Millet Market: Nutrient-Rich Grains, Health-Conscious Consumption & Growing Global Demand

According to IMARC Group's latest research publication, the global millet market size reached USD 13.4 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 19.4 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 3.93% during 2025-2033.

How AI is Reshaping the Future of Millet Market

• Precision Farming and Yield Optimization:

AI-powered systems analyze satellite imagery and sensor data to monitor crop health and optimize irrigation schedules. Over 70 million acres globally use AI tools, increasing efficiency by 22% while enabling farmers to predict yield with 91% accuracy, minimizing resource waste.

• Disease Detection and Crop Monitoring:

Computer vision algorithms identify early-stage infections in millet crops with over 90% accuracy. Machine learning models detect pest outbreaks and nutrient deficiencies in real-time, reducing chemical usage by 27% through precision spraying enabled by AI drones.

• Weather Prediction and Harvest Planning:

AI-powered predictive weather modeling serves 15 million farms globally, enabling better harvest planning and mitigating losses from unpredictable patterns. These systems process vast data from IoT devices to provide real-time insights for resource-efficient millet cultivation decisions.

• Supply Chain and Processing Automation:

AI technologies combined with blockchain enable end-to-end traceability throughout millet supply chains. Automated systems optimize post-harvest processing, reducing losses from historical 20-30% to near 15% while improving quality control and enabling transparent pricing mechanisms for growers.

• Data-Driven Decision Support Systems:

AI chatbots and virtual agronomists provided advice to over 2 million farmers worldwide, offering real-time recommendations on planting schedules and pest control. These platforms integrate historical data with live monitoring to empower smallholder millet farmers with actionable intelligence.

Millet Industry Overview

India leads global millet production with a 38.4% share, producing 180.15 lakh tonnes in the recent crop year—a 4.43 lakh tonne increase over the previous period. The government's Shree Anna initiative, backed by ₹2,03,000 crore under PM-GKAY and ₹8,000 crore through Krishonnati Yojana, strengthens the entire value chain from cultivation to export. Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Karnataka together contribute nearly 70% of national output, while bajra dominates production volumes. The National Food Security Mission and state programs like Karnataka's Raitha Siri scheme provide financial assistance and promote climate-resilient farming. India exported 146,000 metric tons valued at USD 70.89 million recently, positioning the country toward its USD 100 million export target, supported by millet integration into the Public Distribution System and international partnerships like the Indo-US Millets Initiative.

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Millet Market Trends & Drivers

• Rising health consciousness drives millet adoption as consumers seek gluten-free, high-fiber alternatives to combat obesity and diabetes. With 400-600 million adults globally suffering from diabetes according to the International Diabetes Federation, nutrient-dense millets rich in proteins, minerals, and antioxidants offer therapeutic benefits for managing lifestyle diseases. The designation of the International Year of Millets by the United Nations amplified global awareness, while nutritionists increasingly recommend millets for improved digestion, reduced cholesterol, and better blood sugar control. Urban populations particularly embrace convenient millet-based products, with companies like ITC, Britannia, and Nestlé launching innovative items including cookies, bread, breakfast cereals, and ready-to-eat meals. The growing endorsement from health organizations and integration into dietary guidelines position millets as mainstream superfoods rather than niche grains.
• Climate resilience makes millets increasingly attractive amid water scarcity and erratic weather patterns affecting traditional cereals. Millets require 70% less irrigation than rice, surviving on just 200-400 millimeters of rainfall while thriving in semi-arid regions where wheat and paddy struggle. This drought-tolerance proves crucial as rising temperatures and unpredictable monsoons threaten food security across vulnerable geographies. Farmers in Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Maharashtra—regions plagued by water stress—report millets outperforming conventional crops, generating yields of 12 quintals per hectare even on previously fallow land. Government programs like the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana support farmers transitioning to climate-smart millet cultivation through subsidies, technical training, and modern techniques including row farming and organic inputs. Processing conglomerates investing in millet infrastructure further validate the crop's commercial viability and sustainability credentials.
• Product innovation and retail expansion accelerate market penetration across consumer segments and geographic markets. Major brands launched millet-based offerings including Britannia's millet bread, PepsiCo's Kurkure Jowar Puffs, Tata Soulfull breakfast cereals, and ITC's Sunfeast millet cookies, making ancient grains accessible through familiar formats. Specialty startups like Slurrp Farm secured $7 million funding to scale millet-focused product lines, while Britannia opened dedicated manufacturing facilities in Gujarat to meet surging demand. Modern retail channels including supermarkets and e-commerce platforms expanded millet shelf presence, with brands emphasizing clean-label credentials and premium positioning commanding 40-60% price premiums over commodity grains. International markets including the USA, Germany, and Japan witness growing millet adoption in vegan, organic, and gluten-free categories, supported by export promotion schemes offering financial incentives and trade fair participation for Indian producers targeting 200,000 metric ton volume increases.

Leading Companies Operating in the Global Millet Industry

• Archer-Daniels-Midland Company
• Bayer AG
• Brett-Young Seeds Limited
• Cargill Incorporated
• Ernst Conservation Seeds
• Roundstone Native Seed Company
• Seedway LLC

Millet Market Report Segmentation

By Product Type:

• Pearl Millet
• Finger Millet
• Proso Millet
• Others

Pearl millet represents the largest segment due to its high protein content and climate adaptability.

By Application:

• Infant Food
• Bakery Products
• Beverages
• Others

Infant food holds the largest market share owing to millet's nutritional benefits for early development.

By Distribution Channel:

• Supermarket and Hypermarkets
• Traditional Grocery Stores
• Online Stores
• Others

Traditional grocery stores account for the largest share due to established distribution networks.

Regional Insights:

• North America (United States, Canada)
• Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Others)
• Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, Others)
• Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Others)
• Middle East and Africa

Asia Pacific exhibits clear dominance with 46.1% market share due to strong production and consumption.

Recent News and Developments in Millet Market

• June 2025: Millet Udyami Bharath 2025 held in Hyderabad trained 140 participants from 25 Indian states in millet entrepreneurship, wellness, and sustainable agricultural business, establishing a foundation for a nationwide millet initiative.
• August 2024: The Prime Minister of India introduced 109 new and hybrid varieties of 61 crops, including millets such as barley, sorghum, pearl millet, and finger millet, aimed at increasing crop yields and quality to improve farmer income.
• Second Quarter 2024: Britannia Industries inaugurated a new manufacturing facility in Gujarat dedicated to producing millet-based bakery and snack products, expanding capacity to meet rising demand for healthy food options.
• First Quarter 2024: Slurrp Farm raised $7 million in Series B funding to expand its millet-based product line, scaling up production, expanding distribution networks, and investing in product development and innovation.
• January 2024: India and the United States launched the Indo-US Millets Initiative to increase awareness, production, and consumption of nutrient-rich millets, integrating expertise from Sorghum United, North American Millets Alliance, and India's national Millet Initiative.

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