The UK baby food, drink and milk market has experienced high levels of inflation in recent years and while volume sales edged up by just 6% between 2008 and 2013, this translated into value growth of 42% to £653 million. This was particularly fuelled by rapidly rising prices within the baby milk market, this accounting for 60% of the total market’s value in 2013.

The rise in the number of births has benefited the overall market, however, the migration from manufactured to homemade versions continues to hinder the baby food segment, with volume sales in decline. This reflects the many advantages parents associate with making their own, including taste, control over ingredients and cost.

This report includes products manufactured specifically for babies and infants aged primarily under 2 years, although manufacturers are targeting older infants with commercial products.

The report covers:

• milks, including liquid ready-to-feed (RTF) products

• meals and desserts (wet and dry, including cereals and dairy-based)

• baby drinks

• finger foods, including rusks, ‘extruded snacks’, baby rice cakes, biscuits and fruit snacks.

Baby drinks include ready-to-drink (RTD) liquids, which are generally presented in plastic bottles for decanting into a feeding bottle or beaker, as well as concentrates, and powdered granulated drinks, for dilution with water.

Value figures throughout this report are at retail selling prices unless otherwise stated. Market sizes at constant 2012 prices have been devised using Mintel’s food deflator. Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen’s Printer for Scotland.