Rice Syrup Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Product Type (Organic, Conventional), By Form (Liquid, Powder), By Application (Food & Beverage, Infant Formula, Nutritional Supplements, Others), By Sales Channel (Supermarket/Hypermarket, Online, Convenience Stores, Others), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 2.49 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	6.97%
Fastest Growing Segment	Organic
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 3.73 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Rice Syrup Market will grow from USD 2.49 Billion in 2025 to USD 3.73 Billion by 2031 at a 6.97% CAGR. Rice syrup is a liquid sweetener derived from the enzymatic fermentation of rice starch, serving as a functional alternative to refined sugar and corn syrup in food manufacturing. The market's expansion is primarily underpinned by the growing consumer preference for plant-based, gluten-free ingredients and the industrial need for versatile binding agents in confectionery and beverage production. Furthermore, the consistent availability of raw materials fortifies this growth trajectory; according to the Food and Agriculture Organization, in 2025, global rice production is forecast to hit a record high of 543 million tonnes, ensuring a stable supply chain for processing derivatives.

Despite these favorable conditions, the market faces a significant impediment regarding the price volatility of agricultural inputs. Fluctuations in global rice prices, driven by climatic variations and logistical constraints, directly impact the production costs of rice syrup, often making it less price-competitive compared to conventional sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup. Consequently, manufacturers may struggle to maintain profit margins during periods of raw material scarcity, potentially stalling wider adoption in cost-sensitive mass-market applications.

Key Market Drivers

Escalating health concerns regarding refined sugar and artificial sweeteners are fundamentally reshaping the Global Rice Syrup Market. As health-conscious consumers increasingly reject high-fructose corn syrup in favor of alternatives perceived as natural, manufacturers are reformulating products to secure clean-label certifications. Rice syrup, characterized by its mild sweetness and hypoallergenic profile, has emerged as a preferred substitute in this shift toward transparent ingredient lists. This trend is quantified by consumer behavior; according to the International Food Information Council, June 2024, in the '2024 Food & Health Survey', 66% of Americans reported actively trying to limit or avoid sugar consumption, a sentiment that directly fuels the industrial demand for less-processed sweetening agents like rice syrup.

Simultaneously, the rising global adoption of plant-based and vegan diets is expanding the sweetener’s application scope. Rice syrup functions as an essential vegan binding agent and texturizer in granola bars, cereals, and non-dairy beverages, effectively replacing animal-derived ingredients such as honey. This sector's substantial scale provides a steady revenue stream for ingredient suppliers. According to the Plant Based Foods Association, May 2024, in the '2023 Plant-Based Foods State of the Marketplace Report', U.S. retail sales of plant-based foods reached $8.1 billion in 2023, underscoring the massive addressable market for plant-derived ingredients. This consistent demand is translating into tangible growth for major producers; according to Business Recorder, October 2024, Matco Foods Limited, a leading exporter of rice glucose, reported a net sales surge of 38.58% for the fiscal year 2024, highlighting the market's resilience.

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Key Market Challenges

The primary impediment facing the Global Rice Syrup Market is the significant price volatility associated with agricultural raw materials. Rice syrup production is intrinsically linked to the stability of the global rice trade. However, fluctuations driven by logistical disruptions and regional supply constraints frequently destabilize production costs. Unlike sweeteners that benefit from established, low-cost supply chains, rice syrup manufacturers must navigate unpredictable input expenses. This volatility compromises the ability of suppliers to secure long-term contracts with food and beverage companies who prioritize price certainty over functional benefits.

These cost pressures are exacerbated during periods of market tightness for specific processing grades. When the price of industrial rice varieties spikes, manufacturers face immediate margin compression that cannot be easily passed onto clients. According to the International Grains Council, in November 2025, export offers for California medium-grain rice reached a 15-month peak of $869 per tonne. Such acute price elevations illustrate the ongoing struggle for price competitiveness. When raw material costs surge, the economic viability of rice syrup as a mass-market substitute diminishes, effectively stalling its broader adoption in mainstream confectionery and beverage sectors.

Key Market Trends

A major trend reshaping the industry is the strategic shift towards organic brown rice syrup varieties, driven by manufacturer efforts to capture premium market segments requiring strict traceability and pesticide-free certifications. Unlike general clean-label demands, this trend necessitates significant capital investment in vertically integrated supply chains to ensure compliance with international organic standards, moving production away from conventional commodity processing. This focus on certified, high-quality output is translating into substantial financial scale for capable producers. According to Matco Foods Limited, April 2024, in the '3rd Quarterly Financial Statements 2024', the company recorded net sales of Rs. 21.23 billion for the nine months ended March 31, 2024, a performance supported by its specialized organic rice syrup manufacturing facility designed to cater to these evolving global requirements.

Simultaneously, the market is expanding through emerging applications in pharmaceutical and cosmetic coatings, where rice syrup is valued for its functional properties rather than just sweetness. In these sectors, the ingredient acts as a hypoallergenic binder and excipient, offering a safe, plant-derived alternative for tablet coatings and medicinal syrups that must meet rigorous safety protocols. This diversification allows ingredient suppliers to mitigate the risks associated with the volatile food sweetener market by securing contracts in these high-value industrial sectors. According to Habib Rice Products Ltd, September 2024, in the 'Annual Report 2024', the company’s export sales increased to Rs. 689 million for the fiscal year 2024, a growth trajectory driven by its continued dedication to supplying specialized starch sugars to the pharmaceutical and confectionery industries.

Segmental Insights

The organic segment is currently positioned as the fastest-growing category within the global rice syrup market, driven by a significant consumer shift toward clean-label and plant-based sweeteners. This rapid expansion is primarily fueled by the increasing demand for natural alternatives to high-fructose corn syrup and refined sugars in processed foods. Manufacturers are prioritizing organic rice syrup to align with rigorous certification standards set by regulatory authorities such as the USDA and the European Commission. Consequently, the rising preference for chemical-free and non-GMO ingredients in bakery and beverage applications continues to accelerate this segmental growth.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the Global Rice Syrup Market, driven by widespread consumer demand for clean-label and natural sweeteners. Manufacturers across the region are actively reformulating products to replace High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) with rice syrup, aligning with health-conscious trends and preferences for organic ingredients. This market dominance is supported by the strong influence of USDA Organic certification and FDA regulations promoting ingredient transparency, which compel brands to adopt recognizable alternatives. Furthermore, the robust growth of the plant-based and gluten-free food sectors continues to fuel the adoption of rice syrup in bakery and confectionery applications.

Recent Developments

• In September 2024, Habib Rice Products Ltd announced the establishment of a wholly-owned subsidiary in the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF-Zone), United Arab Emirates. The new entity, named Habib Rice Products (FZE), was incorporated to strengthen the company’s international trade capabilities and support the expansion of its export business. This strategic move was designed to enhance the distribution of its rice-based starch sugars and proteins, including rice syrups, to global markets. The company formally communicated this development to its stakeholders in compliance with regulatory requirements, signaling a commitment to growing its footprint in the region.
• In July 2024, Cargill Incorporated launched SimPure 92260, a new soluble rice flour designed to serve as a clean-label alternative to maltodextrin and other bulking agents. This innovative ingredient exhibits similar taste, texture, and functionality to traditional syrup solids, making it suitable for a wide range of applications such as reduced-sugar bakery products, beverages, and convenience foods. The launch addressed growing consumer demand for recognizable, simple ingredients while offering manufacturers a solution that improves mouthfeel and creaminess in formulations. This development expanded the company's portfolio of rice-based sweeteners and texturizers.
• In March 2024, Lundberg Family Farms announced that it had become the leading Regenerative Organic Certified food brand in the United States, offering a portfolio that includes rice syrups and packaged rice products. The company introduced over 70 products bearing this certification, which verifies that the rice ingredients are grown using agricultural practices that prioritize soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness. This milestone highlighted the company's significant investment in sustainable supply chains and its commitment to providing premium, eco-conscious sweetener and grain options to the natural food market.
• In February 2024, Matco Foods Limited participated in Gulfood 2024 in Dubai, one of the world's largest food and beverage exhibitions, where it showcased its extensive range of ingredients. During the event, the company highlighted its capabilities in producing and exporting high-quality rice syrups and other rice-based derivatives to international buyers. The exhibition provided a platform for the company to connect with industry leaders and explore new market trends, reinforcing its position as a key supplier in the global rice ingredients sector. This engagement was part of the company's broader strategy to expand its export network and promote its diverse product lines.

Key Market Players

• Axiom Foods Inc.
• Archer Daniels Midland Company
• Cargill, Incorporated
• Wuhu Deli Foods Co., Ltd.
• Habib Rice Products Limited
• ABF Ingredients Limited
• Nature Bio Foods Ltd.
• Wai Lana Productions, LLC
• Gehl Foods, LLC
• California Naturals, Inc.

By Product Type	By Form	By Application	By Sales Channel	By Region
Organic Conventional	Liquid Powder	Food & Beverage Infant Formula Nutritional Supplements Others	Supermarket/Hypermarket Online Convenience Stores Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Rice Syrup Market, By Product Type:

• Organic
• Conventional

• Rice Syrup Market, By Form:

• Liquid
• Powder

• Rice Syrup Market, By Application:

• Food & Beverage
• Infant Formula
• Nutritional Supplements
• Others

• Rice Syrup Market, By Sales Channel:

• Supermarket/Hypermarket
• Online
• Convenience Stores
• Others

• Rice Syrup 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