Rice Flour Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (White Rice & Brown Rice), By Application (Bakery and confectionary, Breakfast foods & Baby food), and Regional Forecast to 2032

RICE FLOURMARKET OVERVIEW

The global Rice Flour market size was USD 12.56 billion in 2021 and is projected to touch USD 20.8 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.36% during the forecast period.

The global rice flour market is currently in a phase of growth due to the improving gluten-free food demand and awareness over the health benefits of rice flour. Rice flour has the characteristic of being easily digestible and hypoallergenic, and it can be utilized across a wide range of bakery products, processed snack products, etc. Also, the shifting inclination towards organic and fortified rice flour expands its market demand.

GLOBAL CRISES IMPACTING RICE FLOUR MARKETCOVID-19 IMPACT

Rice Flour Industry Had a Positive Effect Due to home cooking during COVID-19 Pandemic

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the market experiencing higher-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden market growth reflected by the rise in CAGR is attributable to the market’s growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels.

The pandemic has helped the rice flour market as more people preferred home cooking and gluten-free goods, and rice flour is a perfect substitute for such clients. Since disruptions in the supply chain affected most of the global food supply, rice flour became very popular even as its market expanded. Moreover, factors such as an increased focus on health during the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing demand for natural and easy-to-digest food items such as rice flour have added to the market growth. Such demand led to the total growth of the rice flour market during the onset of the crisis.

LATEST TREND

"Market growth in rice flour is driven by organic, gluten-free trends"

The radical shift in the consumption pattern noted in the rice flour market is the customer shift toward using organic and natural gluten-free rice flour products. With the increased incidents of gluten intolerance or people choosing to go gluten-free, rice flour is getting popular as a replacement in various baked products and snacks. The organic segment is something that is being especially significant because now consumers pay attention to the clean label and non-GMO. Such a shift toward organic rice flour is changing product portfolios and impacting the manufacturers’ decisions.

RICE FLOUR MARKET SEGMENTATION

BY TYPE

Based on Type, the global market can be categorized into White Rice & Brown Rice

• White Rice Flour: This  is very commonly used in satisfying the need for bakery products, snacks, and sauces owing to their silky texture and bland flavor. It is often used for products free of gluten present in popular wheat flour and gives the deserved tenderness to recipes.
• Brown Rice Flour: This has a nutty taste and is denser than other grains, which is why it is used more in health and whole grain products. Use of brown rice flour can be associated with the consumption of gluten-free and organic products that have become trendy in the contemporary world

BY APPLICATION

Based on application, the global market can be categorized into Bakery and confectionary, Breakfast foods & Baby food

• Bakery and confectionary : Rice flour is used in bakery and confectionery applications through increasing demand due to the gluten-free and light texture of the products the flour enables, such as cakes, cookies, and pastries. It gives the food a ‘blank’ taste, which is ideal for both sweet and savory products in the food industry. Today, there is an increased use of rice flour by manufacturers who seek to capture the growing market in individuals who are allergic to wheat flour and other bakers’ products.
• Breakfast foods : Breakfast Foods is adding rice flour to their gluten-free cereals, pancakes, and waffles to follow the latest health trends and meet the needs of those customers who are sensitive to gluten and other allergens. Due to its low density and good palatability, it is used in the preparation of healthy, quick-cooking recipes. Newer trends to adopt gluten-free food have also helped to increase the consumption of rice flour in preparation of breakfast foods.
• Baby food: Rice flour is also considered useful in baby food because it is a hypoallergenic product that will be healthy for babies. It has all the necessary ingredients for the baby’s diet, yet it is not too harsh on the baby’s body, which is pretty important during the first year of a child’s development. Organic and normal rice flour-based baby food products are growing rapidly because health-conscious mothers prefer to feed their babies with rice flour-based products.

MARKET DYNAMICS

Market dynamics include driving and restraining factors, opportunities and challenges stating the market conditions.               

DRIVING FACTOR

"Market growth in rice flour is driven by rising gluten-free demand"

Gluten intolerance and celiac disease have become more rampant in the population as more and more people seek gluten-free products, wherein rice flour is a good option because it is naturally free of gluten. This trend of going gluten-free is driving the market demand as people look to obtain high-quality and convenient products for use in baking and preparing food. With an increase in the people’s understanding of how damaging gluten-related illnesses can be, the second purpose of rice flour crucially steps in to meet this need.

"Market growth in rice flour is fueled by increasing health consciousness"

Consumers are becoming conscious of their health, and this pressures food producers to include natural and less processed products such as rice flour. This other attribute makes it easy to digest, has minimal allergens, and is nutritious; therefore, it caters to the rising trend in the consumption of healthy foods. Rising focus on clean-label and health characteristics of food products which results in the rice flour market growth.

RESTRAINING FACTOR

"Market growth in rice flour is hindered by high production costs"

A key observable threat in the rice flour market is the fact that the cost of production is relatively higher than with other flour types such as wheat flour or corn flour. The preparation and purification of the rice to achieve the flour form may also be costly and thus may affect its availability a lot. Besides, other factors, such as changes in the supply and price of rice, also affect the cost of rice flour.

OPPORTUNITY

"Market growth in rice flour is driven by organic consumption trends"

The rising trend of more consumption of organic and clean-label food and beverages is the growth factor in the rice flour market. This will in turn lead to the development of a market for organic rice flour, especially amongst the health-conscious non-GMO consumers in the market. Also, the unveiling of new applications in different food products and beverages also opened up further market potential for growth. That is in line with this trend, which enables the producers to source for a bigger and more choosy market to appeal to.

CHALLENGE

"Market growth in rice flour is challenged by fluctuating rice prices"

Another problem of the rice flour market is the fluctuation in the price of the raw material, rice, owing to a number of factors, for example, climatic changes, crop production, and the policies of trade, among others. Hence, a fluctuating supply of rice affects the costs of rice flour, thus leading to an erratic price range and low profit margins for producers. Also, a threat has been identified in the necessity to compete with more cheap ingredients, such as other flours available in the market. Solving these challenges calls for good supply chain processes as well as sound pricing strategies.

RICE FLOUR MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

• NORTH AMERICA 

Market growth in rice flour is strongest in North America

North America has the biggest rice flour market, as it currently has the largest rice consumption, the largest food processing sector, and the fastest-growing gluten-free segment. The US, for instance, is a major market, and the United State Rice Flour Market is experiencing fast growth as rice flour is increasingly incorporated in bakery products, snacks, and other specialty food products in various dietary management. This growth is backed by increasing health consciousness and a large client base of food processors who use rice flour’s multiple functionalities.

• EUROPE

Market growth in rice flour is expanding rapidly in Europe

Europe is a region that also participates in the consumption of rice flour through increasing tendencies for healthy and gluten-free products on the territory of the region. Due to changes in consumers’ nutrition habits and the development of new products, the use of rice flour has expanded in various types of products. Also, many countries in Europe are currently funding technology in R&D to improve the functionality and quality of rice flour, which will see the market for this product increase immensely in the region.

• ASIA

Market growth in rice flour is driven by high demand in Asia

Asia holds remarkable hold in the rice flour market share as producer and consumer due to the typical and traditional use of rice-based products. The high practice of setting rice flour as the staple food, snack, and desert in the region contributes to a high demand in the market. Moreover, growth in urban population coupled with higher disposable income in Asian countries is enhancing the availability of rice flour in various foods, thus contributing towards market growth.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

"Market growth in rice flour is driven by innovation and quality"

A few of the pertinent strategies adopted to drive the rice flour market growth at present include new product formulation and the improvement of product quality to address changing customer needs. These firms take advantage of the current advanced processing technology and broaden their product offering to meet the increasing gluten-free and health-related needs of consumers. Its reach across the international markets as well as the aggressive market strategies added to the growth of the market.

LIST OF TOP RICE FLOUR COMPANIES

• Wilmar International Ltd. (Singapore)
• Associated British Foods (UK)
• BELOURTHE (Belgium)
• Ebro Foods S. A (Spain)
• Ingredion (US)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

January 2024: A notable recent development in the rice flour market is the launch of the Nippon Flour Mills Co., Ltd. Rice Flour. Nippon Flour Mills, a major player in the food ingredient sector, introduced this product to cater to increasing consumer demand for gluten-free and allergen-friendly alternatives. This development reflects the broader trend towards healthier and specialized food products in the rice flour industry.

REPORT COVERAGE

The study encompasses a comprehensive SWOT analysis and provides insights into future developments within the market. It examines various factors that contribute to the growth of the market, exploring a wide range of market categories and potential applications that may impact its trajectory in the coming years. The analysis takes into account both current trends and historical turning points, providing a holistic understanding of the market's components and identifying potential areas for growth.

This research report examines the segmentation of the market by using both quantitative and qualitative methods to provide a thorough analysis that also evaluates the influence of strategic and financial perspectives on the market. Additionally, the report's regional assessments consider the dominant supply and demand forces that impact market growth. The competitive landscape is detailed meticulously, including shares of significant market competitors. The report incorporates unconventional research techniques, methodologies and key strategies tailored for the anticipated frame of time. Overall, it offers valuable and comprehensive insights into the market dynamics professionally and understandably.