Konjac Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Product Type (Gum, Flour, Dietary Fiber, Sponge), By End-Use (Food & Beverages, Pharmaceutical, Cosmetics), By Distribution Channel (Supermarkets/hypermarkets, Specialty stores, Online, Others), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 1.38 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	6.91%
Fastest Growing Segment	Online
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 2.06 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Konjac Market will grow from USD 1.38 Billion in 2025 to USD 2.06 Billion by 2031 at a 6.91% CAGR. The Global Konjac Market centers on the industrial and culinary application of Amorphophallus konjac, a perennial plant primarily valued for its corm, which is processed into flour and jelly rich in glucomannan. This water-soluble dietary fiber is the market's primary functional component, extensively utilized as a thickening agent, stabilizer, and gelling agent in the food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. The market's expansion is fundamentally driven by the rising global demand for plant-based and functional food ingredients, particularly as consumers seek clean-label alternatives to synthetic additives and animal-based gelatin. Furthermore, the product’s low-caloric profile and high fiber content position it favorably within the weight management and prebiotic nutrition sectors, supporting its adoption in dietary supplements and health-focused beverages.

Despite this robust growth trajectory, the market faces a significant challenge regarding the stability of raw material supply due to the crop's sensitivity to climatic conditions and disease. Konjac cultivation requires specific environmental parameters, making the supply chain vulnerable to weather disruptions which can lead to price volatility and procurement difficulties for downstream manufacturers. According to the Konjac Association of Chinese Society for Horticultural Science, in 2023, the total cultivation area of Konjac in China, the world's largest producer, exceeded 1.5 million mu (approximately 100,000 hectares), underscoring the scale of production required to meet the surging industrial demand. This concentration of production in specific geographic regions intensifies the risk of supply shortages should localized agricultural setbacks occur.

Key Market Drivers

The rapid innovation in functional food alternatives like Shirataki noodles and rice is reshaping the industry by transitioning konjac from a raw commodity into a high-value consumer product. Manufacturers are increasingly leveraging hydrocolloid technology to create convenient, ready-to-eat snacks and noodle substitutes that appeal to modern dietary preferences. This strategic shift toward value-added processing is generating substantial financial returns for leading market players who have successfully commercialized these formats. According to Weilong Delicious Global Holdings Ltd, March 2025, in the '2024 Annual Results Announcement', revenue from its vegetable products segment, which is dominated by konjac-based snacks, rose by 59.1% year-over-year to RMB 3.37 billion. Such figures confirm that product diversification and the creation of novel edible formats are primary engines for current market expansion.

Concurrent with product innovation, the surging consumer demand for low-calorie and satiety-inducing foods is driving global adoption, particularly within the weight management sector. The unique water-absorbing properties of glucomannan make it an essential ingredient for health-conscious consumers seeking natural appetite suppressants, thereby fueling international trade. According to The Japan Konjac Association, December 2024, in an industry update, the export value of Japanese konjac products expanded 2.5 times compared to the 2019 fiscal year, illustrating the robust international appetite for these functional foods. This upward trend is further evidenced by broader sectoral growth; according to Yanjin Shop Food Co., Ltd., August 2025, in the '2025 Semi-Annual Report', revenue from leisure konjac products surged by 155.1% year-over-year in the first half of 2025, signaling sustained industrial momentum driven by health-related consumption.

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Key Market Challenges

The primary impediment to the Global Konjac Market's sustained expansion is the inherent instability of the raw material supply chain, which is heavily susceptible to climatic fluctuations and agricultural risks. Because Amorphophallus konjac requires precise environmental conditions, the concentration of cultivation in limited geographic regions exposes the industry to severe bottlenecks when weather patterns disrupt harvests. This vulnerability manifests as erratic availability and significant price volatility, complicating procurement strategies for downstream manufacturers. When adverse weather impacts crop yields, the immediate contraction in supply forces raw material costs upward, squeezing profit margins for producers of food additives and supplements. Such financial unpredictability discourages long-term investment in product lines and may compel manufacturers to seek more stable synthetic alternatives, thereby stifling organic growth.

This volatility is evidenced by recent trade data reflecting the intensifying cost pressures within the sector. According to the Japan Konjac Association, in December 2024, the export value of konjac products increased 2.5 times compared to the 2019 fiscal year. This dramatic escalation in value, driven by constrained supplies struggling to meet industrial requirements, underscores the severe inflationary challenges facing importers and processors. Consequently, these elevated input costs hamper the ability of companies to maintain competitive pricing for end-consumers, effectively slowing the mass-market adoption of konjac as a mainstream functional ingredient.

Key Market Trends

The diversification into plant-based meat and seafood analogs is fundamentally altering the market landscape as manufacturers increasingly utilize konjac’s unique hydrocolloid properties to replicate the texture of aquatic proteins. Unlike traditional starch-based binders, konjac glucomannan offers the requisite elasticity and chewiness to mimic premium seafood products such as calamari and shrimp, enabling brands to cater to the growing flexitarian demographic without compromising on mouthfeel. This innovation is significantly contributing to the financial performance of major food processors who are integrating these high-margin, plant-based options into their portfolios. According to Thai Union Group Public Company Limited, March 2025, in the '2024 Annual Review', the company achieved a record gross profit margin of 18.5%, a milestone explicitly attributed to the strategic expansion and robust demand within its value-added category, which includes its plant-based seafood innovations.

Simultaneously, the development of konjac-infused functional beverages is expanding the ingredient's application beyond solid foods into the drinkable wellness sector. Companies are aggressively formulating squeezable konjac jelly pouches and vitamin-enriched drinks that offer satiety benefits and digestive support, effectively positioning them as convenient, low-calorie meal replacements for health-conscious urban consumers. This product evolution allows beverage manufacturers to capitalize on the rising demand for functional snacks that fit into busy lifestyles while offering clean-label dietary fiber. According to Sappe Public Company Limited, February 2025, in the '2024 Annual Results Announcement', the company reported total sales revenue of THB 6.78 billion, an 11.9% increase from the previous year, driven largely by the sustained international growth of its functional product lines, including its konjac-based jelly drinks.

Segmental Insights

The online segment is currently established as the fastest growing distribution channel in the global konjac market. This expansion is primarily driven by the extensive availability of specialized konjac products on e-commerce platforms, which often surpass the limited inventory found in physical retail stores. Consumers increasingly utilize digital channels to access a diverse range of dietary options, such as low-calorie noodles and gluten-free flour, that cater to specific health requirements. Furthermore, the convenience of home delivery combined with the ability to easily compare nutritional labels and prices continues to shift consumer purchasing behaviors toward online marketplaces.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific holds the leading position in the Global Konjac Market primarily due to its status as the largest producer and consumer of konjac products. Countries such as China and Japan possess the specific climatic conditions necessary for large-scale cultivation, allowing them to control the global supply of raw materials. The regional market benefits from a long history of dietary usage and established manufacturing infrastructure for processing konjac flour and glucomannan. This integration of high production volume and strong local demand cements Asia Pacific as the central hub for the industry.

Recent Developments

• In December 2024, Everyday Korea announced a major retail expansion, revealing that its "Essential C's" collagen konjac jelly products would be sold in GS25 convenience stores nationwide. This distribution agreement marked a significant shift from primarily online sales channels to widespread physical retail availability for the brand. The company noted that its konjac jelly line had already achieved substantial cumulative sales in global markets, particularly in the United States, where it ranked highly in its category. This expansion aimed to increase accessibility for consumers seeking low-calorie, sugar-free snacks with added functional benefits like collagen and vitamin C.
• In September 2024, a new snacking brand named Dally officially launched its line of konjac jelly pouches in the United States market. The company introduced three fruit flavors—Mango, Peach, and Apple—which were marketed as a low-calorie, zero-sugar, and keto-friendly alternative to traditional sugary snacks. The brand positioned the product to capitalize on the growing popularity of functional, gelatinous snacks that are already common in Asia. The launch emphasized the high fiber content of the konjac root ingredient and included added functional nutrients such as vitamin C, prebiotics, and probiotics to appeal to health-conscious consumers.
• In August 2024, Weilong Delicious Global Holdings Ltd. reported its interim financial results for the first half of the year, revealing a significant surge in revenue from its vegetable products segment. The company stated that sales of these products, which primarily consist of konjac-based snacks like Konjac Shuang, increased by approximately 57% compared to the previous year. This substantial growth allowed the vegetable products category to surpass seasoned flour products as the company's largest revenue contributor for the period. The report attributed this strong performance to the successful introduction of new products and the expansion of sales channels.
• In February 2024, Konscious Foods announced the launch of three new plant-based products at the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim. The new lineup featured a plant-based Smoked Salmon, which utilizes konjac root, carrots, and pea hull fiber to replicate the smooth texture and smoky flavor of traditional cold-smoked salmon. This innovative product was introduced alongside a Kimbap Korean Veggie Rice Roll and a Salmon Avocado Roll. The company highlighted that the smoked salmon was the first non-GMO verified cold-smoked salmon alternative made entirely from plants, aiming to provide a convenient, frozen-to-fresh option for the retail and foodservice sectors.

Key Market Players

• Hubei Yizhi Konjac Biotechnology Co. Ltd
• Zhejiang Shangfang Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
• Ishibashi-ya Co. Ltd
• Baoji Konjac Chemical Co., Ltd
• NOW Health Group, Inc.
• Slendier
• Andi-Johnson Group
• The Konjac Sponge Company Ltd
• NAH Foods Ltd
• Low Carb Canada Corp.

By Product Type	By End-Use	By Distribution Channel	By Region
Gum Flour Dietary Fiber Sponge	Food & Beverages Pharmaceutical Cosmetics	Supermarkets/hypermarkets Specialty stores Online Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Konjac Market, By Product Type:

• Gum
• Flour
• Dietary Fiber
• Sponge

• Konjac Market, By End-Use:

• Food & Beverages
• Pharmaceutical
• Cosmetics

• Konjac Market, By Distribution Channel:

• Supermarkets/hypermarkets
• Specialty stores
• Online
• Others

• Konjac 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