Germany Breast Pump Market Report

Germany Breast Pump Market Executive Summary

The Germany Breast Pump Market is at around $107.6 Mn in 2023 and is projected to reach $170.5 Mn in 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period.

A breast pump is a mechanical device that lactating women use to extract milk from their breasts. They are available in two forms; they can be manual devices powered by hand or foot movements or automatic devices powered by electricity. Breast pumps are available in a variety of styles to meet the demands of moms. Hand-operated manual pumps are lightweight and silent, making them ideal for sporadic usage. Electric pumps are often used on a regular basis because of their higher efficiency and ability to run on mains or batteries. There are several uses for breast pumps. Many parents use them to continue breastfeeding after they return to work. They express their milk at work, which is later bottle-fed to their child by a caregiver. A breast pump may be also used to address a range of challenges parents may encounter during breastfeeding, including difficulties latching, separation from an infant in intensive care, feeding an infant who cannot extract sufficient milk itself from the breast, to avoid passing medication through breast milk to the baby, or to relieve engorgement, which is a painful condition whereby the breasts are overfull.

The Germany Breast Pump Market is driven by significant factors such as the rising female workforce, technological advancements, and growing consumer awareness. However, stringent regulations, physical discomfort, and negative perceptions of breast pumps restrict the growth and potential of the market.

The major players in the Germany Breast Pump Market are Elvie, Bistos, Ameda, Avent, Evenflo, and Ardo Medical AG, among others. Ardo Medical AG is known for its hospital-grade and personal breast pumps designed for comfort and efficiency. Their pumps are designed to mimic a baby's sucking pattern for effective milk expression.

Market Dynamics

Market Growth Drivers

Rising Female Workforce: In 2023, women made up 46.68% of Germany's labor force. As more women join the workforce, the demand for breast pumps has risen, allowing working mothers to efficiently express milk while away from their infants, thus supporting breastfeeding. Government initiatives and improved healthcare infrastructure further contribute to market growth, with the expanding female workforce being a key driver of breast pump demand in Germany.

Technological Advancements: To provide a personalized pumping experience, modern breast pumps are equipped with features like digital displays, memory functions, and adjustable suction settings. Convenience and discretion have increased as wearable and hands-free solutions are introduced. Connectivity to a smartphone also makes it possible to track milk production and pumping sessions. These developments have greatly facilitated and enhanced working mothers’ nursing experiences, which has benefited market expansion.

Growing Consumer Awareness: Educational efforts, social media campaigning, and breastfeeding promotion by healthcare professionals have all helped to raise awareness. Demand for breast pumps is increasing as mothers understand the benefits of nursing while working or away from their newborns. Technological advancements, convenience of use, and cleanliness features all contribute to increased customer interest in breast pumps. Thus, the Breast Pump Market is expanding due to increased customer awareness.

Market Restraints

Stringent Regulations: Germany has stringent regulations for medical devices, including breast pumps which are designed to ensure the safety and efficacy of these products. The regulatory framework is primarily governed by the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) of the European Union, which has been directly incorporated into German law. These stringent regulations contribute to decreased market growth by challenging market entry, delaying the introduction of new products, and increasing costs for consumers.

Physical Discomfort: Breast pump use can often lead to physical discomfort. Common issues include sore breasts, pain caused by improper fit or suction, and hand fatigue from manual pumping. These discomforts can significantly impact a mother’s pumping experience and make it challenging to maintain a consistent milk supply. This results in decreased demand and limits market expansion.

Negative Perceptions of Breast Pumps: Breastfeeding mothers often face social stigma and negative perceptions when using breast pumps, creating a hostile environment for pumping. This lack of support discourages breast pump usage, hindering market growth as fewer mothers feel comfortable or willing to adopt this method of feeding their babies.

Regulatory Landscape and Reimbursement Scenario

The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM, Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte) is the primary regulating body in Germany for pharmaceuticals. The main goal of BfArM is to protect public health in Germany by guaranteeing the efficacy, safety, and quality of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment. BfArM reviews and grants marketing authorizations for new drugs and medical devices to ensure strict safety and efficacy requirements. Clinical trials carried out in Germany are also supervised to ensure they follow ethical principles and protect the rights of study participants.

For approval, the pharmaceutical companies must submit a completed MAA (Marketing Authorization Application) which can be used for drugs meant for the German market (National Procedure) or for the drugs intended for commercialization throughout the European Union (EU) through the EMA (European Medicines Agency). Through the EMA, products can be authorized through the National Procedure, the Centralised Procedure (CP), the Decentralised Procedure (DCP), or the Mutual Recognition Procedure (MRP). In this case, BfArM acts as a national competent authority (NCA) within the EMA framework. It then issues a final decision of either approval, conditional approval, or refusal after conducting a review and evaluation of the MAA based on safety, efficacy, quality, and risk-benefit ratio.

The majority of people in Germany are covered by statutory health insurance (SHI), which is based on the social insurance model of healthcare delivery. A wide range of services are covered by statutory health insurance (SHI), including hospital stays, doctor visits, specialist consultations, preventive care, and rehabilitation. Employer and employee contributions provide the funding for SHI. Some people have the option of purchasing private health insurance (PHI), which has lower co-payments and more comprehensive coverage than SHI.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players

Here are some of the major key players in the Germany Breast Pump Market:

• Elvie
• Bistos
• Ameda
• Avent
• Evenflo
• Ardo Medical AG
• Playtex
• Perifit
• Kimetech GmbH
• Medela AG