Millet Market is projected to increase at a 4.31% CAGR, growing from USD 14.709 billion in 2025 to USD 18.163 billion by 2030.
Millets, once a dietary staple in Asia and Africa, has been gaining recognition as a climate-resilient crop, offering a sustainable solution to combat hunger amidst changing global climates. Possessing resistance to climatic stress, pests, and diseases, millets contribute to nutritional security, serving as nutrient powerhouses rich in iron, folate, calcium, zinc, and more. With high dietary fiber, gluten-free nature, and a low glycemic index, millets prove beneficial for diabetics, fighting heart disease and nutritional deficiencies. Recognized for their protein and fiber content, millets serve as a sustainable and drought-tolerant crop, particularly vital for farmers in developing nations and regions impacted by climate change. Offering essential amino acids, proteins, fats, and dietary fiber, millets also present a rich array of antioxidants and bioactive substances, positioning them as a valuable nutraceutical and functional food ingredients with potential health benefits.
According to the UN, the world's population has surged to over 8.0 billion in mid-November 2022, a significant threefold increase from approximately 2.5 billion in 1950. With 1 billion added since 2010 and 2 billion since 1998, projections indicate a further increase by nearly 2 billion people over the next 30 years, reaching 9.7 billion in 2050 and potentially peaking at nearly 10.4 billion in the mid-2080s.
This population expansion poses a profound challenge to food security on a global scale. As the world grapples with the implications of this growth, ensuring access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food becomes increasingly complex. In this context, millet emerges as a sustainable solution for addressing hunger amidst a changing global climate. Resilient to climatic stress, pests, and diseases, millets offer a robust food supply. Notably, their minimal water and input requirements make millets a sustainable approach to combat climate change and establish resilient agri-food systems.
The increasing awareness of the health benefits associated with millets is driving their popularity. Millets are rich sources of essential nutrients, providing 65% carbohydrates, 9% proteins, 3% fats, and 2-7% dietary fiber. These nutri-cereals are also abundant in vitamins A, C, and B-complex, along with essential minerals like magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and iron. In comparison to maize and barley, millets excel with 60% higher crude protein, 40% greater lysine and methionine content, and 30% more threonine. Their composition includes antioxidants, bioactive substances such as resistant starch, oligosaccharides, lipids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignans, and phytosterols, making millets valuable as nutraceutical and functional food ingredients for addressing various health concerns. Particularly noteworthy is their suitability for individuals with Celiac disease due to their gluten-free nature, aligning with the growing demand for gluten-free foods driven by the rising diagnoses of celiac disease and gluten intolerance.
A significant challenge facing the millet market is the limited availability and accessibility. The supply of millets is susceptible to fluctuations influenced by factors such as weather conditions, cultivation practices, and storage facilities. The inefficiencies in millet value chains exacerbate the problem, imposing high costs on small processors who struggle to establish new markets through retailers that charge substantial margins. The absence of consistent demand and public procurement further impacts the pricing dynamics, preventing optimal prices at harvest time. Additionally, the relatively short shelf life of millet flours (20-30 days) prompts companies to consider higher pricing to cover costs and ensure business sustainability. Consequently, targeting, health-conscious customers has led to an overall increase in market prices.
The segmentation by product type includes pearl millet, known for its weight loss benefits and digestive health maintenance. This millet's high magnesium content also proves effective in mitigating respiratory issues such as asthma. Another segment, proso millet, stands out for its richness in fiber, protein, and minerals, along with its high antioxidant properties, offering potential protection against cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Little millet, with its nutty flavor and versatile culinary applications, has garnered popularity as a nutritious and environmentally friendly grain choice. The market also encompasses other millet varieties like foxtail, barnyard, Kodo, browntop, sorghum, and finger millet.
The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is anticipated to hold a notable share in the millet market, driven by the fact that 60% of the global population, approximately 4.3 billion people, resides in this region. Notably, populous nations such as China and India contribute significantly to this demographic landscape. With a population of 1.4 billion, India stands as the most populous country globally. China, known for being a major agricultural producer and importer, plays a pivotal role in this scenario, importing a diverse range of products in substantial volumes, surpassing other nations. As a dominant player in the region, China's influence is reshaping the dynamics of the overall food product market, including the dedicated segment focused on millet and millet-based products. This shift signifies a noteworthy transformation in the regional food industry.
| Report Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Study Period | 2021 to 2031 |
| Historical Data | 2021 to 2024 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026 – 2031 |
| Report Metric | Details |
| Millet Market Size in 2025 | USD 14.709 billion |
| Millet Market Size in 2030 | USD 18.163 billion |
| Growth Rate | CAGR of 4.31% |
| Study Period | 2020 to 2030 |
| Historical Data | 2020 to 2023 |
| Base Year | 2024 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 – 2030 |
| Forecast Unit (Value) | USD Billion |
| Segmentation |
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| Geographical Segmentation | North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific |
| List of Major Companies in the Millet Market |
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| Customization Scope | Free report customization with purchase |
Millet Market Segmentation
Page last updated on: September 22, 2025