Global Millets Market Size, Trends & Forecast 2025–2033

Global Millets Market Size and Forecast 2025-2033

The Global Millets Market valued USD 11.15 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 18.65 billion by 2033 with a growth rate of 5.88% from 2025 to 2033. Increasing consumer sensitivity to health benefits, gluten-free diets, and government aid for sustainable farming practices are fueling demand for millets in developing food, beverage, and nutritional supplement industries worldwide.

The report Global Millets Market & Forecast covers by Product (Organic, Regular), Application (Infant Food, Bakery Product, Breakfasts, Beverages, Fodder, Others), Distribution Channels (Trade Associations & organizations, Supermarkets, Traditional Grocery Stores, Online Stores, Others), Countries and Company Analysis 2025-2033.

Overview of the Millets Market

Millets are a collection of small-seeded grasses that are extensively grown as cereal crops or grains for human use and animal feed. Characterized by their ability to withstand extreme climates and low water usage, millets are mainly cultivated in Asia and Africa. Some of the common millets are pearl millet, finger millet, foxtail millet, and proso millet. Millets are high in fiber, protein, and essential minerals such as iron, calcium, and magnesium. Millets are gluten-free, making them a suitable alternative for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Worldwide, millets are becoming increasingly popular because of their nutritional value and potential in the prevention of lifestyle diseases like diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disorders. Health-oriented consumers and proponents of plant-based diets are increasingly using millets in their diets in the form of porridge, breads, snacks, and drinks. Governments and global health agencies are also encouraging millet cultivation and consumption as a part of sustainable agriculture and food security programs, further enhancing their global demand and presence.

Key Growth Drivers and Challenges

Increasing Health Awareness and Requirement for Healthy Foods with High Nutritional Value

Increased awareness regarding health and nutrition is the key growth driver for the global millets market. Millets are high in fiber, protein, and vital minerals and provide a host of health benefits like controlling diabetes, facilitating digestion, and lowering cholesterol levels. People, particularly in urban regions, are moving towards whole grains and gluten-free food. This change is complemented by dietitians and health influencers supporting millet-based food. With increasing non-communicable diseases in the world, millets are gaining the reputation of a functional food, raising their demand in different segments. Nestle India introduced a+ Masala millet porridges in 2023 that bring together taste and nutrition. Based on local ingredients such as bajra barley, vegetables, and a special blend of 10 spices, these products address local taste habits.

Government Initiatives and Farming Support

Various governments, especially in India and Africa, are actively encouraging the cultivation and use of millets through subsidies, awareness, and policy support. For example, India announced 2023 as the "International Year of Millets," prompting farmers to plant millets and consumers to switch to millets. These efforts are enhancing the production capacity, supply chain facilities, and foreign trade potential for millets. Support from the public sector also improves millet-based product development and integration into public nutrition schemes such as mid-day meals and food security programs. The Indian Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has launched the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Millet-based Products (PLISMBP) with a budget of Rs. 800 crores (USD 96.8 million) for 2022-23 to 2026-27. The Government of India has also graded millets as "Nutri-Cereals" because they are very rich in nutrition, favoring market growth during the forecast period.

Development of the Plant-Based and Sustainable Food Movement

Global efforts towards sustainable agriculture and green diets are also driving millet market growth. Millets use less water, are climate-stress-tolerant, and can be cultivated in dry areas, hence very sustainable. With consumers looking for sustainable food options, millets find a place of honor in the conscious consumption philosophy. Moreover, food companies are experimenting with millet products such as snacks, breakfast cereals, and bakery products, catering to changing tastes of health-conscious and environmentally conscious consumers. Organic farming is practiced across 188 nations, covering more than 96 million hectares of land under the care of approximately 4.5 million farmers. In 2022, worldwide sales of organic food and beverages approached 135 billion euros.

Issues within the Global Millets Market

Limited Consumer Knowledge and Conventional Perception

Even though millets are highly nutritional, they continue to be perceived as a "poor man's food" in some parts of the world. There is a lack of awareness regarding their health benefits, along with fewer options of tasty millet-based products available, which discourage mass adoption. In industrialized nations, people know quinoa, oats, or brown rice better, while millets are not properly utilized. This perception needs to be overcome through aggressive marketing, education, and brand building by governments as well as private sector players.

Supply Chain and Processing Constraints

The millet market is challenged by post-harvest infrastructure, such as poor storage, milling, and processing facilities. These deficiencies result in quality loss, price instability, and wastage. Millets also have a shorter shelf life than some other grains, making large-scale distribution more difficult. These processing and logistics challenges restrict market growth and impact export potential, particularly in areas where the supply chain remains underdeveloped or highly fragmented.

Global Organic Millets Market

Organic millets are in demand as consumers look for chemical-free, naturally cultivated grains. Organic millets find traction among health-conscious consumers and clean-label diet followers. With rigorous quality checks, certifications, and increasing consumer confidence in organic food, this segment is growing worldwide. Retailers and online stores are launching premium organic millet products, ranging from flours to ready-to-consume snacks. Farmers are also embracing organic farming practices with increasing profitability and government subsidies. The organic millet market is projected to witness sustained growth, especially in North America, Europe, and Asian-Pacific urban markets.

Global Regular Millets Market

Regular millets form the majority of the global millet supply and are largely consumed in developing economies. Regular millets are predominantly used in customary diets in India, Nigeria, and Ethiopia. These millets are price-friendly and easily available, so they form a staple for middle- and low-income groups of households. Although they are not as premium as organic counterparts, normal millets play a strong role in rural food security and nutrition. As processing and packaging improve, the segment is increasingly making its presence felt in modern retail outlets and food service channels as well.

Global Millets Infant Food Market

Millet baby foods are becoming popular because they have high nutritional content, easy digestibility, and are gluten-free. Pediatricians and nutritionists commonly suggest millets for infants who are beginning solids, particularly in Asia and Africa. Millet porridge, snacks, and fortified with vitamins and minerals millet cereals are now being marketed in local and international markets. With increasing awareness of early-life nutrition and demand for organic, natural baby food, companies are introducing innovative infant food millet-based products. This market is poised to expand at a fast rate in urban as well as rural markets across the world.

Global Millets Breakfasts Market

Millets are emerging as a popular ingredient in healthy breakfast foods like cereals, muesli, pancakes, and porridges. As consumers focus more on protein-rich, low-carb, and gluten-free breakfast foods, they are shifting to millet-based breakfast. Food companies are introducing ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook millet foods targeting busy urban lifestyles while providing health benefits. The category is gaining strong growth momentum in North America, Europe, and some pockets of Asia on the back of good retail availability and increasing adoption in hotel and café menus.

Global Millets Supermarkets Market

Hypermarkets and supermarkets are major retailing channels for millet products, particularly in urban regions. These stores offer extensive visibility, packaged millet products in an organized manner, and branded millet products varying from raw cereals to value-added ones such as snacks and flours. Supermarkets also offer the means to conduct promotional schemes, in-store samplings, and consumer information. Increasing demand has led supermarket chains to widen their range of millet products, such as organic and overseas varieties, that attract mainstream and health-oriented consumers.

Global Millets Online Stores Market

E-commerce websites are emerging as the decisive factor in the global millets market. Online stores are giving easy access to numerous types of millet products, including specialty, organic, and niche variants. Subscription plans, digital health promoters, and special promotions have added to the impetus for online millet sales. Buyers prefer online platforms for product diversity, convenience of delivery, and information about nutrients. Particularly in the time of and after COVID-19, online sales of millet boosted following higher health awareness and electronic shopping behavior.

USA Millets Market

The USA is experiencing rising demand for millets following the growing need for gluten-free and eco-friendly grains. Healthful consumers are adopting millet as a replacement for rice, wheat, and quinoa. Food ventures and conventional brands are adding millets to snacks, breakfast foods, and infant foods. The organic millet segment is especially robust, led by the clean-label trend. Research organizations and NGOs are also encouraging millet cultivation in some states, complementing domestic production with imports. January 2024, India and the US initiated the Indo-US Millets Initiative to increase awareness and support for nutrient-dense millets. Major stakeholders involve the University of Nebraska's Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, Sorghum United, the North American Millets Alliance, and India's national Millet Initiative.

Germany Millets Market

Germany is one of the major European markets adopting millets because of the popularity of organic, vegan, and health foods. Increasingly, consumers are turning to millet in bread, muesli, and other breakfast foods. The German market is led by robust demand in organic shops and health food stores. Government and EU incentives for sustainable agriculture also help in millet cultivation and processing. Import demand for certified organic millets from India and Africa also is growing steadily.

India Millets Market

India has the highest millet production and consumption in the world. Domestic consumption is growing at a fast pace due to government initiatives such as the "International Year of Millets" and the roll-out of millets through public nutrition programs. Millet-based packaged foods are being demanded by urban consumers, whereas millets are everyday staples in rural areas. The Indian market is also seeing innovation in millet-based snacks, ready-to-eat meals, and beverages. May 2023, Bonn Group of Industries launched millet-based food items such as Millet Bread, Pizza, and Burgers using Jowar, Bajra, and Ragi. Their slogan, "Go Healthy With Millets," supports the International Millets Year and India's Millet Mission in following a healthy diet.

Saudi Arabia Millets Market

There is a growing demand for millets in Saudi Arabia due to increased health awareness and the consumption of traditional and gluten-free diets. Millets are also being utilized in diabetic and heart-healthy foods. Most of the millet imports come into the country from India and Africa. Millet product distribution is growing through health food stores, specialty food stores, and online stores. Government initiatives to promote food security and diversification of farm imports are likely to further support the Kingdom's millet market. March 2023-Mozambique and Saudi Arabia entered into a memorandum of understanding to deepen cooperation in rural development and agriculture. The deal is about agriculture cooperation, poultry farming, livestock breeding, irrigation, and encouraging agricultural investment in Mozambique. Saudi Arabia's main crops are alfalfa, cereals, vegetables, fruits, and fodder.

Millets Market Segments

Product

• Organic
• Regular

Application

• Infant Food
• Bakery Product
• Breakfasts
• Beverages
• Fodder
• Others

Distribution Channels

• Trade Associations & organizations
• Supermarkets
• Traditional Grocery Stores
• Online Stores
• Others

Regional Analysis of the Millets Industry

North America

• United States
• Canada

Europe

• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• United Kingdom
• Belgium
• Netherlands
• Turkey

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• Australia
• South Korea
• Thailand
• Malaysia
• Indonesia
• New Zealand

Latin America

• Brazil          
• Argentina
• Mexico

Middle East & Africa

• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates

Companies have been covered from 5 viewpoints

• Overviews
• Key Person
• Recent Developments
• Product Portfolio     
• Revenue

Competitive Landscape

• Amgen Inc.
• AstraZeneca
• Bayer AG
• Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
• Pfizer Inc.
• Novarts AG
• Johnson & Johnson
• Eli Lily Company
• Seattle Genetics Inc

Report Details: