patients receive required medications, and prevent aspiration in patients with swallowing difficulties. The rising prevalence of chronic diseases like cancer, neurological disorders, and gastrointestinal disorders is driving the demand for feeding tubes globally.

The global feeding tubes market is segmented by product type, age group, application, end user, material type, and region. By product type, the market is segmented into nasogastric tubes, gastrostomy tubes, jejunostomy tubes, and others. Nasogastric tubes held the largest share in 2022 due to their common use for short-term feeding in hospitals.

Global Feeding Tubes Market Drivers:

Increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and conditions: The rising prevalence of chronic diseases and conditions leading to dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing is a major factor driving the feeding tubes market growth. Chronic diseases like stroke, cancer, neurological disorders, trauma, and injuries can impair the swallowing process, increasing risks of aspiration and malnutrition. Feeding tubes provide an alternate route for providing nutrition in such patients. Feeding tubes play a crucial role in providing nutrition in post-stroke dysphagia patients. Their use has increased in conditions like head-neck cancers and dementia as well where impaired swallowing can lead to unwanted weight loss. For instance, according to an article published by the World Health Organization (WHO), 2022, worldwide risk of cancer is increasing. The most common cancers in 2020 were:

• Breast (2.26 Million Cases)
• Lung (2.21 Million Cases)
• Colon And Rectum (1.93 Million Cases)
• Prostate (1.41 Million Cases)
• Skin (Non-Melanoma) (1.20 Million Cases)
• Stomach (1.09 Million Cases)

Strong focus on Technological Advancements: Technological advancements in feeding tubes by the market players is expected to fuel the growth of the global feeding tubes market over the forecast period. For instance, in July 2023, Cook, a medical devices manufacturing company, launched its new Entuit Thrive Balloon Retention Gastrostomy Feeding Tube in the U.S. The new Entuit enteral feeding product line, which includes a full range of items for both gastrostomy and gastropexy procedures, includes a feeding tube.

Global Feeding Tubes Market Opportunities:

• Increasing launch of new products: Key market players are focusing on launching new products, which is expected to drive the growth of the global feeding tubes market over the forecast period. For instance, in June 2021, Applied Medical Technology, Inc., a manufacturer of healthcare devices, announced the launch of a mobile app, AMT ONE Source. AMT ONE Source provides parents, caregivers, and patients with quick and easy access to training resources. The app offers up-to-date product information and fun activities for the enteral nutrition and bowel management communities.
• Market Players engaged in inorganic activities such as partnership: Market players are indulged into inorganic activities such as partnership which is expected to fuel the growth of the global feeding tubes market over the forecast period. For instance, in 2020, Baxter International Inc., a manufacturer in clinical nutrition, and VIPUN Medical, a company developing technology solutions to help improve medical nutrition, entered into an agreement in order to commercialize VIPUN Gastric Monitoring System. This system is an enteral feeding tube, which is designed to measure stomach motility in order to help clinicians identify enteral feeding intolerance and make better-informed nutrition therapy decisions in the intensive care unit (ICU) and other settings. As part of the agreement, Baxter will support clinical studies required to achieve regulatory approval in key markets worldwide and gain global distribution rights. Additional terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Global Feeding Tubes Market Restraints:

• Lack of awareness among the medical society about enteral feeding devices: It is expected that the lack of awareness among the medical society about enteral feeding devices can hamper the growth of the global enteral feeding devices market over the forecast period. Medical professionals must prescribe enteral feeding devices and oversee them. Although these products are becoming more popular, consumers, doctors, and pharmacists still don't fully understand them. Dieticians are typically aware of these items, but the majority of doctors and experts are not. This barrier stops physicians from recommending or implementing enteral nutrition, which may limit the market expansion. Key players are focusing on spreading awareness about enteral feeding devices, and this is expected to drive the market growth over the forecast period.
• High costs of enteral feeding equipment and procedures: High costs associated with enteral feeding equipment and procedures is one of the major factors restraining the growth of the feeding tubes market. Feeding tubes require frequent replacement and associated procedures like insertion and removal also have significant costs. Enteral feeding, which provides nutrition through feeding tubes, involves costs of different feeding tubes, feeding solutions, and syringes on a daily or weekly basis. These recurrent costs for lifelong care of patients dependent on enteral nutrition pile up substantially over time. For example, according to the 2020 study published by the U.K.'s National Health Service, the average annual cost of home enteral tube feeding per patient was estimated to be around US$ 7,000- US$ 8,000. The preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for 2022 estimated that in the U.S., around 3 million people receiving enteral nutrition at home and in long-term care facilities incur a total annual cost of over US$ 25 billion. These high recurrent equipment and procedure costs for enteral feeding pose a significant financial burden, especially on patients and families with low socioeconomic status or without adequate health insurance. This acts as a major restricting factor for the broader adoption of enteral feeding tubes and adversely impacts the market's growth trajectory over the long term.