Global Millets Market to Reach $18.65 Billion by 2033, Driven by Health & Sustainability Trends

Global Millets Market Overview

According to Renub Research Latest Report Millets Market is poised for steady growth, with projections indicating an increase from USD 11.15 billion in 2024 to USD 18.65 billion by 2033, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.88% between 2025 and 2033.

Millets are a group of small-seeded cereal grains cultivated extensively for human consumption and animal feed. Known for their resilience to extreme climates and low water requirements, millets are primarily grown in Asia and Africa. Popular varieties include pearl millet, finger millet, foxtail millet, and proso millet. Nutritionally, millets are rich in fiber, protein, and essential minerals such as iron, calcium, and magnesium, and they are naturally gluten-free, making them an excellent choice for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.

Increasing awareness of the health benefits of millets—including their role in preventing diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disorders—has led to greater adoption among health-conscious consumers, plant-based diet followers, and families seeking functional foods. Governments and international health organizations are also promoting millet cultivation and consumption as part of sustainable agriculture and food security programs, further boosting market demand.

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Key Growth Drivers

1. Rising Health Awareness and Demand for Nutrient-Dense Foods

Growing global consciousness about nutrition and wellness is a primary driver for millet adoption. Millets are highly nutritious, aiding digestion, controlling blood sugar, and lowering cholesterol levels.

Urban consumers increasingly seek whole grains and gluten-free foods, and dietitians, health influencers, and media campaigns are highlighting millets’ benefits. These factors have elevated millets to the status of functional foods, driving demand across infant foods, bakery products, breakfasts, beverages, and snacks.

Example: In 2023, Nestle India launched a+ Masala Millet Porridges, blending bajra, barley, vegetables, and ten spices to provide a nutrient-rich, culturally relevant product, demonstrating the potential of millets in functional and flavored foods.

2. Government Initiatives and Farming Support

Several governments, particularly in India and African nations, are actively promoting millet cultivation through subsidies, awareness campaigns, and policy support.

India, for instance, declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets, encouraging both farmers and consumers to adopt millet cultivation and consumption. Programs like the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Millet-based Products (PLISMBP), with a budget of USD 96.8 million, support production, supply chain enhancement, and product development. Millets have been officially recognized as “Nutri-Cereals” in India due to their nutritional value, further reinforcing their market presence.

These efforts enhance production capacity, distribution, and export potential, providing significant opportunities for industry players to scale operations and innovate product lines.

3. Growth of Plant-Based and Sustainable Food Movements

Sustainability concerns and eco-conscious diets have increased global interest in millets. Millets require less water, are climate-resilient, and can thrive in dry regions, positioning them as environmentally friendly grains.

Food companies are responding with snacks, breakfast cereals, and bakery products that cater to health-conscious and environmentally aware consumers. Organic millet farming, covering over 96 million hectares worldwide, complements rising demand for chemical-free and ethically produced grains. In 2022, global sales of organic food and beverages reached 135 billion euros, indicating a strong market potential for organic millet products.

Challenges Facing the Millets Market

1. Limited Consumer Awareness and Conventional Perceptions

Despite their nutritional value, millets are sometimes perceived as “poor man’s food” in some regions. Consumers in developed nations are more familiar with alternatives such as quinoa, oats, or brown rice, limiting millet adoption.

Overcoming this challenge requires aggressive marketing, product innovation, and education campaigns by governments and private players. Creating tasty, convenient, and ready-to-consume millet products can further enhance consumer appeal.

2. Supply Chain and Processing Constraints

Post-harvest infrastructure limitations, including storage, milling, and processing challenges, lead to quality loss, price fluctuations, and wastage. Millets also have shorter shelf life than some other grains, which complicates large-scale distribution and export.

Addressing these processing and logistics challenges is crucial for sustaining market growth and improving product accessibility globally.

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Market Segmentation

By Product

Organic Millets: Attract health-conscious and clean-label consumers. Offer chemical-free, naturally cultivated grains.

Regular Millets: Predominantly consumed in developing nations and form a staple diet in India, Nigeria, and Ethiopia. Regular millets are cost-effective and widely accessible.

By Application

Infant Food: High nutritional value and digestibility make millets ideal for baby cereals and porridges.

Bakery Products: Used in breads, cakes, and cookies to enhance nutritional content.

Breakfast Foods: Incorporated in cereals, muesli, pancakes, and ready-to-eat meals.

Beverages: Used in traditional and functional drinks.

Fodder: Provides feed for livestock in rural regions.

Others: Includes snacks, health supplements, and fortified products.

By Distribution Channel

Trade Associations & Organizations: Support bulk procurement and community programs.

Supermarkets & Hypermarkets: Key urban retail channels offering packaged and branded millet products.

Traditional Grocery Stores: Provide local access, particularly in rural regions.

Online Stores: E-commerce platforms facilitate access to specialty, organic, and imported millets, enhancing convenience and consumer education.

Others: Includes food service chains, subscription plans, and institutional buyers.

Regional Insights

North America

The USA is witnessing growing demand due to the gluten-free and eco-conscious trends. Consumers are incorporating millets into snacks, breakfasts, and infant foods. Organic millet products are particularly popular, supported by NGOs and academic initiatives such as the Indo-US Millets Initiative.

Europe

Germany leads European adoption of millets, driven by organic, vegan, and health food trends. Consumers are increasingly using millet in bread, muesli, and breakfast products, supported by government and EU initiatives for sustainable agriculture. Organic imports from India and Africa are also rising.

Asia-Pacific

India remains the largest producer and consumer of millets globally. Urban consumers are adopting processed, ready-to-eat, and packaged millet products, while rural populations continue to consume millets as a staple. Companies are introducing innovative products like millet-based bread, pizza, and burgers.

Middle East & Africa

Saudi Arabia’s millet demand is rising due to health awareness, traditional diets, and diabetic-friendly foods. Imports primarily come from India and Africa. Government initiatives to promote food security and agricultural diversification support market expansion.

Latin America

Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico are witnessing gradual adoption of millet, largely in health food segments, organic markets, and bakery products, supported by growing awareness of gluten-free and plant-based diets.

Emerging Trends in the Millets Market

Innovative Infant Foods: Nutrient-fortified millet porridges, cereals, and snacks targeting early-life nutrition.

Ready-to-Eat Breakfast Foods: Millet-based cereals and pancakes catering to urban lifestyles.

Organic Millets: Rising preference for chemical-free grains with certifications and quality assurance.

E-commerce Penetration: Online platforms providing easy access to specialty and organic millet products, with subscription models and targeted promotions.

Sustainable Agriculture Focus: Millets as water-efficient, climate-resilient, and environmentally friendly crops.

Competitive Landscape

Leading companies shaping the global millet market include:

Amgen Inc.

AstraZeneca

Bayer AG

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

Pfizer Inc.

Novartis AG

Johnson & Johnson

Eli Lilly Company

Seattle Genetics Inc.

Companies are focused on R&D, product portfolio expansion, innovation in ready-to-eat and organic millet products, and strategic collaborations to capture market share in urban, health-conscious, and international markets.

Future Outlook

The Global Millets Market is expected to experience steady growth through 2033, driven by health-conscious diets, sustainable agriculture, and government initiatives promoting millets.

Key growth areas include:

Infant foods and breakfast segments due to high nutritional value and convenience.

Organic millet products, catering to premium consumers and clean-label trends.

E-commerce platforms facilitating wider access and consumer education.

As consumers continue to prioritize health, sustainability, and functional foods, millets are poised to become a mainstream cereal grain globally, with opportunities for product innovation, market expansion, and international trade.

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