Concentrated grape juice in infant nutrition: opportunities for innovation

The WHO and UNICEF recommend providing complementary foods from six months of age that are safe and nutritionally adequate. It is from the second half of life onwards that infants’ nutrient and energy needs begin to exceed what breast milk provides. In addition, it is at this age that babies are considered to be sufficiently developed to eat other foods. Of course, these complementary foods should be varied, nutrient-rich, fortified, etc., to help infants develop a taste for different flavors, textures, aromas, and presentations, promoting good eating habits that they should maintain in later life. They should also be foods that can be gradually incorporated into the infant’s menu, helping children become familiar with handling, chewing, tasting, and swallowing foods other than milk. But what ingredients are most suitable? To answer this question, we must look into emerging trends, such as vegan foods, organic products, natural ingredients, allergen-free options… products that balance proper nutrition for the baby with the busy lifestyles of parents.

In this post, we explore how grape juice is increasingly being incorporated into infant formulations, transforming the baby food category. We offer a broad overview of the opportunities that concentrated grape juice offers for the development of foods for young children.

• The global baby food market: figures and trends
• Why can concentrated grape juice cover innovation in the baby food industry?
• Applications and opportunities for innovation
• JULIÁN SOLER: from grapes to the future of the baby food industry

The global baby food market: figures and trends

Infant nutrition encompasses all types of preparations and formulas other than breast milk. These are foods designed to be soft, solid, or liquid, easy and safe to consume, and capable of providing the nutrients and energy that babies, infants, and young children need. Known as complementary foods or baby food, demand for these products is growing at a rapid pace. There are several reasons for this: the increase in women entering the workforce, the time constraints that exist today, the growing concern among parents to provide better nutrition for their children that is tailored to their needs, and even the diversification of subcategories.

The figures published by various global market research reports agree on a trend of sustained growth in the baby food market, as well as the emergence of high-value niches. Let’s take a look:

• According to Fortune Business Insights:
  • 2024. The baby food market size was $109.02 billion.
  • 2025. It is projected to grow to $115.70 billion.
  • 2032. It is estimated to reach $185.47 billion, at a compound annual growth rate of 6.97%.

In 2024, the Asia-Pacific region dominated the baby food market, with a share of 64.17%. Countries such as China and India are experiencing growing demand for nutritious infant products. Meanwhile, in the United States, demand for infant foods is forecast to increase, mainly due to a rise in the birth rate and strong support for product innovation.

Although in terms of innovation, data from Innova Market Insights shows that Europe accounts for the largest number of product launches for babies and young children, with 42% of the global total. Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific is experiencing the fastest growth. What types of foods and beverages stand out? For example, baby snacks, cereal- or dairy-based formulations, dehydrated or prepared foods, innovative flavors, frozen foods… Subcategories are evolving rapidly, driven by new trends in child nutrition and demand for more practical, healthy, and differentiated options.

Tendencias en baby food

Trends in infant nutrition are mainly driven by the fact that parents want the best for their children. Consequently, this desire extends to the food they feed them. In addition, millennial parents are increasingly aware of their children’s daily nutritional needs, and they are also becoming more aware of the need for nutrients that facilitate the development of the immune system, the nervous system, bones, etc. On the other hand, there are specific cases, such as when breastfeeding is not possible or children show symptoms of allergies… Below is a summary of the most relevant trends in infant food innovation, from bottled foods and soups to refrigerated or frozen options, cereals, dry foods, and beverages.

• Clean label and organic. Clean label products, which contain no chemical additives, preservatives, gluten, or added sugars, are prominent among new food and beverage launches for babies and young children. These products must also be organic and natural, allergen-free, and made with high-quality ingredients that have been grown or processed without fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides. Low/reduced-calorie or low/reduced-glycemic index foods are also growing in popularity.
• Trendy flavors. The trend in children’s foods shows the following flavors: popular fruits in each region, cocoa, seaweed, sweet corn, vanilla, cinnamon, etc.
• Foods that contribute to children’s muscle development, promoting the progress of babies’ motor skills and mobility.
• Formulations with probiotic or functional benefits that contribute to children’s intestinal, digestive, and immune health.
• Products with plant-based ingredients. For example, algae are used as a source of omega-3 fatty acids.
• Reduction and replacement of refined sugars. Innovation in the baby food market is always on the lookout for natural sweeteners.
• Transparency and traceability. Ingredients must be tracked from their origin, and the respective certifications must be provided.
• Convenience foods are products that are industrially prepared or partially prepared so that they can be easily consumed. Examples include dehydrated (powdered) baby food. This is a growing trend among professional women and working couples with busy schedules, as it saves time and effort.

Why can concentrated grape juice cover innovation in the baby food industry?

Concentrated grape juice or must has a number of attributes that make it a strategic raw material for the baby food industry: it has a rich nutritional profile, abundant phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity, sweetening capacity, and various organoleptic properties that help reduce artificial additives in baby food. Furthermore, if the concentrated grape juice comes from a controlled and certified production chain, such as the process we carry out at JULIÁN SOLER, the commercial value of the must increases even further.

Concentrated grape juice: global production and supply

The quality of our concentrated white and red grape juice stems from the cultivation and harvesting process. We maintain a mixed model in which we cultivate our own vineyards and also purchase raw materials from local cooperatives in Castilla-La Mancha, always with guarantees of high quality and traceability. Thus, we receive only fresh, certified grapes at our facilities and carry out a unique process to obtain SO2-free (sulfite-free), pesticide-free, and allergen-free grape juice; a process in which we maintain the intensity of the flavor and color, the nutritional profile, and all the physical and chemical properties of the grape. These guarantees and properties are ideal for the formulation of foods aimed at demanding consumers, such as babies and young children.

In addition, we have special storage capacity, with advanced cold storage and freezing chambers that allow us to preserve the properties of concentrated grape juice all year round, offering our customers a global, continuous, high-quality, and monitored supply to anywhere in the world, using the mode of transport required by companies. This guarantee of supply is an essential requirement for food manufacturers, preventing the risk of stock shortages and facilitating scalability at an industrial level.

Global Positioning

The baby food market demands ingredients that go beyond nutritional quality; it requires ingredients that inspire confidence and differentiation. That is why our concentrated grape juice offers our customers added value compared to global competitors. We are ambassadors for grapes from Castilla-La Mancha, a region recognized worldwide as the largest vineyard in the world, with a privileged location that guarantees the cultivation and supply of red and white grapes of the highest quality for the production of high-quality must. This conveys identity, authenticity, and the guarantee of a natural origin, all attributes appreciated by brands and consumers in the baby food market. In addition, the digital traceability of our product is a differentiating factor and a seal of trust that resonates with consumers.

Nutritional profile of grape juice for infant feeding

Concentrated red and white grape juices retain the vitamins and minerals found in grapes. They are rich in vitamins C, A, and K, as well as minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, and calcium, which are essential for strengthening the immune system. They also retain the natural sugars of grapes, which are sources of energy (only fructose and glucose, without sucrose). They also contain bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties. Compared to other fruits commonly used in baby food, such as apples or pears, grapes stand out for their higher antioxidant content, mainly flavonoids and resveratrol, which are essential for early cell protection.

The organoleptic characteristics of concentrated grape juice, including its sweet taste, attractive colors, and intense grape aroma, allow for the development and optimization of food formulations without the need to add sweeteners, flavorings, or artificial colors. It is an interesting profile that makes it an ideal ingredient for enriching children’s food options.

Quality processes and standards

Each stage of production of JULIÁN SOLER concentrated grape juice is governed by strict food safety and quality protocols. We have international certifications that accredit our processes.

This reinforces the confidence of national and international baby food brands seeking safe, high-quality ingredients with global appeal.

Some of our certifications are:

• The FSSC 22000 certificate, in which AENOR certifies our food safety management system, covering our production system (concentration, filtration, and stabilization) of concentrated must, as well as the packaging of rectified must.
• The AENOR certificate, which certifies that our facilities have a food safety management system in accordance with the UNE-EN ISO 22000 standard.
• The CAAE Certification, which certifies compliance with EU regulations on organic production.
• The certificate of registration with the FDA, in accordance with the Food Safety Modernization Act of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Functional properties

Concentrated grape must is an ingredient with positive biological effects, thanks to its exceptional nutritional and phytochemical profile. Let’s take a look at some of its functional properties:

• Cell protection. Concentrated grape juice contains powerful antioxidants such as resveratrol and anthocyanins, which reduce oxidative stress and prevent cell damage.
• Regulation of intestinal microbiota. The polyphenols present in concentrated grape juice can act as probiotics, balancing the intestinal microbiota and preventing inflammation.
• Enhancement of key physiological processes, such as strengthening the immune system. This is thanks to the synergy of the vitamins and minerals present in concentrated must.
• Reduced use of sugars. The natural sweetness of concentrated must makes it a substitute for refined added sugars, making it an ingredient in line with the trend towards reducing artificial sweeteners in baby food.
• Natural coloring. Concentrated red grape juice, especially the highly colored concentrated must we obtain from the Garnacha Tintorera variety, offers natural coloring that adds visual appeal to infant formulations, incorporating tones and aromatic notes that improve the acceptance of beverages and foods.

Safety for infant feeding

The concentrated grape juice produced by JULIÁN SOLER is a 100% virgin product, free from sulfites and allergens, perfect for natural formulations for babies and young children. It is a safe ingredient, whose production phases comply with European and US food safety legislation.

Applications and opportunities for innovation

Below are some specific applications where concentrated grape juice can be used in the formulation of new baby food products:

• Drinks for young children over 12 months old. Such as Gerber white grape juices, 100% fruit, with no added sugar or artificial colors.
• Multifruit purées or baby food. Such as HiPP Organic apple and grape purées.
• Baked snacks in different flavors, including those inspired by dishes. For example, oat bars with apple and grape mixes, crispy chips, or corn balls. In this case, concentrated grape juice can be added to improve texture, retain moisture, add sweetness or color, or enrich the nutritional profile.
• Yogurts for children over 12 months old. In this case, the probiotic or antioxidant properties of concentrated grape juice can be exploited.

JULIÁN SOLER: from grapes to the future of the baby food industry

Our commitment to innovation translates into dedicated support for our customers. We have our own laboratory, equipped with cutting-edge technology for juice analysis. This allows us to guarantee the quality of our product and assist B2B customers in developing baby food products based on concentrated white and red grape must. In addition, our R&D department accompanies them in every phase of the innovation project. We have been producing and exporting concentrated grape juice for over 60 years. We are present on all 5 continents. Request a sample of the must. We are your Global Grape Solution Supplier.