Flour Market By Type (Wheat, Rice, Maize & Others), By Sales Channel (Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Departmental Stores, Convenience Stores, Online, and Others (Direct Sales, etc.)), By Application (Bread & Bakery Products, Noodles & Pasta, and Others), By Region, By Competition Forecast & Opportunities 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 188.88 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.07%
Fastest Growing Segment	Wheat
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 254.13 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Flour Market will grow from USD 188.88 Billion in 2025 to USD 254.13 Billion by 2031 at a 5.07% CAGR. Flour is defined as a finely ground powder prepared by milling cereal grains, roots, beans, or seeds, serving as the foundational ingredient for breads, pastries, pasta, and other staple foods. The expansion of this market is fundamentally supported by rapid global population growth and the resulting escalation in demand for commercially baked goods and convenient food solutions in urbanizing economies. These core economic drivers ensure a consistent baseline of consumption for milled products, independent of shifting consumer health fads or dietary preferences.

However, the industry faces a significant challenge regarding the volatility of raw material costs, often exacerbated by geopolitical tensions and adverse weather events that disrupt agricultural yields. This instability creates unpredictable supply chains and squeezes margins for processors. Illustrating these trade pressures, according to the International Grains Council, in the 2024-25 marketing year, global wheat flour trade was projected to contract to 15.5 million tonnes due to reduced import requirements in major markets.

Key Market Drivers

The rising consumption of bakery and confectionery products serves as a primary commercial engine for the flour industry, particularly as urbanization concentrates demand for industrially produced breads, pastries, and biscuits. This sector requires a consistent supply of specialized wheat flours, driving millers to innovate with high-protein and enzyme-enriched variants that meet strict requirements for texture and shelf-life. Validating the resilience of this demand segment, according to Associated British Foods, November 2024, in the 'Annual Results Announcement', their Ingredients division sales grew by 2% driven by a strong performance in their yeast and bakery ingredients business. This growth underscores how value-added bakery components continue to expand revenue streams for processors even amidst broader economic fluctuations.

Simultaneously, the market is bolstered by the growth of the noodle and pasta processing sectors, which utilize durum semolina and hard wheat flours to create shelf-stable staples essential for global food security. This segment benefits significantly from the long preservation capabilities of dried flour products, making them attractive in both developing logistics networks and modern convenience-focused retail. Illustrating the magnitude of this processing activity, according to the International Pasta Organisation, October 2024, in the 'World Pasta Day 2024' press release, global pasta production reached nearly 17 million tonnes in 2023. Underpinning these specific sectoral demands is the massive global requirement for grain processing; according to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, May 2024, global wheat consumption was projected to reach 802.4 million tons, highlighting the immense foundational scale of the market.

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Key Market Challenges

The volatility of raw material costs represents a substantial impediment to the consistent expansion of the global flour industry. Since flour milling relies heavily on the availability of specific wheat classes, any disruption in the agricultural supply chain creates immediate financial pressure. Unpredictable price swings, driven by adverse weather patterns or geopolitical instability, make it difficult for millers to manage procurement strategies effectively. This uncertainty often compresses operating margins, as processors cannot always pass the full burden of rising grain costs to consumers without risking a decline in sales volume.

This direct correlation between diminished agricultural output and market constraint is highlighted by recent industry data. According to Coceral, in 2024, the soft wheat production forecast for the EU-27 and UK was revised down to 126 million tonnes due to the impact of excessive rainfall and poor growing conditions. Such declines in regional feedstock availability force manufacturers to seek alternative, often more expensive, supply sources. Consequently, these elevated input costs hinder the overall profitability of the sector and restrict capital investment in market development.

Key Market Trends

The Expansion of High-Protein Pulse and Legume Flours is reshaping the market as processors respond to the accelerating plant-based nutrition movement. Manufacturers are increasingly substituting traditional wheat bases with nutrient-dense alternatives derived from chickpeas, lentils, and peas to cater to consumer demands for gluten-free and fiber-rich formulations. This shift is particularly evident in the savory and packaged meal sectors, where functional flour blends provide necessary texture and nutritional fortification without compromising taste. Highlighting the commercial viability of this segment, according to Ingredion Incorporated, November 2024, in the 'Third Quarter 2024 Earnings Release', the company reported a 29% increase in adjusted operating income, significantly supported by strong sales volume growth in savory and packaged meal categories that utilize these specialized pulse ingredients.

Concurrently, the Shift Toward Regenerative Agriculture and Sustainable Sourcing has become a critical operational priority for leading millers aiming to decarbonize their supply chains. Industrial flour producers are actively partnering with growers to implement soil-health-focused practices, such as cover cropping and reduced tillage, to secure resilient grain supplies and meet the scope 3 emission reduction targets of downstream food brands. This strategic pivot moves beyond simple procurement to deep agronomic engagement. Illustrating the scale of this adoption, according to Ardent Mills, November 2024, in the 'Fiscal Year 2024 ESG Report', the company successfully enrolled more than 598,000 acres across 12 supply shed regions into its regenerative agriculture program to promote sustainable farming practices.

Segmental Insights

The Wheat segment represents the fastest-growing category in the Global Flour Market, driven by rapid urbanization and shifting dietary preferences. This expansion is primarily fueled by the burgeoning bakery and confectionery industries, which rely on wheat for its essential structural properties. Additionally, the rising global consumption of convenient, ready-to-eat foods such as noodles and pasta supports this upward trend. As consumers in developing economies increasingly adopt westernized diets, the demand for wheat-based staples continues to accelerate, cementing the segment's rapid growth and vital role in the wider food processing sector.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific maintains a dominant position in the global flour market, driven primarily by the extensive consumption of wheat-based staple foods in densely populated nations like China and India. The region benefits from high domestic wheat production combined with rising demand for bakery products, noodles, and convenience foods due to rapid urbanization. Additionally, supportive regulatory frameworks from institutions such as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India help standardize quality and fortification, further strengthening the supply chain. This consistent dietary reliance and expanding food processing sector secure the region's leading status.

Recent Developments

• In October 2025, Greenfield Milling solidified its position in the commercial flour milling sector by opening a new state-of-the-art facility in Richmond, Utah, and securing a major collaboration with Campbell's Pepperidge Farm. The company established a multi-year production agreement to supply flour directly to the partner's adjacent plant via a pneumatic transfer system. This strategic alliance was designed to enhance operational efficiency and ensure a reliable supply chain for the production of popular snack foods. A co-founder of Greenfield Milling noted that the facility's launch and the supply partnership reflected a vision to modernize flour production while meeting evolving industry demands.
• In July 2025, Oman Flour Mills Company introduced a breakthrough product dubbed "Flour 1," which was manufactured entirely from locally grown wheat. This launch marked a significant milestone in the company's efforts to enhance national food security and support domestic agriculture through cooperation with local farmers. The new flour was the result of extensive research and investment in local crop production, aligning with broader national strategies to build resilient food supply chains. The CEO of the company emphasized that the product reflected a commitment to sustainability and increasing the market presence of high-quality, locally sourced food items.
• In March 2025, Eurostar Commodities announced a strategic collaboration with the Green Farm Collective to launch a new range of environmentally conscious products known as RISE RE:GEN flour. This partnership focused on bringing regeneratively farmed flour to the market, underpinning a shared commitment to sustainable agriculture and soil health. The new flour line was made available in strong and all-purpose variants, packaged in recyclable materials to appeal to eco-minded manufacturers and consumers. A Sales Manager at Eurostar Commodities highlighted that this initiative was developed to meet the growing demand for ethically produced ingredients without compromising on quality or performance.
• In March 2024, the King Arthur Baking Company expanded its portfolio in the flour and baking market with the launch of a new line of Savory Bread Mix Kits. This product introduction was designed to cater to consumers seeking convenient, high-quality baking solutions beyond traditional sweet treats. The new collection featured four distinct varieties, including kits for garlic bread, pretzels, focaccia, and flatbread, each containing all necessary dry ingredients such as yeast and toppings. The Vice President of Innovation at the company stated that the launch aimed to inspire culinary creativity and provide accessible options for bakers of all skill levels.

Key Market Players

• Wudeli Flour Mill Group
• Ardent Mills LLC
• Archer Daniels Midland Company
• General Mills
• Allied Pinnacle Pty Limited
• Manildra Milling Pvt Ltd
• Acarsan Flour
• Korfez Flour Mills
• George Weston Foods Limited
• Hodgson Mill, Inc.

By Type	By Sales Channel	By Application	By Region
Wheat Rice Maize & Others	Supermarkets/Hypermarkets Departmental Stores Convenience Stores Online Others (Direct Sales, etc.)	Bread & Bakery Products Noodles & Pasta Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Flour Market, By Type:

• Wheat
• Rice
• Maize & Others

• Flour Market, By Sales Channel:

• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
• Departmental Stores
• Convenience Stores
• Online
• Others (Direct Sales, etc.)

• Flour Market, By Application:

• Bread & Bakery Products
• Noodles & Pasta
• Others

• Flour 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