Wheat Germ Oil Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Nature (Organic, Conventional), By End User (Cosmetics & Personal Care, Pharmaceuticals, Food & Beverages, Feed Industry, Others), By Distribution Channel (Direct Sales, Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Online, Others) By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 684.86 Million
CAGR (2026-2031)	6.29%
Fastest Growing Segment	Organic
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 987.54 Million

Market Overview

The Global Wheat Germ Oil Market will grow from USD 684.86 Million in 2025 to USD 987.54 Million by 2031 at a 6.29% CAGR. Wheat germ oil is a nutrient-dense botanical extract derived from the embryo of the wheat kernel, distinguished by its high concentration of vitamin E, octacosanol, and essential fatty acids. The market is primarily propelled by the expanding application of this oil in the cosmetic and personal care sectors, where its moisturizing and skin-repairing properties are highly valued for anti-aging formulations. Furthermore, the growing pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries drive demand as consumers increasingly seek natural sources of antioxidants to support cardiovascular health and boost immunity.

Despite these growth prospects, the market faces a significant challenge regarding the stability of the product, as wheat germ oil is highly susceptible to oxidation and rancidity which complicates storage and shortens shelf life. This fragility often necessitates expensive cold-press extraction methods or stabilization processes that increase final product costs and limit widespread adoption in lower-margin goods. Regarding raw material supply, according to the International Grains Council, in 2024, global wheat production was forecast to reach approximately 798 million tons, a statistic that underscores the massive agricultural scale required to generate sufficient germ by-products for specialized oil extraction.

Key Market Drivers

The rising consumer demand for natural and organic personal care products acts as a primary catalyst for the wheat germ oil industry. As cosmetic manufacturers reformulate products to meet "clean beauty" standards, the high Vitamin E and ceramide content of wheat germ oil makes it a preferred botanical ingredient for hydration and skin barrier repair. Major beauty conglomerates are aggressively shifting their supply chains toward sustainable inputs to align with this preference. According to L'Oréal, March 2024, in the '2023 Universal Registration Document', 65% of the raw materials used by the company were from biobased, abundant, or circular sources, reflecting the massive industrial pivot that incentivizes the upstream production of plant-derived lipids like wheat germ oil. This shift forces ingredient suppliers to ensure high-purity, cold-pressed variants are available for premium skincare lines.

Concurrently, the surging popularity of dietary supplements and nutraceuticals significantly bolsters market expansion. Consumers are increasingly turning to plant-based supplements for cardiovascular support and athletic performance, utilizing wheat germ oil for its rich octacosanol and policosanol profiles. According to the Council for Responsible Nutrition, October 2024, in the '2024 CRN Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements', 75% of U.S. adults reported using dietary supplements, a usage rate that underscores the robust addressable market for functional ingredients. To sustain this demand, the agricultural sector must maintain consistent output to support extraction scales. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, in 2024, global wheat consumption was projected to reach roughly 802 million metric tons, ensuring a steady availability of raw grain for germ extraction. This vast agricultural base supports the scalability of oil production for both nutritional capsules and functional food applications.

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Key Market Challenges

The susceptibility of wheat germ oil to rapid oxidation and rancidity presents a formidable barrier to commercial expansion. This inherent chemical instability significantly shortens the shelf life of the extract, necessitating rigorous and capital-intensive storage protocols to maintain product quality. Manufacturers are often compelled to utilize costly extraction methods, such as cold-pressing, to preserve the oil's nutrient profile without accelerating degradation. These processing and logistical requirements substantially inflate the final cost of the product, rendering it economically unviable for widespread incorporation into price-sensitive, high-volume consumer goods. Consequently, the market remains largely restricted to premium segments rather than expanding into broader mass-market applications.

This cost-driven limitation is further compounded by the intensive utilization of the raw material in the global food supply chain. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, in 2024, global wheat consumption was projected to reach approximately 803 million metric tons. While the base commodity is traded at a massive scale, the economic inefficiencies associated with stabilizing its fragile oil derivative prevent producers from achieving the economies of scale required to compete with more stable, lower-cost botanical oils. This dynamic effectively caps market growth by preventing the transition of wheat germ oil from a specialized ingredient to a commoditized staple.

Key Market Trends

The integration of wheat germ oil into sports nutrition and recovery formulations represents a strategic shift toward plant-based performance enhancers. Formulators are increasingly utilizing the oil’s high octacosanol content to develop ergogenic aids designed to improve endurance and accelerate muscle repair, distinguishing these products from standard protein applications. This trend allows wheat germ oil producers to position their extract as a functional necessity for athletic endurance rather than a generic additive. According to Glanbia plc, February 2025, in the 'Full-Year 2024 Update', the company's Performance Nutrition division generated approximately $1.81 billion in revenue, demonstrating the massive commercial ecosystem available for specialized botanical ingredients like wheat germ oil to penetrate the athletic recovery sector.

Simultaneously, the expansion into premium pet food fortification is reshaping the downstream utility of the ingredient. As pet owners increasingly demand human-grade functionality for their animals, manufacturers are incorporating wheat germ oil into high-end kibble and wet foods to promote skin health and coat luster. This application provides a lucrative outlet for oil stocks that meets specific veterinary nutritional standards, diversifying revenue streams beyond human consumption. According to the American Pet Products Association, March 2025, in the '2025 State of the Industry Report', total U.S. pet industry expenditures reached $152 billion in 2024, highlighting the vast capital influx that incentivizes lipid suppliers to diversify their portfolios into the animal wellness sector.

Segmental Insights

The Organic segment is positioned as the fastest-growing category in the Global Wheat Germ Oil Market, driven by shifting consumer preferences toward clean-label and non-GMO products. This growth is accelerated by the widespread incorporation of organic oil into premium cosmetic formulations and dietary supplements, where high purity levels are essential. Additionally, adherence to rigorous production standards set by authorities such as the USDA and the European Commission enhances product credibility. These regulatory frameworks provide necessary quality assurance, encouraging manufacturers to transition from conventional inputs to organic variants to meet rising market expectations.

Regional Insights

North America commands a dominant position in the Global Wheat Germ Oil Market, driven primarily by the region’s strong consumer preference for natural and plant-based ingredients within the personal care and nutraceutical sectors. The market benefits significantly from widespread awareness regarding the antioxidant properties of Vitamin E, leading to extensive product application in anti-aging cosmetics, hair care formulations, and dietary supplements. Furthermore, robust safety standards maintained by regulatory bodies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reinforce consumer trust and facilitate stable commercial growth for manufacturers operating in this space.

Recent Developments

• In March 2025, researchers published a study in the International Journal of Medical Laboratory investigating the protective effects of wheat germ oil against stress-induced reproductive damage. The study examined the impact of wheat germ oil supplementation, combined with music therapy, on testicular damage caused by acute and chronic immobility stress in male rats. The results indicated that the treatment significantly mitigated oxidative stress and normalized reproductive parameters, reinforcing the potential of wheat germ oil as a potent antioxidant intervention for managing stress-related physiological impairments.
• In May 2024, CoreFX Ingredients LLC, a manufacturer of dry nutritional ingredients, acquired the assets of Connoils LLC, a company specializing in powder delivery systems and specialty oil distribution. This strategic acquisition included Connoils' manufacturing facility in Wisconsin and its expertise in producing oil powders, including those derived from wheat germ oil. The collaboration allows CoreFX to expand its portfolio of clean-label lipid solutions and leverage Connoils' proprietary drying technology to create high-quality, bioavailable oil powders for the global food and supplement markets.
• In February 2024, a study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science highlighted the therapeutic potential of wheat germ oil in treating parasitic infections. The research demonstrated that a combination of wheat germ oil and propolis significantly reduced the parasite burden and restored histopathological changes in the brain, uterus, and kidney of mice infected with acute toxoplasmosis. The findings suggest that the oil's high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties contribute to its efficacy as a natural antiparasitic agent, offering a potential alternative or adjunct to conventional treatments.
• In early 2024, the plant-based nutrition and personal care brand Plix introduced its "Rosemary Advanced Hair Growth Serum" to the market. This new product formulation incorporates wheat germ extract alongside other active ingredients such as Redensyl and Baicapil to target hair fall and promote hair density. The inclusion of wheat germ extract leverages the ingredient's rich vitamin E and fatty acid profile to nourish hair follicles and improve scalp health, catering to the growing consumer demand for functional, nature-derived hair care solutions.

Key Market Players

• Agroselprom Ltd
• Natural Organics Inc.
• PHM Brands, LLC
• Country Life Vitamins, LLC
• NOW Health Group, Inc.
• Hebei Jiafeng Plant Oils Co., Ltd.
• NeoLife International, LLC
• GNC Holdings, LLC
• NutriPlex Formulas Inc.
• Arista Industries, Inc.

By Nature	By End User	By Distribution Channel	By Region
Organic Conventional	Cosmetics & Personal Care Pharmaceuticals Food & Beverages Feed Industry Others	Direct Sales Supermarkets/Hypermarkets Online Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Wheat Germ Oil Market, By Nature:

• Organic
• Conventional

• Wheat Germ Oil Market, By End User:

• Cosmetics & Personal Care
• Pharmaceuticals
• Food & Beverages
• Feed Industry
• Others

• Wheat Germ Oil Market, By Distribution Channel:

• Direct Sales
• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
• Online
• Others

• Wheat Germ Oil 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