Wheat Flour Market Forecasts to 2030 – Global Analysis By Type (High Gluten Flour, All-Purpose Flour, Whole Wheat Flour, Semolina Flour, Bread Flour, Fine Wheat Flour and Other Types), Wheat Type (Soft, Hard and Semi-hard), Category, Distribution Channel, Application, End User and By Geography
According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Wheat Flour Market is accounted for $75.71 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $123.34 billion by 2030 growing at a CAGR of 6.7% during the forecast period. Wheat flour is a powdery substance obtained by grinding or milling wheat grains. Wheat flour is a staple in many cuisines and serves as the basis for a wide variety of food products. Wheat flour is primarily composed of starch, which makes up the bulk of the flour. It also contains proteins, fibers, vitamins, and minerals. It is produced through a process that involves cleaning the wheat grains, milling them into a fine powder, and sifting out any impurities. Wheat flour provides a quick and sustained source of energy, making it an important part of a balanced diet.
According to the US Department of Agriculture in the 2021- 2022 marketing year, China consumed about 148.5 million metric tons of wheat whereas India consumed 104.2 million metric tons of wheat.
Market DynamicsDriverGrowing popularity of baked products
Baked goods encompass a wide range of products, from bread and pastries to cakes, cookies, and more. This diversity in product offerings drives the need for different types of wheat flours with varying protein content and milling specifications. Flour makers create specialized mixes or variations of flour to match the unique specifications of various sorts of baked products. The widespread consumption of baked products not only increases the demand for wheat flour but also promotes creativity, the agricultural economy, and wheat farming sustainability.
RestraintRising gluten-free products
The prevalence of gluten-free eating plans has raised knowledge and instruction regarding celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. Alternative flours including rice flour, almond flour, coconut flour, and other gluten-free choices are becoming increasingly popular as more customers look for gluten-free solutions. In many recipes, these substitutions can be used in place of wheat flour. The fragmentation of the flour market is a result of consumer demand for gluten-free goods. This change has an impact on consumer choices and consumption habits, which mitigates demand in the market.
OpportunityIncreasing demand for fiber-rich foods
Wheat flour is a versatile ingredient that can be used to create a wide range of fiber-rich foods when combined with whole wheat flour or other high-fiber ingredients. Since wheat flour contains both the bran and germ of the wheat kernel, it has a substantially greater fibre level. This adds more fibre and gives the food a nuttier flavour. Wheat flour enables modifications to baked items' texture and moisture content. The growing younger population with cravings for cookies, dumplings, pasta, pizza, tortillas, muffins, pancakes and waffles are accelerating the market growth.
ThreatFluctuations in wheat production
The erratic nature of the weather and the presence of crop diseases have a direct impact on the stability of the wheat flour market. Climate change, such as droughts, heavy rain, or unseasonal weather patterns, has a significant influence on the world's wheat output. Reduced harvests might thus affect the availability of wheat flour. Additionally, the disease-proneness of wheat harvests can cause severe losses in both quantity and quality. These production variations have an impact on market dynamics, which causes changes in supply and pricing.
Covid-19 ImpactCovid pandemic caused market uncertainty, with fluctuating demand patterns and disruptions in transportation and logistics. Restrictions on movement and trade disruptions affected the availability of inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and machinery, which are crucial for wheat production. Lockdowns had an impact on planting, harvesting, and other agricultural tasks, which have altered production. After the epidemic, it had an influence on supply capacity, and as a result, governments undertook a number of measures in reaction to it, including subsidies, stimulus packages, and adjustments to agricultural policies. These measures might have both favourable and unfavourable impacts on wheat output.
The all-purpose flour segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period
The all-purpose flour segment is estimated to have a lucrative growth. All-purpose flour, also known as plain flour, is a versatile type of flour that is commonly used in a wide range of recipes. It is made from a blend of hard and soft wheat varieties, which gives it moderate protein content, typically around 8-11%. This makes it suitable for a variety of baked goods. All-purpose flour is a key ingredient in many pie crust recipes. Its balanced nutritional profile, neutral flavor, long shelf life, versatility and affordability are boosting its demand.
The food use segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period
The food use segment is anticipated to witness the fastest CAGR growth during the forecast period. Wheat flour plays a crucial role in global food security, nutrition, cultural heritage, and economic sustainability. It remains a cornerstone of the food sector worldwide. Wheat and wheat-derived products are often used in food aid programs and emergency relief efforts due to their nutritional density, ease of storage, and widespread acceptance. Wheat flour serves as the foundation for a wide array of food products, from the simplest of bread to the most intricate pastries and cakes. The growing food industries are driving the wheat flour demand.
Region with largest shareAsia Pacific is projected to hold the largest market share during the forecast period owing to its increasing millennial population. China and India holds the largest market share for wheat flour. The wheat flour demand in the region has been boosted by an increasing number of eateries, cafes, and independent food service operators to cater to the rising food demand of the larger population across key countries such as India and China. Moreover, the increasing adoption of western foods such as pizza, burgers, and pasta among others is driving the high demand for wheat flour in the packaged food industry of this region.
Region with highest CAGREurope is projected to have the highest CAGR over the forecast period. The growing demand for bread and assorted bakery products among consumers in this region has augmented the production of wheat and wheat-based flour. Moreover, as whole flour food products grow more popular across the region, many manufacturers are focusing on developing whole flour-based products. The emerging trend of clean-label food products has increased the demand for organic wheat-based flour in the region. The increasing demand for innovative bread varieties is expected to drive regional growth in the coming years.
Key players in the marketSome of the key players profiled in the Wheat Flour Market include Acarsan Flour, Allied Pinnacle Pty Ltd, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Ardent Mills Corporate, Bob’s Rede Mill Natural Foods, Georgia Organics, Bunge Milling, Cargill Incorporated, Conagra Foods Inc., General Mills, George Weston Foods Ltd, GoodMills Innovations GmbH, Hodgson Mills, Inc., ITC Limited, J.M. Smucker Company, King Arthur Flour Company, Korfez Flour Mill, Manildra Milling Pvt Ltd, Heartland Mill Inc and Wudeli Flour Mill Group.
Key DevelopmentsIn June 2023, Ardent Mills, the premier flour-milling and Ingredient Company launched two new products, Ardent Mills Egg Replace™ and Ancient Grains Plus™ Baking Flour Blend. The company designed these innovative, cost-effective solutions to enable its customers to capitalize on new market growth, meet evolving consumer preferences for quality ingredients and great taste, and help alleviate supply chain challenges.
In April 2022, General Mills Foodservice introduces Gold Medal™ Remarkable™ Flour with Enzymes. The spring wheat, high-gluten flour is milled from a select blend of hard wheat and treated with Alpha Amylase Enzyme to assist with fermentation, making it ideal flour for a variety of ethnic breads and baked goods, pizza and bagel applications.
In April 2022, King Arthur announced its intention to commit to regenerative farming practices to produce 100% of its flour by 2030. All of the company’s white whole wheat flour is supplied by Farmer Direct, which sources wheat from farmers using regenerative practices.
Types Covered
• High Gluten Flour
• All-Purpose Flour
• Whole Wheat Flour
• Semolina Flour
• Bread Flour
• Fine Wheat Flour
• Other Types
Wheat Types Covered
• Soft
• Hard
• Semi-hard
Categories Covered
• Organic Wheat Flour
• Conventional Wheat Flour
Distribution Channels Covered
• Retail Stores
• Online Stores
• Hypermarkets & Supermarkets
Applications Covered
• Bio-Fuel
• Feed Use
• Food Use
• Other Applications
End Users Covered
• Commercial
• Household
• Food Service
• Institutional
• Food Manufacturers
Regions Covered
• North America
US
Canada
Mexico
• Europe
Germany
UK
Italy
France
Spain
Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
Japan
China
India
Australia
New Zealand
South Korea
Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Qatar
South Africa
Rest of Middle East & Africa
What our report offers- Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
- Covers Market data for the years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2026, and 2030
- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements