Millet Industry Outlook: Gluten-Free Food Trends & Market Expansion

Rising health awareness, sustainability concerns, and government-led initiatives are driving strong demand for millet-based products, supported by expanding distribution channels, value-added product innovation, and growing recognition of millets as climate-resilient, nutrient-dense alternatives to conventional grains. According to IMARC Group's latest data, The global millet market size was valued at USD 13.4 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group estimates the market to reach USD 19.4 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.93% from 2025-2033. Asia Pacific currently dominates the market, holding a market share of over 60% in 2025.

Millets now represent a rapidly growing global market that exceeded USD 13 billion in 2024 and is seeing steady expansion year over year. Demand is being fueled by increased health consciousness, busy lifestyles that favor portable nutrition, and rising interest in gluten-free, plant-based, and clean-label foods.

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Millet Market Growth Drivers:

• Rising Health Consciousness and Nutritional Awareness

Consumers are prioritizing nutritious choices to manage weight, support wellness, and prevent lifestyle diseases like diabetes and obesity. Millets are gaining traction for their high fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, gluten-free profile, and low glycemic index. The market has seen significant adoption as people move away from processed foods toward nutrient-dense alternatives.

• Government Support and Policy-Driven Promotion

The market is receiving strong momentum from active government initiatives aimed at boosting production and consumption. Policymakers recognize millet's potential to address food security, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture. In India, the government launched the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Millet-Based Products with an 800 crore rupee budget to support branded ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook items containing over 15% millet.

• Growing Demand for Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Crops

Consumers and institutions are increasingly embracing millets for their sustainability credentials and adaptability to harsh climates. Millets require significantly less water than conventional grains and thrive in arid and semi-arid regions, making them ideal for areas facing water scarcity and climate variability. This resilience is attracting attention from governments and agricultural organizations focused on long-term food security.

Millet Market Trends:

• Expansion of Value-Added and Ready-to-Eat Products

The market is witnessing rapid growth in value-added millet products like instant mixes, snacks, breakfast cereals, cookies, and beverages designed for convenience-seeking urban consumers. Major food companies are launching millet-based product lines to capture health-conscious demographics without sacrificing taste or ease of use. In 2024, McDonald's India partnered with CSIR-CFTRI to introduce a multi-millet bun featuring bajra, ragi, jowar, proso, and kodo millets.

• Digital Distribution and Direct-to-Consumer Channels

E-commerce and hyperlocal delivery platforms are democratizing access to millet products and enabling niche brands to bypass traditional retail barriers. Digital channels allow agile startups to build dedicated communities and iterate products based on real-time feedback faster than legacy players. In July 2025, Sabala Millets launched its product range on Zepto in Hyderabad and Bengaluru, offering delivery in just 10 minutes.

• Integration into Institutional and Corporate Food Programs

Millets are being incorporated into institutional nutrition programs, corporate meal plans, and public health initiatives, expanding their reach beyond retail consumers. In January 2025, the Millet Feeding Pilot was launched in Udalguri, Assam, under the Anemia Mukta Bharat campaign, providing millet-based foods to 2,465 children and 755 adolescent girls to combat anemia.

Recent News and Developments in Millet Market

• July 2025: Sabala Millets launched its millet-based food products on Zepto in Hyderabad and Bengaluru, offering fast delivery in just 10 minutes. The brand's ready-to-cook range includes items like Multi Millet Pongal, Khichdi, and Bisibele Bhath, aiming to make nutritious meals convenient for urban families.
• June 2025: The Jindal Foundation launched the Jindal Krishi Seva program in Angul, Odisha, aimed at promoting natural farming and millet cultivation. The initiative includes training farmers in eco-friendly practices, mobile soil testing, and the use of organic inputs to improve soil health. Over 2,000 farmers in the district will benefit in the first phase, with plans for expansion across Odisha.
• May 2025: The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh announced plans to boost millet production by procuring grains directly from farmers and supporting cultivation with quality seeds, fertilizers, and incentives. The initiative aims to enhance farmer welfare and promote sustainable agriculture across the state.

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