Cereal Flour Market Size - By Source Grain, Product Type, Processing Type, Application, End Use, Distribution Channel, Growth Forecast, 2025 - 2034

Cereal Flour Market Size

The global cereal flour market size was valued at USD 134.6 billion in 2024. The market is growing from USD 142.1 billion in 2025 to USD 232.3 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 5.6%.
 

The market and its new developments have always had expansion because of constant demand in both developed and developing countries. In the past, growth in the market was due to urbanization, overpopulation, and increased consumption of fast food. Also, there was good consumption of flour for end-use industries such as bakery products, noodles, and even breakfast cereals.
 

With the distinctive characteristics of the industries remaining the same, consumers were inclined to prefer more processed and refined flour types instead of full-grain options. There were gradual shifts in the demand towards whole grain flours because of shifts in health and nutrition awareness which did not suffice to meet the demand of refined flours.
 

Growth was spearheaded by North America and Europe where processed flour consumption remained consistently elevated. In comparison, the Asia-Pacific region is emerging as the fastest expanding consumer market owing to the prominence of rice, wheat, and millet flour-based cereals in the diet of people in India and China.
 

The market will continue to grow positively in the forecasted years. This growth will be fueled mainly by socio-demographic features. Especially in Asia and Africa, there is an increase in population which will lead to a growing need for staple food cereal flour, further increasing the demand for cereal flour.
 

Another essential factor for the forecast period is anticipated to include food security and healthcare policies aimed towards nutrition. There is an ongoing initiative to promote the fortification of staple foods such as flour. This is expected to increase the supply of flour types that are fortified, especially in areas where there is a shortage of essential micronutrients.
 

Alongside the policies, the dynamics of the population as well as the increase in per capita disposable income is expected to greatly change the consumption patterns and diversify the eating habits. This will result in increased use of convenience and deli foods that are heavily dependent on processed cereal flour.
 

Cereal Flour Market Trends

Cereal flour can be obtained from crops like wheat, corn, rice, barley, or oats. It’s very important for a lot of food products and serves as a main ingredient. Flour serves as the basis for almost all human diets, which also makes its market demand fluctuate depending on changes in population, consumption patterns, or health consciousness.
 

The increase in world population is directly correlated to the increase in demand for staple foods, particularly those made from cereal flour. This demand also comes together with the growing, busy urban centers that increase the consumption of cereal-flour based convenience foods, i.e. bread and pastries and ready-to-eat snacks.
 

Tablets and instant mixes of snacks which are abundant in cereal based flour, also form an important factor in this demand. Simultaneously, Flour is predominantly used for baking pastries and making bread as popular foods that are consumed in urban centers. On the other hand, Cereal based foods are marketed to the general public as food supplements.
 

Many governments worldwide are adopting policy measures to improve public health which sets the standard of fortifying flour with micronutrients. Furthermore, the need to enhance whole foods diets has perpetuated the shift toward multigrain and whole carbohydrate foods. These changes in preference are not independent of the growth around the fortification policies; they serve as an impetus for expanding the offering of products by the manufacturers.
 

• In 21 CFR Part 137, the FDA regulates certain standardized cereal flours, specifically governing the maximum limits of ash and moisture content along with optional bleaching agents. This section of the code encompasses cereal flour and their derivatives alongside the standardization of wheat, rye and oat flour.
   
• It includes the regulation of adding thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid and iron, as seen in enriched flour, which further fortifies these nutrients.
   
• Labels of flour products must be verified against the guidelines provided by the FDA which include the usage of specified terminology for claiming whole grain and any other potential assertions made.
   

Cereal Flour Market Analysis

The automation and mechanization of processes are improving the efficiency of several activities associated with cereal production and processing. Machines equipped with automation systems perform sorting, grading, and packaging at a higher level, enhancing accuracy, consistency, and reducing waste. In addition, crop yield with lower levels of environmental harm can be achieved using satellite images and sensors through precision agriculture.
 

Food labeling and certification laws are being adopted in different countries to increase transparency and ensure consumer confidence. The USDA Organic label, for example, requires that no less than 95% of the ingredients used must be sourced from certified organic farms. Along with increasing organic food demand, these laws are driving manufacturers to stick to higher standards and changing product marketing strategies.
 

Market Intelligence: Meeting specific health and diet requirements is emerging as a new demand. More consumers are looking for cereals that do not contain gluten as well as other ingredients that could enhance their health. Such demand is forcing manufacturers to broaden their product range to satisfy such demand.
 

The wheat flour grain type segment was valued at USD 34.3 billion in 2024, and it is growing with 5% of CAGR during 2025-2034.
 

Wheat cereal continued to dominate the cereal flour market, accounting for the largest share in both production and revenue. Their vast cultivation in temperate areas and versatility in bakery, pasta, and snack items further solidifies their dominion over the market. Following them, rice is now a significant contributor, especially in Asia, where it is a staple and becoming popular in gluten-free rice products.
 

Barley has a smaller share because it is mainly in animal feed and brewing, however it remains a necessity for some food products. Oats are growing in popularity because of health benefits as well as use in breakfast cereals, rye is in low demand due to specialty breads. Millet and sorghum, though less cultivated, are gaining interest due to their nutritional values, as well as their suitability for gluten-free diets.
 

• For instance, according to data China is one of the leading producers of wheat globally, with an output of 140.1 million metric tons which is roughly 18% of the global production. This will be followed closely by the European Union and India which is estimated to produce 122.12 million metric tons and 113.29 million metric tons respectively. Russia, the United States, Canada, and Australia are also major contributors to the production and supply of wheat. Following the trend, Pakistan, Ukraine and Turkey will round up the top ten producers further demonstrating the dominance of Asia and Europe on the wheat production landscape.
   

The bakery products segment was valued at USD 37.1 billion in 2024 and gained 5.0% CAGR from 2025 to 2034 with a market share of 27.5%.
 

The bakery products segment has dominantly captured the share of the cereal flour market. This superiority stems from the consumption patterns of bread, pastries, cakes, and biscuits in different societies. The availability of wheat flour aids in the preparation of these baked products which serve as the mainstay in households and bakeries.
 

Alongside these factors, there is a strong shift towards whole grain and gluten-free options which are considered much healthier, and these changes actively drive growth and diversification in the segment. The market demand is changing, and a lot of focus is placed on clean-label products and functional ingredients toward the consumers who are increasingly concerned with health matters. The ease of access to ready-to-eat, packaged, and even convenient microwavable baked goods also greatly strengthens the growth of the bakery products segment in the cereal flour market.
 

U.S. cereal flour market was valued at USD 30.6 billion in 2024 and growing at a 5.4% CAGR from 2025-2034.
 

The U.S. cereal flour industry showed a consistent performance supported by the bakery, snack food, and foodservice industry. Demand increased for specialty flours, particularly gluten-free and whole grain; however, traditional wheat flour still led to sales. This shift is primarily due to dietary choices and the concentration on health. The market withstood challenges such as raw material price fluctuations and heightened competition, as manufacturers dealt with these issues through innovation, cleaner labels, and collaboration targeted toward shifting consumer sentiments.

The U.S. produces the largest share of the North American cereal flour market. This is due to their well-established food processing industries and large consumer population. There are still more premium and value-added flour products to be marketed, such as organic and fortified.
 

In combination with sustainable nutrition, these factors are redefining consumer spending and manufacturer focus, which with the restrictive cap on exploration expenditure put a focus on green materials for packaging. This, alongside large-scale bakeries and diverse retail outlets which, along with the rest of the region, bolster competition and strengthen U.S. dominance provides impetus for innovation in US product lines while Canada and other parts of North America are gradually shifting focus into niche markets like ancient grains and non-traditional.
 

Cereal Flour Market Share

The cereal flour industry at the global level has intense competition with the top 5 corporations such as Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), Cargill Incorporation, General Mills, Inc., Bunge Limited, and Ardent Mills LLC serve as the cornerstone of the competitive landscape of the cereal flour industry.
 

Besides competing on the price level, these companies focus on several strategic areas such as product differentiation. fortified, and gluten-free, due to increased consumer focus on health and nutrition as well as specialty diets. Maintaining innovation improves the variety and quality of products offered and is crucial in capturing niche markets and remaining pertinent in mature market segments.
 

Moreover, for businesses such as Cargill or Bunge, who operate under vertically integrated structures that control costs and responsiveness, supply chain and global distribution efficiency constitutes important competitive advantages.
 

Sustainability and traceability are emerging as crucial product differentiators, and ADM along with Ardent Mills have been reported to use responsible sourcing and transparent processes for their ‘from grain to flour’ product lines, demonstrating investment in those areas. Also, brand loyalty, coupled with long-term partnerships with bakers and food retailers, constitutes a competitive advantage for General Mills and Ardent Mills, who are known for their enduring customer loyalty.
 

• For instance, ADM provides an extensive portfolio of cereal flours, specialty grained, and baking mixes that customer and market trends have shaped. ADM propels product development with sustained and responsible supply chain management, both of sophisticated research and development facilities and over a hundred years of milling experience. With programs like Grower Connect and a carbon-neutral milling network, ADM helps food producers achieve performance, transparency, and ESG objectives.
   

Cereal Flour Market Companies

Major players operating in the cereal flour industry are:

• ADM: By vertically integrating, ADM’s deep relationships with growers enable them to provide a diverse portfolio of specialty and core flours, including low-carbon and sustainably sourced ones. Through Grower Connect and regenerative agriculture programs, ADM cascades ESG compliance and greatly enhances transparency by linking the farm to the consumer. The company focuses on innovation supported by R&D via the HarvestEdge platform which enables develop tailored solutions for the health and clean-label markets. Through its technical and formulation services for baking, ADM also promotes rapid product development.
   
• Cargill Inc: Cargill's vertically integrated business is centered around worldwide in grain trading, flour milling, and flour marketing. Cargill has focused on incorporating clean-label and functional innovations into their flours. Cargill has entered numerous strategic partnerships to create high-fiber and plant-based flour alternatives. Digital traceability and sustainable supply chain model investments have bolstered customer relationships, particularly among large food service and retail clients. Through the installation of local mills and integration of advanced technologies, Cargill continues to broaden its flour products.
   
• General Mills: In addition to gluten-free innovations, they also emphasize whole grain flour, thus aligning with wellness trends. To enhance sourcing practices and achieving sustainability goals, General Mills integrates with regenerative farming networks. Their focus toward sustainability in the cereal flour industry, especially in Northern America, distinguishes them because of the high investments they made toward product transparency and storytelling from farm to shelf.
   
• Bunge: Bunge utilizes its global based agri-commodity network to offer both bulk and specialty cereal flours. Their strategy focuses on capitalizing on incremental movements amongst commercial bakers by offering integrated custom flour blends, fortified products, and other add-value products. To expand their scope regionally and vertically, Bunge acquired numerous milling companies. Sustainability serves as a differentiator under a branded ethical source which is supported by Bunge’s digital monitoring tools and supply chain traceability that strengthen customer engagement.
   
• Ardent Mills LLC: Ardent Mills focuses on flour innovation, offering a wide portfolio that spans traditional wheat flour to ancient grains, sprouted varieties, and gluten-free options. The company has launched innovation centers to accelerate product development in partnership with customers. It is actively involved in community-based regenerative agriculture programs, strengthening local sourcing and ESG commitments. Strategic joint ventures and supply agreements with major food manufacturers further reinforce its position as a partner-driven leader in the cereal flour industry.
   

Cereal Flour Industry News

• In January 2025, Sahuwala Cereals highlighted how innovation in flour milling has been driven by new product development, research, and sustainability efforts. The company focused on creating gluten-free and fortified flour, explored alternative grains, and invested in sustainable practices like using solar energy and recycled water. Research aimed at enhancing nutritional value and milling efficiency played a key role. Collaboration with industry experts also supported the creation of innovative and consumer-focused products.
   
• In December 2024, General Mills launched a range of innovative cereal and snack products in early 2024, reimagining popular brands with new twists. The lineup included Cheerios Veggie Blends, REESE’S PUFFS Peanut Butter Lovers, and Nature Valley Protein Smoothie Bars, among others. These products aimed to blend nostalgia with health-conscious trends, offering unique flavors and added nutritional value. The new offerings became available at retailers nationwide starting 2024.
   
• In August 2024, Ardent Mills announced an expansion of its Commerce City, Colorado mill to modernize the facility and support regional growth. The investment aimed to enhance efficiency, capacity, and capabilities in response to rising food demand in the Mountain West. The project reinforced Ardent Mills' long-term commitment to the local agricultural and manufacturing sectors. Groundbreaking was expected in summer 2025, with completion targeted by the end of 2026.
   
• In July 2023, Siemer Milling Company extended its 25-year partnership with The Krusteaz Company by signing a new 10-year supply agreement. It continued to supply 180 million pounds of flour annually, serving as the principal supplier for Krusteaz's Effingham, Illinois, and sole supplier for its Hopkinsville, Kentucky, facilities. The partnership emphasized strong local ties, mutual business growth, and operational integration through a direct pipeline system.
   

This cereal flour market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Billion) & volume (Kilo Tons) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

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Market, By Source Grain

• Wheat
  • Common wheat (Triticum aestivum)
  • Durum wheat (Triticum durum)
  • Other wheat varieties
• Corn (maize)
• Rice
  • White rice
  • Brown rice
  • Other rice varieties
• Barley
• Oats
• Rye
• Millet
• Sorghum
• Other cereal grains

Market, By Product Type

• Wheat flour
  • All-purpose flour
  • Bread flour
  • Cake flour
  • Pastry flour
  • Semolina
  •  other wheat flours
• Corn flour
  • Yellow corn flour
  • White corn flour
  • Masa harina
  • Corn meal
  •  other corn flours
•  Rice flour
  • White rice flour
  • Brown rice flour
  • Glutinous rice flour
  • Other rice flours
• Barley flour
• Oat flour
• Rye flour
• Millet flour
• Sorghum flour
• Multi-grain flour blends
• Other cereal flours

Market, By Processing Type

• Whole grain flours
• Refined flours
• Enriched & fortified flours
• Bleached flours
• Unbleached flours
• Self-rising flours
• Other processing types

Market, By Application

• Bakery products
  • Bread
  • Cakes & pastries
  • Cookies & biscuits
  • Other bakery products
• Pasta & noodles
  • Pasta
  • Instant noodles
  • Traditional noodles
  • Other pasta & noodle products
• Breakfast cereals
• Snack foods
  • Extruded snacks
  • Crackers
  • Other snack foods
• Soups, sauces & gravies
• Baby food
• Animal feed
• Other applications

Market, By End Use

• Food processing industry
  • Bakery & confectionery manufacturers
  • Pasta & noodle manufacturers
  • Breakfast cereal manufacturers
  • Snack food manufacturers
  • Other food processors
• Foodservice industry
  • Restaurants & cafes
  • Bakeries
  • Institutional catering
  • Other foodservice segments
• Retail/household consumption
• Animal feed industry
• Other end-uses

Market, By Distribution Channel

• B2B/direct sales
• Retail
  • Supermarkets & hypermarkets
  • Convenience stores
  • Specialty stores
  • Online retail
  • Other retail channels
• Wholesale/distributors
• Other distribution channels

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Netherlands
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Australia
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
• Middle East and Africa
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa