Flour Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Flour Market is projected to expand from USD 188.88 Billion in 2025 to USD 254.13 Billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 5.07%. Defined as a fine powder produced by milling cereals, roots, beans, or seeds, flour acts as the essential base for breads, pastas, pastries, and other staple foods. Market growth is primarily sustained by the rapid increase in the global population and the corresponding rise in demand for commercially baked goods and convenient food options within urbanizing regions. These fundamental economic factors guarantee a stable consumption baseline for milled products, remaining largely unaffected by fleeting dietary trends or shifting health fads.

Nevertheless, the industry confronts significant hurdles related to the instability of raw material costs, often aggravated by geopolitical conflicts and severe weather events that hamper agricultural production. This volatility disrupts supply chains and reduces profit margins for processors. The impact of these trade pressures is evident in recent data; according to the International Grains Council, global wheat flour trade was forecast to shrink to 15.5 million tonnes in the 2024-25 marketing year, a decline attributed to lower import needs in key markets.

Market Drivers

The escalating consumption of bakery and confectionery items acts as a major commercial catalyst for the flour industry, specifically as urbanization concentrates the demand for industrially manufactured breads, biscuits, and pastries. This sector necessitates a reliable flow of specialized wheat flours, compelling millers to innovate with enzyme-enriched and high-protein varieties that satisfy stringent texture and shelf-life standards. The resilience of this segment is demonstrated by financial performance; according to Associated British Foods in their November 2024 'Annual Results Announcement', Ingredients division sales rose by 2%, fueled by robust results in their yeast and bakery ingredients operations, proving that value-added components drive revenue even during economic fluctuations.

In parallel, the market is strengthened by the expanding pasta and noodle processing sectors, which rely on hard wheat flours and durum semolina to produce shelf-stable staples critical for global food security. This segment thrives on the long-term preservation qualities of dried flour products, rendering them highly suitable for both modern convenience retail and developing logistics infrastructure. The scale of this activity is substantial; according to the International Pasta Organisation's 'World Pasta Day 2024' press release in October 2024, global pasta production hit nearly 17 million tonnes in 2023. Supporting these specific demands is the immense global need for grain processing, highlighted by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service in May 2024, which projected global wheat consumption to reach 802.4 million tons.

Market Challenges

The instability of raw material costs serves as a major obstacle to the steady growth of the global flour industry. Because flour milling depends heavily on the accessibility of specific wheat classes, any interruption in the agricultural supply chain generates immediate financial strain. Unforeseen price fluctuations, resulting from geopolitical instability or adverse weather patterns, complicate procurement strategies for millers. This uncertainty frequently squeezes operating margins, as processors face difficulties in passing the entire burden of increased grain costs onto consumers without jeopardizing sales volumes.

The direct link between reduced agricultural yields and market constraints is underscored by recent industry figures. According to Coceral, the 2024 soft wheat production forecast for the UK and EU-27 was lowered to 126 million tonnes following the negative effects of poor growing conditions and excessive rainfall. Such reductions in regional feedstock availability compel manufacturers to look for alternative, frequently more costly, supply sources. As a result, these rising input costs impair the sector's overall profitability and limit the capital available for market development investments.

Market Trends

The rise of high-protein pulse and legume flours is transforming the market as processors adapt to the growing plant-based nutrition trend. Manufacturers are increasingly replacing traditional wheat bases with nutrient-rich alternatives sourced from lentils, chickpeas, and peas to meet consumer requests for fiber-dense and gluten-free options. This transition is especially notable in the packaged meal and savory sectors, where functional flour blends offer essential texture and nutritional benefits without sacrificing flavor. According to Ingredion Incorporated's 'Third Quarter 2024 Earnings Release' in November 2024, the commercial viability of this segment was evident as the company reported a 29% rise in adjusted operating income, largely driven by strong sales volumes in categories utilizing these specialized pulse ingredients.

Simultaneously, the move toward regenerative agriculture and sustainable sourcing has emerged as a key operational focus for major millers seeking to decarbonize their supply chains. Industrial flour producers are actively collaborating with growers to adopt soil-health-oriented techniques, such as reduced tillage and cover cropping, to ensure resilient grain supplies and achieve scope 3 emission reduction goals set by downstream food brands. This strategic shift represents a deeper level of agronomic involvement beyond standard procurement. According to Ardent Mills' 'Fiscal Year 2024 ESG Report' released in November 2024, the scale of this commitment is illustrated by the successful enrollment of over 598,000 acres across 12 supply shed regions into their regenerative agriculture program.

Key Players Profiled in the Flour Market

• Wudeli Flour Mill Group
• Ardent Mills LLC
• Archer Daniels Midland Company
• General Mills
• Allied Pinnacle Pty Limited
• Manildra Milling Pvt Ltd.
• Acarsan Flour
• Korfez Flour Mills
• George Weston Foods Limited
• Hodgson Mill, Inc.

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Flour Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Flour Market, by Type:

• Wheat
• Rice
• Maize & Others

Flour Market, by Sales Channel:

• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
• Departmental Stores
• Convenience Stores
• Online
• Others (Direct Sales
• etc.)

Flour Market, by Application:

• Bread & Bakery Products
• Noodles & Pasta
• Others

Flour Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Flour Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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