Global Ancient & Specialty Grain Flour Market: A Study of Changing Market Dynamics, Growth, Future Prospects, and Russia – Ukraine War impact Analysis, 2016 – 2028

Ancient and specialty grain flour is the flour which is produced from ancient grains such as barley, rye, buckwheat, quinoa, millet, kamut, spelt, etc. Since ancient grains flour is less processed, nowadays, it is widely used as an alternative to the regular wheat flour. Most of the types of ancient grain flour are gluten free and exhibits numerous nutritional benefits. Ancient grain flour is easy to digest and can be used in variety of applications where wheat and all-purpose white flour is traditionally used.

The different applications of ancient and specialty grain flour include bakery, confectionary, and ready to cook and eat products. The increasing trend of organic food consumption across the world is driving the high consumption of ancient and specialty grain flour. The companies operating in the market offers a wide portfolio of ancient and specialty grain flour products ranging from single grain flour to flour consisting multigrain blend.  

Global Ancient & Specialty Grain Flour market has generated revenue of over USD 2,168.75 million in 2021. It is expected to exhibit CAGR of over 5.75% during the forecast period to reach over USD 3,336.43 million by the end of 2028. While, cumulative growth opportunity offered by the global Ancient & Specialty Grain Flour market stood above USD 19.91 billion for the analysis period ranging between 2022 to 2028.      

Interesting Facts about Ancient & Specialty Grain Flour Industry

• Global Ancient & Specialty Grain Flour consumption in 2021 was record at around 425 kilo tons
• Ancient & Specialty Grain Flour tend to be higher in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and zinc because they haven't been stripped
• Origin of Ancient & Specialty Grains dates back to 10,000 years ago
• Ancient & Specialty Grain Flour are costlier that conventional grain flour
• Growing organic food trend is major driving factor for this industry

Growing Organic and Gluten Free Food Trend

Wheat and white flour dominated the market for quite a long time. However, Ancient & specialty grains are coming back with growing adoption across the regions. Ancient & specialty grains are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, omega-3, proteins, anti-oxidants, and fatty acids, for this reason, people are more inclined towards healthy ancient grains than modern grains. Besides, changing lifestyle and health concern among people is day by day on the rise, which is a key factor benefiting the ancient & specialty grain market growth. 

Additionally, the attraction of ancient & specialty grains for some consumers is the bundle of benefits that manifest simplicity and are more likely to prefer organic food than genetically modified food. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the U.S. sales of organic products were estimated at around USD 60 billion in 2025.

Barley Dominated Ancient & Specialty Grain Flours Market

Based on the segment of product, the market of U.S Ancient & Specialty Grain Flour is divided into Barley, Rye, Buckwheat, Millet, Quinoa, and Others wherein the category of Barley is observed to gain large volume of shares in terms of volume. The division of rye is expected to impose a robust growth in the market in the subsequent years. Quinoa is fastest growing segment among all types of Ancient & Specialty Grain Flour. 

Huge Demand for Conventional Grains and High Cost of Ancient & Specialty Grain Flour

Most of the American’s diet is still dominated by conventional grains like corn, rice, wheat, and oats. The price difference between ancient and conventional/modern grains is huge. Some economic factors such as grain yields, production costs, capital needs, and net returns are risk factors for the U.S. manufacturers of ancient & specialty grains.

Retail Packaged Flour ot Dominate the Demand for Ancient & Specialty Grain Flour

Bakery, Confectionary, Ready to Eat, Retail Packed Flour and Others are major segments of Ancient & Specialty Grain Flour market. The segment of application is dominated by Retail Packed Flour. It accounted for over 30% share in total revenue generation in 2021. Retail Packed Flour also expected to exhibit rapid growth rate over the forecast period. Other such categories of applications are Bakery, Confectionary, Ready to Eat, and Retail Packed Flour. Along with the maximum market share, the Retail Packed Flour are foreseen to account the fastest growth rate in the estimated period.

Highly Fragmented Market

Agrana Beteiligungs-AG, Associated British Foods PLC., Cargill Inc., Enjoy Life Foods LLC, General Mills, Inc., Limagrain, Parrish and Heimbecker, Sunopta Inc., The Hain Celestial Group Inc. and The Scoular Company are major players operating in the global Ancient & Specialty Grain Flour market. Acquisitions & Mergers has been remained major strategies adopted by the global Ancient & Specialty Grain Flour market. By the end of December 2017, The Hain Celestial Group Inc. acquired Clarks UK Ltd., a major natural sweetener brand in UK, this will help the company to strengthen health and wellness portfolio of its brand.

Frequently asked questions about global Ancient & Specialty Grain Flour industry