Rice Flour Market

Global Rice Flour Market Size (2024 to 2032)

The Global Rice Flour Market size is expected to be valued at USD 0.81 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to reach USD 1.15 billion by 2032 with a CAGR of 4.5% in the forecast period 2024 to 2032.

Current Scenario of the Global Rice Flour Market  

The global rice flour market witnessed notable market share in the past years and is anticipated to have significant growth during the forecast period.

The escalating demand for gluten-free products, rising health concerns among the people, enlarging food and beverages industry worldwide are all providing market growth opportunities. The growing innovations, technological advancements in the cultivation of rice, growing vegan population worldwide are accelerating demand for the rice flour in various regions which drives the market growth. Organic and nutrient-rich rice flour is gaining traction among people, and the growing demand for bakery products fuels the market size growth.   

• According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, in 2024-25, rice production globally as of October 2024 is estimated to hit an all-time high of 539.2 million tons (based on milled), an increase of 0.9 per cent against the revised 2023/24 forecast and 2.2 million tons over estimated in September.

Rice flour is prepared by grinding the rice grains into a coarse or fine powder. Rice flour is commonly used as a substitute for wheat flour because of no gluten. Simultaneously, rice flour is used in sauces, soups, and gravies as a thickening agent. Rice flour contains choline, which is necessary to maintain the vital components of the membranes. Rice flour is used in the preparation of baked goods, rice noodles, and desserts, which is anticipated to accelerate the global rice flour market in the future.

However, present factors influencing consumption, especially concerning wellness and health, have been fuelling trends for the decreased consumption of cereals, specially rice, because of their commonly high glycaemic index (GIs) and resultant repercussions on obesity.

MARKET DRIVERS

This expanding inclination for sans-gluten food items will be a noteworthy factor filling natural rice flour market development in the coming years.  

The expanding mindfulness about gluten-free items has powered the interest in natural rice flour, particularly from purchasers experiencing gluten intolerance and celiac sickness, which contributed majorly to global market expansion. Gluten affectability can prompt stomach-related problems, irritation, swelling of the small digestive tract, cerebral pain, obstruction, runs, weight reduction, and consideration shortage hyperactivity issues (ADHD). Also, the inaccessibility of a particular remedy for celiac ailment has additionally constrained shoppers to change to a gluten-free diet.

With the developing concern about nature and animals, government assistance has helped the fame of organic food items such as pet and animal feed, driving the global market growth.

Natural cultivating includes the utilization of natural composts, herbicides, fungicides, and other everyday ingredients, which improve the efficiency of land and the nature of the developed harvests. Government impetuses will additionally urge ranchers to receive natural growing strategies. The development of natural cultivating, combined with rising ecological concerns, will be necessary for rice flour market patterns, driving the market's growth at a CAGR of nearly 8% during the estimated time frame.  

The expanding mindfulness about celiac sicknesses due to using grains, such as grain, rye, and wheat, has prompted interest in non-gluten items. There is right now no solution for celiac sickness, and changing to a gluten-free diet comes as the leading choice to abstain from building up the condition. This has prompted the development of sought-after gluten-free food items, such as rice flour, which is relied upon to increase during the gauge time frame. This will drive the development of the global rice flour market over the conjecture time frame. One of the significant difficulties in developing the global rice flour market is the unpredictability of the value of grains because of climatic changes. Inconsistencies in the atmosphere and occasional varieties fundamentally influence crops, unfavorably affecting agricultural yields in numerous locales and, ultimately, bringing about variations in contribution just as yield costs. In addition, fluctuating expenses of vitality, synthetic compounds, and composts additionally lead to instability in the expenses of yields.  

The expanding reception and acknowledgment of natural-based rice flour are significant market patterns. Natural rice flour is produced using naturally developed rice, liberated from manures, pesticides, additives, and cancer-causing agents. Wellbeing cognizant shoppers are progressively searching for natural and regular ingredients. They are searching for clean names, non-GMO, and without-hormone food items. This pattern has urged sellers to dispatch natural creation activities. The rice flour market estimate report predicts the market will develop at a CAGR of nearly 6% during the forecast time. 

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Technological advancements coupled with gluten-free items are expected to significantly boost the efficiency of mills, which will accelerate the expansion rate of the rice flour market. In the last few years, it's got support or popularity as a wheat substitute because of the surging allergy and health problems. For a long time, rice has been the staple food, however, dietary trends have resulted in a reduction in consumption. But, the demand for rice flour has surged in countries like Japan and others. The Japanese people consume gluten-free rice and also use it in making other food items. Moreover, there are surging cases of consumers with allergies. So, given the growing awareness of healthy lifestyles, and eating habits, gluten-free rice presents a potential opportunity for the market players to capitalize on this trend.

• For instance, in February 2024, Satake introduced a new model of milling machine for rice called the SSW60A/100A (SATAKE SPIRAL WHITENER). This SSW machine series is designed to mill rice more kindly and uses the state-of-the-art abrasive form milling of Satake which provides better outcomes than the VTA series.

MARKET CHALLENGES

Production issues, environmental challenges, and increasing consumption impedes the growth of the rice flour market.

• According to research, the rice landscape in prominent producing nations is encountering the biggest shortage in 2 decades, estimating a shortfall of 8.7 million metric tons in 2023.

Ecological problems, comprising of the EL Nino occurrence, affect key producers like India and China, which ultimately hampers the market growth. Along with higher input costs, supply chain interruptions, and export restrictions, this impacts more than 3.5 billion consumers worldwide, focusing on the requirement for prompt action to maintain a steady supply of rice and secure global food security.

Despite the estimate being comparatively firm, rice consumption continues to rise. The expanding world’s population, combined with escalating food demand, has amplified the necessity for rice as a staple food. And, this remains a challenge for the market players to fulfil demand. Besides these, changes in eating habits and higher income levels worldwide have further intensified the consumption of rice, particularly in nations experiencing economic progress.

REPORT COVERAGE

SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS

Global Rice Flour Analysis By Product Type

The rice flour segment held the most significant global market revenue share and is anticipated to have a prominent growth rate in the coming years.

White rice is in high demand due to its high fiber content, which helps in expelling waste from the body. High-fiber foods are estimated to maintain low cholesterol by offering various other health benefits, propelling the segment's growth.  The brown rice flour segment is expected to grow moderately in the coming years due to rising demand for brown rice due to its low cholesterol levels. 

Global Rice Flour Analysis By Application

The bakery and bread products segment dominated the global rice flour market revenue with a notable market share—the increased demand for rice flour in bakery and confectionery applications propels the segment growth.

Rising demand for gluten-free baking mixes is enhancing the use of rice flour as a substitute for wheat flour, fueling the segment's growth. Other segments, such as rice noodles and rice pasta, are estimated to have a considerable growth rate in the coming years due to the huge demand for these products in the Asia Pacific region.  

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

As of now, the market in the Asia Pacific records for the most elevated offer in the global rice flour market in income terms, inferable from high per capita utilization of rice flour in rising economies in the district.

The market in Europe represented the second-most elevated income share in the worldwide rice flour market, because of the high utilization of rice and appeal for confectionery items, trailed by business sectors in North America, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa separately. The market in the Asia Pacific is anticipated to observe the quickest development regarding income, inferable from expanding rice creation, and developing mindfulness about the utilization of natural nourishment items in the area. Also, the business sectors in Latin America and the Middle East and Africa are relied upon to observe moderate development over the estimated time frame. Likewise, income from the market in the Middle East and Africa is anticipated to enlist a notable CAGR over the next few years. 

The Asia Pacific dominated the global rice flour market with significant market revenue, followed by North American.

Rice flour is the common ingredient used in various cuisines in Southeast Asia, where highly preferred foods such as rice cake, egg-roll wrappers, dumplings, edible rice paper, and rice noodles propel Asia Pacific regional market growth. The rapid urbanization and a rise in demand for convenient meal options boost the regional market share growth. The escalating population pool, growing vegan population, expanding food and beverages industry across the region, rising health concerns, and dietary preferences are augmenting the market growth in the region. The rising awareness regarding the health benefits of rice flour is enhancing its preference in diverse food preparations across the Asia Pacific region. The emphasis on sustainable practices in rice cultivation and flour production in the region is accelerating the revenue of the rice flour market in the Asia Pacific. Increasing cases of gluten intolerance and celiac diseases among Japanese people are escalating the demand for rice flour in the country, positively impacting the regional market growth.  

The North American region contributed to the second position in the global market due to the growing demand for rice flour in the bakery industry.

The growing demand for rice flour in bakery applications, as most people are seeking baking mix, will boost the market growth in the region. There is a high demand for bakery products in the United States and Canada, positively impacting regional market growth.  

The European region is estimated to have a prominent growth rate during the forecast period.

Sales of rice flour in Germany are anticipated to grow with a significant CAGR in the coming years due to its high utilization in confectionery products.

KEY PLAYERS IN THE RICE FLOUR MARKET 

Major Key Players in the Global Rice Flour Market are Burapa Prosper, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Thai Flour Industry, Ardent Mills Canada, Rose Brand, ConAgra Foods, Inc, Koda Farms, Associated British Foods plc, Lieng Tong, General Mills Inc, Pornkamon Rice Flour Mills

RECENT HAPPENINGS IN THE MARKET

• In September 2024, a study published in MDPI determined a white-core endosperm mutant (wcr) stemmed from the Sasanishiki variety of rice using tissue culture. The expression analysis discovered that wcr impacts both genes included in starch metabolism and downregulated expression degrees or grades of genes linked with the synthesis of storage protein. In total, wcr performs an important part as a regulator element influencing starch metabolism and protein synthesis in rice grains.

• In April 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, & Rural Affairs (MAFRA), South Korea, took the next step in its national "Rice Product Development Project" by collaborating with 15 prominent local food and beverage firms. The ministry announced its plan to create 19 new rice-based products this year.  

• In October 2021, Cargill launched a maltodextrin substitute based on rice flour. Cargill's new soluble SimPure rice flour is a clean-label ingredient similar to maltodextrin in taste, texture, and functionality. According to the manufacturer, this component can replace maltodextrin in a 1:1 ratio and also improve the mouthfeel.  

• In December 2019, the provider of rice and old grains, Western Foods, LLC, acquired American Sunny Foods, Inc., a Stockton, California-based rice flour maker. Located in California's median rice-growing region, Western Foods supplies various gluten-free and allergen-free products to food processors worldwide. 

DETAILED SEGMENTATION OF GLOBAL RICE FLOUR MARKET INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT   

This research report on the global Rice Flour Market has been segmented and sub-segmented based on Product Type, Application & region. 

By Product Type

• Rice Flour
• Brown Rice Flour
• Glutinous Rice Flour
• Others

Rice flour has the largest market due to rice in its usage in bakeries and sweets.

By Application

• Rice Noodle
• Rice Pasta
• Sweets and Desserts
• Snacks
• Bakery and Bread Products
• Thickening Agent
• Animal Feed
• Pet Food
• Non-Food

Non-food applications consist of biomaterials, glue, and bioplastics. Other application segments include baby food and roux. Bakery and bread products are the fastest-growing applications in the market.

By Region

• North America
• Europe 
• The Asia Pacific 
• Latin America 
• The Middle East and Africa