Beta Glucan Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity and Forecast, By Category (Soluble, Insoluble), By Source (Cereal & Grains, Mushroom, Yeast, Seaweed), By Application (Food & Beverage, Personal Care, Cosmetics, Others), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 555.34 Million
CAGR (2026-2031)	7.02%
Fastest Growing Segment	Cosmetics
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 834.35 Million

Market Overview

The Global Beta Glucan Market will grow from USD 555.34 Million in 2025 to USD 834.35 Million by 2031 at a 7.02% CAGR. Beta glucans are biologically active polysaccharides composed of glucose monomers derived from the cell walls of cereals such as oats and barley, as well as from yeast, mushrooms, and bacteria. The global market is fundamentally driven by the rising prevalence of chronic lifestyle conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes, which has accelerated consumer demand for functional foods and preventive health solutions. This structural shift toward wellness is substantiated by data regarding immune support, a key application for yeast and fungal strains. According to the Council for Responsible Nutrition, in 2024, 30% of dietary supplement users cited immune health as a primary motivation for usage, directly reinforcing the commercial necessity for immunomodulating ingredients.

Despite this robust demand, the market encounters a significant impediment regarding the complex extraction and purification processes required to yield high-quality isolates. These technical difficulties result in elevated production costs that can deter mass adoption, particularly in price-sensitive developing regions where manufacturers struggle to balance affordability with the stringent purity standards mandated for pharmaceutical and premium nutraceutical applications.

Key Market Drivers

The surging demand for functional foods and fortified beverages acts as a primary catalyst for market growth, particularly as consumers increasingly prioritize preventive nutrition over reactive medical treatments. Manufacturers are rapidly incorporating beta glucans into diverse formats, ranging from clear functional waters to fortified snack bars, to cater to this wellness-driven shift. This structural expansion is quantified by recent industrial projections; according to Glanbia Nutritionals, February 2025, in the 'US Functional Beverage Market Insights 2025', the US functional beverage market alone is forecast to reach $62 billion in 2027, growing at a compound annual rate of 4.5%. Such robust category growth directly incentivizes ingredient suppliers to innovate high-purity, water-soluble beta glucan isolates that maintain immunomodulatory efficacy without compromising the sensory profile of premium consumer products.

Simultaneously, the rising adoption of beta glucans as antibiotic alternatives in animal feed is fundamentally reshaping the industrial landscape. As regulatory frameworks increasingly restrict prophylactic antibiotic usage in livestock, producers are scaling the use of yeast cell wall derivatives to enhance gut health and immunity in poultry and swine. This transition is evident in the financial performance of key sector players; according to Novonesis, August 2025, in the 'Interim Report for the First Half of 2025', the company reported a 9% organic sales growth in its biosolutions division, underscoring the critical uptake of enzymatic and microbial feed technologies. This industrial momentum is further validated by shifting end-user preferences, as according to Beneo, May 2025, in the 'Global Food & Drink Trends for 2025' report, 55% of global consumers are actively seeking products that support gut wellness, creating a powerful downstream pull for healthier, antibiotic-free animal protein sources.

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Key Market Challenges

The intricate extraction and purification processes required to produce high-quality isolates stand as a significant impediment to the expansion of the Global Beta Glucan Market. Achieving the purity levels necessary for pharmaceutical and premium nutraceutical applications demands capital-intensive technologies and rigorous quality control measures, which inherently drive up operational expenditures. These elevated production costs force manufacturers to maintain high price points for their ingredients, thereby restricting mass market adoption. Consequently, food and beverage manufacturers in price-sensitive regions often hesitate to reformulate products with beta glucans, as the resulting increase in final retail prices can alienate cost-conscious consumers.

This economic friction is further exacerbated by volatility in the supply chain for essential raw materials, specifically cereal grains used as primary substrates. According to the International Grains Council, in 2024, global barley production was projected to decline to 145.7 million tons, representing a significant contraction from the prior season's output. Such tightening in the availability of key feedstocks places additional upward pressure on input costs, compounding the financial challenges already posed by the complex purification workflow and directly hindering the market's ability to scale in developing economies.

Key Market Trends

The valorization of spent brewer’s yeast is emerging as a critical trend for sustainable circular economy sourcing, fundamentally altering the raw material landscape for beta glucan production. Manufacturers are increasingly upcycling this nutrient-rich byproduct of the brewing industry to bypass the volatility and costs associated with primary cereal crops like oats and barley. This shift not only addresses waste reduction mandates but also provides a consistent, high-volume substrate for extracting yeast-derived beta glucans, which are highly valued for their immune-modulating properties. The industrial commitment to refining these upcycling processes is evidenced by intense intellectual property activity; according to Angel Yeast, May 2025, in the '2024 Sustainability Report', the company applied for 195 patents in 2024 alone, signaling a massive strategic push toward optimizing yeast biotechnology and extraction efficiencies to support this sustainable sourcing model.

Simultaneously, the market is witnessing a rapid proliferation of microbiome-friendly and anti-pollution cosmeceutical formulations, expanding the scope of beta glucan application beyond dietary ingestion to topical skin health. Cosmetic brands are actively incorporating beta glucan isolates into premium skincare lines, leveraging the ingredient's ability to reinforce the stratum corneum, soothe irritation, and modulate the skin's commensal bacteria against environmental stressors. This trend is driving significant revenue expansion for suppliers of science-backed personal care ingredients who can validate these dermatological benefits. This sector-wide momentum is reflected in the financial performance of key market players; according to DSM-Firmenich, August 2025, in the 'Half Year Results 2025', the Health, Nutrition & Care business unit delivered a 6% organic sales growth, underscored by robust demand for its specialized portfolio of dietary and personal care solutions.

Segmental Insights

The Cosmetics segment is recognized as the fastest-growing vertical within the Global Beta Glucan Market, primarily driven by the accelerating consumer shift toward natural and sustainable personal care ingredients. Manufacturers are rapidly incorporating beta glucan into premium skincare formulations due to its superior moisture-retention capabilities and ability to strengthen the skin barrier, often outperforming traditional synthetic agents. This growth is further sustained by the rising demand for clean-label products where beta glucan, derived from sources like oats and mushrooms, addresses specific concerns such as sensitivity and anti-aging. Consequently, the segment is expanding significantly as brands prioritize clinically backed, plant-based solutions.

Regional Insights

North America holds the leading position in the Global Beta Glucan Market, driven by high consumer adoption of functional foods and a strong focus on preventative healthcare. This dominance is significantly reinforced by favorable regulatory frameworks, particularly the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which authorizes health claims associating soluble fiber from oats and barley with a reduced risk of heart disease. This official validation validates product efficacy and encourages manufacturers to incorporate beta glucan into dietary supplements and beverages. Consequently, the region benefits from established commercial application and consistent industry investment in heart-health products.

Recent Developments

• In August 2025, Cosciens Biopharma reported in its second-quarter financial results that it had successfully developed new beta glucan-based functional foods, including bars and immune-boosting yeast beta glucan capsules. Utilizing its proprietary Pressurized Gas eXpanded (PGX) technology, the company created these advanced formulations to leverage the bioactive properties of its active ingredients. The company disclosed that it was actively exploring commercialization strategies for these newly developed products, which were designed to target the health and wellness sectors. This development marked a significant step in the company's strategy to expand its portfolio of high-value natural ingredients and finished products.
• In July 2024, Kemin Industries announced that it had received Novel Food authorization from the European Commission for its algae-based beta-glucan ingredient, BetaVia Pure. This regulatory approval, which followed a rigorous safety assessment by the European Food Safety Authority, granted the company a five-year exclusivity period in the European Union market. The authorization permitted the use of the immune-support ingredient in various food categories, including dietary supplements and functional foods, for the general population. This milestone expanded the global reach of the company's proprietary Euglena gracilis algae beta 1,3 glucan, allowing it to meet growing consumer demand for science-backed immune health solutions in Europe.
• In April 2024, Kerry Group released findings from a new clinical study published in iScience which confirmed that its proprietary baker’s yeast beta 1,3/1,6 glucan postbiotic, Wellmune, acts as a trainer of the innate immune system. The research demonstrated that the ingredient influenced the inflammatory and antimicrobial behavior of monocytes and macrophages, training these cells to store energy more efficiently and respond more effectively to potential threats. This breakthrough research highlighted a novel mechanism of action for the ingredient, supporting its application in functional foods, beverages, and supplements designed to offer validated immune health benefits to consumers.
• In January 2024, Beneo announced that its wholegrain barley flour, Orafti β-Fit, had received certification from the American Heart Association's Heart-Check Food Certification Program. This verification confirmed that the ingredient met strict nutritional requirements regarding healthy dietary recommendations, specific product ingredients, and nutrient values. The functional ingredient, which offers 20% beta-glucans, was recognized for its ability to support heart health by lowering cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. This certification allowed food manufacturers to use the trusted Heart-Check mark on products containing this barley beta-glucan, promoting consumer confidence in heart-healthy food choices.

Key Market Players

• Tate & Lyle plc
• Kerry Group plc
• DSM-Firmenich AG
• Kemin Industries, Inc.
• AngelYeast Co., Ltd.
• Lallemand Inc.
• Leiber GmbH
• Associated British Foods plc
• Biorigin
• Kirkman Group

By Category	By Source	By Application	By Region
Soluble Insoluble	Cereal & Grains Mushroom Yeast Seaweed	Food & Beverage Personal Care Cosmetics Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Beta Glucan Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Beta Glucan Market, By Category:

• Soluble
• Insoluble

• Beta Glucan Market, By Source:

• Cereal & Grains
• Mushroom
• Yeast
• Seaweed

• Beta Glucan Market, By Application:

• Food & Beverage
• Personal Care
• Cosmetics
• Others

• Beta Glucan Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE